Large Biogas Plants Research Articles

Method of determining volume yield of biogas during experimental research in biogas technologies

The article deals with the issue of determining the volume of biogas produced during experimental studies during the entire cycle of anaerobic fermentation of organic matter in biogas reactors. The design of the device for determining the volume of biogas produced during the period of the complete cycle of anaerobic fermentation of organic matter in biogas reactors is proposed and given. The use of the proposed device is aimed at both small and large biogas plants, in laboratory conditions and at production facilities. Mathematical dependences are presented, which allow to calculate the volume of biogas determined by the device given in the work. The results of the study of the device using 3D modeling in the Solidworks application program in the Flow Simulation package are presented. The result of the 3D modeling is the graphical dependence of the pressure distribution in the tubes of the measuring device, namely the gas pipeline and the Pitot tube, with the subsequent establishment of the amount of biogas passed through the measuring device in a certain time interval. The work noted a high convergence of the comparative analysis of the data obtained during 3D modeling and calculated analytically. Considered in the article, the main issues of the proposed method of determining the produced volume of biogas during experimental research will allow to increase the accuracy of the research work of scientists, organizations and enterprises in the field of biogas technologies and registration of the produced volume of biogas.

Comparative cost analysis of Synthetic Natural Gas distribution pathways in the context of Nepal

Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) produced using Green Hydrogen, and carbon dioxide not only helps to reduce the harmful greenhouse gas emission but also can help Nepal to reduce its dependency on imports for fuel used in the industrial sector. For Nepal to utilize its full potential in Green Hydrogen for industries and household cooking, SNG can be an attractive alternative due to its storage, transmission, and controlled combustion advantages. Europe has been a frontier in SNG production, relying on its already-built Natural Gas network for distribution. Unlike Europe, Nepal doesn’t have any previously built gas pipeline network. Large biogas plants distribute the produced gaseous bio-CNG in cylinders. But unlike LPG, which can be liquified through pressurization (836 kPa at 20°C) only, SNG can only be liquified cryogenically (-162°C at 20 kPa), which requires a tremendous amount of energy. This study compares the costs of the distribution of SNG in gaseous form through gas pipelines and cylinders. A case study is performed in the Butwal Industrial Area of Nepal, in which data is gathered from primary and secondary sources to design the gas pipeline network and estimate the costs associated with distributing SNG using both pipelines and cylinders. It has been found that the capital cost (CAPEX) and the annual operating cost (OPEX) are significantly lower for pipeline distribution compared to the distribution using cylinders. The Net Present Value (NPV) of total costs for pipeline distribution was found to be NPR 12,002,821 compared to NPV of NPR 35,417,390 for cylinder distribution. Hence, distributing produced SNG using pipelines is more cost-effective than distributing using cylinders inside the industrial area of Nepal.

Financial and functionality analysis of a biogas plant in Bangladesh

Installation of a biogas plant in a rural region has become a viable alternative energy source with a variety of health and environmental advantages. Though Bangladesh has enormous resources for biogas production, biogas energy production is infancy stage in Bangladesh. The study aims to explore the economic aspect of household-level biogas plants and determine the relationship between biogas plant functionality and different factors. For doing this, 300 biogas plant owners were interviewed from fifteen Upazilla in Bangladesh and respondents were chosen by a two-stage random sampling technique. The study shows by measuring partial budgeting, USD 294.80 per year can be earned by a family by introducing biogas plant. Cost-benefit analysis showed that a small biogas plant (USD 143.07/year) was most profitable, followed by a large biogas plant (USD 142.17/year). In discounted cost-benefit analysis, medium size biogas plant was found to be the most beneficial investment, followed by a small size biogas plant. Average NPV, BCR, PBP, and IRR of Biogas plant were USD 1629.11, 1.77, 2.93, and 48% with subsidy where USD 1525.25, 1.77, 3.75, and 43% without subsidy. The measurement of carbon trading also highlights the economic benefit of a biogas plant in Bangladesh. The bivariate relationship between the functionality of biogas plants with different factors highlights that higher educated, trained plant owners with quality mason and follow up services ensured the efficient operation of the biogas plant.

MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL POST-PRODUCTION RESIDUES FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION IN RURAL AREAS - A CASE STUDY

The paper shows - from the point of view of the need to increase the share of energy obtained from renewable sources, examples of "good energy practices" for four locations. This goal is primarily related to the reduction of climate changes caused by high GHG emissions - but also fits in the "zero waste" strategy in the case of using post-production biomass as an energy source. Examples are described showing four RES installations in operation - two at the farm level and two at the municipal level. The data for the individual installations are summarized. All the described installations are located in north-eastern Poland - in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Biogas installations in two farms are described - one micro installation and one large. A large installation has a power of 0.999 MWe and 1.1 MWt, and a small one – 11 kW of electric and thermal power. In the case of a large biogas plant, the investment cost for W is 21% of the investment cost for a micro biogas plant. Operating costs of biogas plant operation in relation to the installed capacity - micro-scale biogas plants are only 59% of costs for a large biogas plant. It was shown how a particularly large biogas plant can cooperate with the local community - by distributing heat from cogeneration to the municipal heat network. On the other hand, two municipalities that have invested in ecological heat sources are described. In one case, it is biomass-fired boilers - providing some of the residents of the commune and communal buildings with domestic hot water. and central heating - and in the second - installation of heat pumps to cover the needs of the municipal school. These examples show that it is possible to implement such solutions. At the same time - local communities, which are often opposed to investing in renewable energy source (RES) in their vicinity, should be made aware of what social, energy and general benefits are associated with such solutions. Due to the calculated factor of 0.2% of biogas installations in relation to the number of potential farms where such installations are possible and justified - the promotion of such "good energy practices" is absolutely necessary.

TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONALLY HOMOGENEOUS GROUPS OF BIOGAS INSTALLATIONS

The most common method of obtaining energy from biomass is anaerobic fermentation of agricultural waste. There are enough technical options for the implementation of biomass methanogenesis, starting with structurally simple ones and ending with technologically perfect installations of continuous operation using modern means of automation. Therefore, at the design stage, it is necessary to solve a set of problems related to the development and processing of initial information for the analysis and synthesis of optimal system options. The purpose of the study is to develop a technique for technical and economic assessment of functionally homogeneous groups of biogas plants. When choosing parameters of systems that ensure minimum costs for production and operation, it is suggested to apply parametric series for functionally homogeneous groups of biogas plants - ordered sets of numerical values of certain features characterizing their structural and operational properties. In order to influence the main factors on economic efficiency, the series are expressed by dependencies that are approximated by the corresponding functions. The problem must be solved as an extremal one and reduced to the minimization of some functional. Economic reasons are determined: the need for equipment, the cost of developing the latest samples and their operation. The use of complex methods to select the optimal type of biogas plants is not always advisable. More simple and fairly accurate methods are based on a feasibility study. At the same time, economic feasibility can be expressed by two criteria: maximum profit and minimum costs. The technical and economic analysis of parametric series is reduced to the search for the optimal series, which gives the greatest economic effect for large biogas plants and a minimum of capital costs for small ones. The application of this calculation method will significantly reduce the time for designing biogas plants and provide optimal technical and economic indicators.

The biogas dilemma: An analysis on the social approval of large new plants

• The paper investigates the degree of social acceptance of biogas. • The determinants of citizens’ perception of new biomass plants. • Two waves of surveys has handed out in order to assess an empirical strategy. • The paper provides some insights on the social acceptability of biogas. • Results assessed the biogas acceptability. The degree of social acceptance of biogas as a renewable green energy source is still somewhat disregarded. Although many initiatives have focused on the construction of new biogas plants around the world, local protests on the construction of new plants often arise. This study aims to analyse the determinants of citizens’ perceptions regarding the construction of new biomass plants in their neighbouring areas. In particular, the focus is on prior knowledge of the production process of biogas as well as on other individual characteristics. The investigation is based on two repeated surveys conducted among the population living in two Italian areas where the construction of new large biogas plants were planned (the provinces of Oristano and Andria). The first survey analyses the main variables correlated with the degree of biogas acceptability particularly the biogas knowledge. The second survey (differentiated in two waves) focuses on the role of participatory processes and information campaigns undertaken by policy makers and environmental associations to increase the social acceptance of communities regarding the construction of new biogas plants.

Prospects of state support of the development of the biomethane industry in Ukraine until 2040

