Sealed Biogas Digester With Solar Heating and Agitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anaerobic lagoons used for managing animal waste are prone to environmental damage due to offensive odors and risk of rupture, causing environmental contamination when they leak.
Innovation Solution
A closed-system biogas generator that uses anaerobic digestion to convert biological waste into methane and fertilizer, powered by solar energy, which includes a sealed tank with agitators to prevent crust formation and a solar power system for heating, eliminating the need for external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If anaerobic lagoons are used to manage animal waste, then waste disposal is achieved, but offensive odors and environmental contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful gaseous byproducts (odors, methane, carbon dioxide) from the anaerobic digestion process through dedicated gas collection pipes and vents. The sealed digester design captures these gases before they can escape into the environment, allowing them to be either utilized as biogas or safely vented, thereby eliminating the offensive odor problem while maintaining waste disposal functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sealed digester system between the waste input and the environment. This intermediate containment structure processes the waste anaerobically while controlling the release of harmful substances. The digester acts as a mediator that transforms raw waste into useful biogas and nutrient-rich effluent, preventing direct contact between the harmful waste and the external environment
2Ease of manufacture
If anaerobic lagoons are used to manage animal waste, then waste disposal is achieved, but risk of rupture and environmental contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a above-ground modular digester system that can be easily replaced or maintained if issues arise, rather than relying on permanent underground lagoons that are difficult to repair. The modular design allows for easier monitoring and intervention before catastrophic failure occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates gas collection and pressure management mechanisms that provide feedback on the state of digestion and gas accumulation. This allows for monitoring and adjustment of the system to prevent over-pressurization and potential rupture, enhancing the reliability of waste disposal
3Productivity
If solar panels and heat exchangers are added to heat waste material, then digestion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels serve multiple functions: they generate electricity to power the pump and provide thermal energy to heat the waste material through the heat exchanger. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the solar electricity generation function and solar thermal heating function into a unified solar energy system. The same solar panels that generate electrical power also provide thermal energy through integrated heat exchangers, merging two separate systems into one cohesive unit that improves digestion efficiency while minimizing additional complexity
4Ease of operation
If pumps are used to pump material through the system, then material circulation is improved, but external power sources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-sufficient by using the solar panels to generate the electricity needed to power the pump. The pump that circulates material through the system is driven by solar-generated power, making the system self-service in terms of energy production and eliminating dependence on external power sources
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
The system effectively manages animal waste by producing biogas for heating and fertilizer, reducing odor emissions and environmental risks while providing a self-sustaining energy solution.
Implementation Method 1
The solar cells generate electricity to operate the pumps
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchangers are connected to one or more solar panels disposed outside the tank via pipes, and are used to heat the waste material in the tank
Implementation Method 3
The solar panel heats a liquid, such as glycol, which is then pumped through the heat exchangers to heat the waste material
Implementation Method 4
The generator uses anaerobic digestion to convert biological waste material into a biogas, such as methane
Data Source
AI summary
A biogas generator employs an anaerobic digestion process to convert organic waste material within a sealed reservoir to a biogas. A solar thermal panel connected to the reservoir heats a fluid traveling through a conduit, which is connected to a heat exchanger within the reservoir. The heated fluid travels through the heat exchanger and heats the waste material to facilitate the anaerobic digestion process. Solar cells produce electricity to operate one or more pumps that pump the heated fluid through the conduit, and pump the waste material and the generated biogas, into and out of the reservoir. A rotating lid structure has elongated agitators which extend into the reservoir.