Anaerobic Digester Membrane Separation for Low-Cost Farm Biogas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anaerobic digestion systems are not economically feasible for small- to mid-sized farms due to high investment costs, leading to underutilization of biomethane production from biomass sources like animal manure and grass cuttings, which could potentially generate significant zero-carbon energy.
Innovation Solution
A mobile biogas processing plant and anaerobic digester system with a semi-permeable membrane for methane and CO2 separation, combined with a logistics management system to optimize biogas collection and processing, allowing for efficient separation and liquefaction of methane and CO2, and enabling remote monitoring and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large installations are invested in for anaerobic digestion, then methane production capability is improved, but investment cost increases making it uneconomical for small- to mid-sized farms
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the anaerobic digestion infrastructure into modular components: above-ground digesters can be scaled independently, biogas storage containers are separate from processing equipment, and the mobile processing plant can be deployed independently. This segmentation allows small- to mid-sized farms to invest only in the digesters needed for their scale, while accessing centralized processing capabilities through the mobile plant, thereby reducing upfront capital costs while maintaining methane production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile biogas processing plant serves as an intermediary between multiple small- to mid-sized farms and the centralized biogas processing infrastructure. Instead of each farm requiring its own large-scale processing installation, the mobile plant travels between farms, collecting and processing biogas centrally. This intermediary approach allows individual farms to produce methane at their scale without bearing the full investment cost of large processing installations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If biogas is stored and processed on-site, then energy utilization is improved, but system complexity and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static on-site processing to dynamic mobile processing. The mobile biogas processing plant travels between farms, adapting the processing location to the biomass source rather than requiring permanent infrastructure at each farm. This dynamic approach reduces system complexity at individual farm sites while maintaining effective energy utilization through centralized processing of collected biogas.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex processing and purification equipment is extracted from individual farm sites and consolidated into the mobile processing plant. Farms only need to install relatively simple above-ground digesters and storage containers, while the mobile plant carries the sophisticated processing equipment needed for methane production. This extraction reduces on-site system complexity while preserving energy utilization benefits through centralized processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If semi-permeable membranes are used for gas separation, then methane purity is improved, but membrane material cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs semi-permeable membranes as thin film barriers within the biogas storage container to separate methane from carbon dioxide. These flexible membrane structures provide effective gas separation at relatively low cost compared to rigid high-purity separation equipment. The membranes are integrated into the existing storage container design, avoiding the need for expensive specialized separation equipment while achieving sufficient methane purity for fuel applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables small- to mid-sized farms to economically utilize anaerobic digestion by reducing capital costs and optimizing biogas processing, allowing for the exploitation of biomethane potential and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a biogas storage container comprising a semi-permeable membrane separating the biogas storage container into a first space and a second space, such that the first space is configured to be methane enriched and the second space is configured to be CO2 enriched
Implementation Method 2
the cover positioned over the biogas storage container is transparent, and is configured to provide passive solar heating to the biogas storage container
Implementation Method 3
Anaerobic digestion is a process that can be used to convert a wide range of biomass materials into methane and carbon dioxide gases
Data Source
AI summary
An anaerobic digester is provided. The anaerobic digester includes a biogas storage container comprising a semi-permeable membrane separating the biogas storage container into a first space and a second space, such that the first space is configured to be methane enriched and the second space is configured to be CO2 enriched. The anaerobic digester further includes a cover positioned over the biogas storage container for protecting the biogas storage container against the elements.