The paper considers the prospects for the state support for the development of biomethane industry in Ukraine from 2025 to 2040. The main financial incentives for the use of biomass-derived energy are a special tariff for heat from sources other than natural gas, and a feed-in tariff (the auction price in the future). In the EU, biomethane production is gaining ground due to available financial incentives (premiums to the cost of natural gas, and feed-in premiums). The main obstacle to the large-scale spread of biogas (and, accordingly, biomethane) is the high cost of equipment. The amounts of state support for biogas production with its purification to biomethane and supply of the latter to the gas transmission and gas distribution networks under the conditions of biomethane production in the amounts provided by the draft Roadmap for Bioenergy Development in Ukraine until 2050 were assessed. While maintaining the price of natural gas at 2021 prices (EUR 0.24/m3), the need to subsidize biomethane production from 2025 to 2040 can reach EUR 0.263-3.5 billion, on average EUR 16.5-217 million per year. Infrastructure expenditures were not taken into account in the assessment. The possibility of electricity output from biomethane was not considered, as biogas refining to the quality of biomethane requires additional funds. The statutory auction price may be sufficient only for certain types of feedstock and for large biogas plants. The use of biomethane may be appropriate in the transport sector, as biomethane is an "advanced biofuel", and Ukraine already has a relatively extensive network of methane filling stations. Biomethane production in Ukraine will require state support, particularly in the form of direct subsidies to biomethane producers (in the form of premium to the price of natural gas), and in the form of a premium to the auction price. The use of biomethane will partially reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, being also an important element in the decarbonization of sectors using natural gas, replacing up to 0.76 billion m3 of the latter in 2040, which is in line with the global leading decarbonization trends.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ДЕРЖАВНОЇ ПІДТРИМКИ РОЗВИТКУ ГАЛУЗІ БІОМЕТАНУ В УКРАЇНІ ДО 2040 РОКУ

The paper considers the prospects for the state support for the development of biomethane industry in Ukraine from 2025 to 2040. The main financial incentives for the use of biomass-derived energy are a special tariff for heat from sources other than natural gas, and a feed-in tariff (the auction price in the future). In the EU, biomethane production is gaining ground due to available financial incentives (premiums to the cost of natural gas, and premiums to feed-in tariff). The main obstacle to the large-scale spread of biogas (and, accordingly, biomethane) is the high cost of equipment. The amounts of state support for biogas production with its purification to biomethane and supply of the latter to the gas transmission and gas distribution networks under the conditions of biomethane production in the amounts provided by the draft Roadmap for Bioenergy Development in Ukraine until 2050 were assessed. While maintaining the price of natural gas at the level of prices of 2021 (EUR 0.24/m3), the need to subsidize biomethane production from 2025 to 2040 can reach EUR 0.263-3.5 billion, on average EUR 16.5-217 million per year. Infrastructure expenditures were not taken into account in the assessment. The possibility of electricity output from biomethane was not considered, as biogas refining to the quality of biomethane requires additional funds. The statutory auction price may be sufficient only for certain types of feedstock and for large biogas plants. The use of biomethane may be appropriate in the transport sector, as biomethane is an "advanced biofuel", and Ukraine already has a relatively extensive network of methane filling stations. Biomethane production in Ukraine will require state support, particularly in the form of direct subsidies to biomethane producers (in the form of premium to the price of natural gas), and in the form of a premium to the auction price. The use of biomethane will partially reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, being also an important element in the decarbonization of sectors using natural gas, replacing up to 0.76 billion m3 of the latter in 2040, which is in line with the global leading decarbonization trends.

The replacement of maize (Zea mays L.) by cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) as biogas substrate and its implications for the energy and material flows of a large biogas plant

AbstractExcessive cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.) as a biogas substrate has fired debate about potential land‐use change effects of bioenergy cropping systems. Cup plant ( Silphium perfoliatum L.) is a perennial biogas crop that provides more environmental services than maize. This study investigated (i) how to replace maize with cup plant as a biogas substrate in a large‐scale biogas plant located in southwest Germany, and (ii) how to optimize the energy and material cycles of such a biogas plant given the new feedstock. The biogas plant produces 1000 m3 biogas per hour with plans for it to be combined with a large dairy farm (1000 dairy units). It was found that the substitution of maize with cup plant as a biogas substrate results in a methane yield reduction of 10% to 20% due to lower biomass yields. However, there exists a strong potential to increase both biomass yields and biogas substrate quality of cup plant by optimizing establishment procedures and better genotypes. Furthermore, cup plant provides food and shelter for open land animals, including birds and insects, and could hence be a suitable alternative to maize for large biogas plants, being more environmentally beneficial. Extracting proteins from cup‐plant biomass could also help replace soy with locally produced protein for feeding cattle. Hydrothermal carbonization is a promising tool for closing nutrient cycles and for extracting phosphate from digestate, but more research is needed before it can be put into practice. © 2020 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Impact of biogas plants on rural residential property values and implications for local acceptance

In this paper, we investigate the impact of large- and farm-scale biogas plants on the rural residential property values. We use data from 11,279 rural housing transactions in the period 2007–2015 and trace spatial effects of biogas plants on the local property market. Our results show that large biogas plants have a significant negative impact on rural residential property values while farm-scale biogas plants have a significant positive impact. The findings suggest that preferences for or against biogas plants cannot be explained by either a NIMBY or a PIMBY phenomenon and the paper explores potential reasons for the observed disparity in valuation of farm- and large-scale biogas plants. An economic impact assessment of the choice of facility type, based on a concrete case study, indicates that the impact on residential property values may tip the scale in favor of farm-scale biogas plants. Based on these results, policy implications for planning and expansion of biogas production are discussed.

Modelling of Emissions from Large Biogas Plants

Abstract The main objective of the “Guidelines for the development of agricultural biogas plants in Poland within 2010-2020”, is a construction of biogas plants processing agricultural biomass resources with suitable conditions in each municipality. In the Czech Republic produces about 6.5% of energy from renewable sources. Biogas plants give - contrary to solar and wind electricity stations - the stable performance throughout the whole year. Biomass should be a key source for achieving the Czech EU commitment to produce 13% of energy from renewable sources in 2020. The experience, where 317 Agricultural biogas plants are currently in operation, has shown that there are considerable problems with a proper location of newly designed agricultural biogas plants in the landscape. The Czech-Polish border area is mainly flat wooded recreation region. For these reasons, the Gaussian model SYMOS’97 (version 2013), adapted for odour dispersion modelling from large agricultural sources is supposed to be suitable for this area. It is appropriate for training of students. For these reasons, students from the University of Hradec Kralove and the University of Opole in the frame of their academic exchange and professional internships are acquainted with the technological principles of biogas plants and in environmental mathematical and statistical modelling of the spread of emissions from large industrial and agricultural sources. In this article we present methods for education on these professional areas.

Energetski potencijali tečnog stajnjaka

As a free and potentially toxic substances, solid and liquid manures of domestic livestock production are favorable digestate of small and large biogas plants. Vojvodina has a great potential of solid and liquid manure, as well as biomass in the form of resources for cogeneration of biogas into electrical and thermal energy. In accordance to that, as well as the increasing tendency of the need to heat and electricity, efficiency of the mentioned resources is low. Biogas production stabilizes manure. Thereby, for the most part, methane and carbon dioxide are emitted. Effluent, like the rest of the fermentation, contains approximately the same, but significantly easier adoptable form of nitrogen for plant life compared to raw manure. Controlled production of biogas, with its efficient use, provides features: environmental protection, suitable alternative energy resources, and thus significant support to national economy development of rural areas. The high capital investment for the formation of larger cogeneration biogas plant in Serbia necessitate the development of smaller digester systems, as integral parts of cattle, swine and poultry medium capacity farms.

Spatial competition for biogas production using insights from retail location models

Biogas production is an important contemporary topic within agriculture as well as bioenergy production, both from an industrial and an academic point of view. The Danish biogas sector, which has been around for many years, is still struggling to establish itself as an economically viable energy production sector. Through a two-step approach by combining a location-allocation model with a production constrained spatial interaction model, this paper addresses the dual problem of determining optimal location and production capacity. What-if scenarios, in combination with the strategic economic analysis framework developed in this paper, facilitate the analysis and discussion of how national policies can be fulfilled.The capacity expansion of the Danish biogas sector should be centred on large-scale biogas production since large biogas plants are found to have 16% lower transportation costs than small biogas plants. Consequently, this minimizes the single most important production cost factor, transportation.The developed framework can be used and further developed in an analysis of how the spatial availability of, and competition for, different types of biomass can supplement each other in the development towards a bio-based economy.

Potential use and distribution of biogas by existing natural gas networks in Latvia

Abstract With the need to increase the use of renewable resources to reduce environmental impacts caused by greenhouse gases, there will be a global necessity for more intense use of renewable energy. In addition, given that a large part of energy in Latvia is imported, it is necessary to develop domestic energy supplies, thus ensuring self-sufficiency and to reduce the dependence on external factors. One of the potential sources of renewable energy that could be used increasingly is biogas. Biogas production through anaerobic digestion is considered to be an optimal solution of different types of organic waste, converting these waste materials into renewable energy and organic fertilizer. However, the lack of existing effective biogas transmission and distribution network lead to the tendency to utilize the energy near the plant site often has low efficiency, therefore cannot serve as a viable long-term source of energy. In areas where large biogas plants are present and they account for a significant share of primary energy also where natural gas transmission networks are nearby, a possible solution would be upgrading biogas to the required level, and then using it in mix with the natural gas. Before this process is carried out, the assessment of possible economic benefits must be done, as biogas plants are mostly decentralized with relatively low energy capacity. In this paper biogas and natural gas chemical differences are analyzed. Furthermore, the possibility of biogas usage combined with natural gas and the economic benefits of such a process in case of Latvia is discussed.