• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2017

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the biogas productivity of agricultural by-products (ABPs) based on their proximate composition. Specifically, the effects of proximate composition were investigated, and a new mixing method was developed using various ABPs that are difficult to digest for biogas production. Methods: Experiments were conducted to compare the biogas productivity between a single ABP and a mixture of ABPs that had the same proximate composition as the single ABP. To match the proximate compositions of radish waste and corn distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), mixed ABPs were made from various ABPs. Biogas potential tests (BMP tests) were performed at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 2.5 g VS/L and a feed to microorganism ratio (F/M) of 0.5 under the mesophilic condition. Results: The individual ABPs (radish and corn DDGS) and the mixed ABPs (cabbage waste with skim milk waste, bean-curd waste with skim milk waste, and some others) produced similar amounts of biogas. Conclusions: The new mixing method based on proximate composition can be applied to other ABPs and organic wastes from factories and municipal waste treatment plants to develop renewable energy and effective waste treatment methods.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to develop the classification method of various organic wastes. Specifically, the effects of proximate composition on the biogas production and degradation rates of agricultural by-production was investigated and a new standards for mixture of various organic wastes based on proximate composition combination was developed. Agricultural by-products (ABPs) with medium total carbohydrate, medium crude protein and low fat contents demonstrated the single step digestion process. ABPs with low total carbohydrate, high crude protein and high fat contents demonstrated the two step digestion process of Diauxic growth. The single ABP (Class No. 15) and the mixed ABPs (Class No. 12+18, 6+12+22, 9+12+18) after 10days showed the similar biogas yield pattern. We can use the classification method for the more ABPs and organic wastes from factory and municipal waste treatment plant for the high efficient biogas production.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.195-201
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• 2010

Due to its carbon-neutral nature, biogas generated from anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable wastes is one of the important renewable energy sources to reduce global warming. It is mainly composed of methane and various inert gases such as $CO_2$ and $N_2$, and the actual composition of biogas significantly varies depending on the origin of anaerobic digestion process. Therefore, in order to effectively utilize this fuel as an energy source for electricity, it is important to develop power generation engines which can successfully apply biogas with significant composition variations. In this study, efforts have been made to develop a diesel-biogas duel fuel engine as a way to achieve such a stable power generation. The effects of diesel fuel injection quantity and pressure on stable combustion and engine performance were investigated, and an impact of diesel fuel atomization was discussed. The engine test results show that there exists a 2 stage combustion which consists of diesel pilot fuel burning and premixed biogas/air mixture burning in dual fuel engine operation and optimum diesel injection parameters were suggested for biogases with various compositions and heating values.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 1999

Quantity and composition of biogas from semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of straw were obtained experimentally in laboratory scale digesters fed with 1 liter of 5% straw-water mixture and maintained at 35$^{\circ}C$. Experiments were carried out for hydraulic retention time(HRT) of 8, 10 and 15days, respectively. The amount and composition of biogas produced were measured until steady-state was achieved for each run. The amount of biogas and methane percent go through a maximum and decrease continuously towards the steady-state after three times operation of hydraulic retention time(HRT). Methane gas production rates at steady-state increase with the increasing of HRT. Biogas production of 0.45 liter/day with 25% methane, 0.42 liter/day with 33.7% methane and 0.492 liter/day with 31.7% methane were obtained for 8, 10 and 15days of HRT, respectively. The high proportion of soluble carbohydrates present in straw makes the volatile fatty acids to build up within the digester causing a drop in pH that inhibits digestion. Regular control of pH is therefore necessary by adding alkalinity. Reductions in COD increase with increase in HRT. The stratification of plant material within the digester is different from that of manure, and modifications in design and operation of digesters may be necessary if they are fed with plant matter.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.174.1-174.1
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• 2011

Biogas production and utilisation is an emerging alternative energy technology. Biogas is produced from the biological breakdown of organic matter through anaerobic digestion. Biogas can be utilized for various energy services such as heating, electricity generation and vehicle fuel. Especially, to be utilized as vehicle fuel, raw biogas needs to be upgraded, that is, mainly the removal of carbon dioxide to increase the methane content, up to more than 95% in some cases, similar to the composition of fossil-based natural gas. Biogas fuelled vehicles can reduce $CO_2$ emission by between 75% and 200% compared with fossil fuels. Biomethane development is largely driven by national initiative and predominately by concerns for national air pollution and waste management. Recently, biogas projects for vehicle fuels by some companies are ongoing and Korea government also announced investment to develop biogas as a transport fuel. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of biomethane as a transport fuel in Korea. In this study, we investigated quality characteristics, quality standard and upgrading technology to use vehicle fuel of transport sector in Korea.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2018

Purpose: In this study, the potential for biogas production, degradation rates, and lag-phase of diauxic growth of carbohydrate-based material, which is one of the proximate compositions, were investigated. Methods: This study was conducted using starch as a carbohydrate-based material. In experimental condition 1, the biogas potential of carbohydrate-based material was measured. In experimental condition 2, the effect of feed to microorganism ratio (F/M ratio) on lag-phase of diauxic growth from carbohydrate-based material was tested. Biochemical methane potential tests were performed at five different feed to microorganism ratios (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) under mesophilic conditions. The biogas production patterns, lag-phase, total volatile fatty acids to total alkalinity ratio (TVFA/TA ratio), and time required for 90 percent biogas production were used to evaluate biogas production based on the biochemical methane potential tests. Results: In experimental condition 1, unlike previous studies, biogas was produced in the TVFA/TA ratio ranging from 1.131 to 2.029 (approximately 13-19 days). The methane content in the biogas produced from the digesters was 7% on day 9 and increased rapidly until approximately day 27 (approximately 72%). In experimental condition 2, biogas yield was improved when the feed to microorganism ratio exceeded 0.6, with an initial lag-phase. Conclusions: Even if the TVFA/TA ratio was greater than 1.0, the biogas production was processed continuously, and the $CO_2$ content of the biogas production was as high as 60%. The biogas yield was improved when the F/M ratio was increased more than 0.6, but the lag-phase of carbohydrate-based material digestion became longer starting with high organic loading rate. To clarify the problem of the initial lag-phase, our future study will examine the microbial mechanisms during anaerobic digestion.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.57-62
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• 2010

MW-class gas turbines are suitable for distributed generation systems such as community energy systems(CES). Recently, biogas is acknowledged as an alternative energy source, and its use in gas turbines is expected to increase. Steam injection is an effective way to improve performance of gas turbines. This study intended to examine the influence of injecting steam and using biogas as the fuel on the operation and performance a gas turbine combined heat and power (CHP) system. A commercial gas turbine of 6 MW class was used for this study. The primary concern of this study is a comparative analysis of system performance in a wide biogas composition range. In addition, the effect of steam temperature and injected steam rate on gas turbine and CHP performance was investigated.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

Biogas production and utilization are an emerging alternative energy technology. Biogas is produced from the biological breakdown of organic matter through anaerobic digestion. Biogas can be utilized for various energy sectors such as space heating, electricity generation and vehicle fuel. Especially, to be utilized as vehicle fuel, raw biogas needs to be upgraded that is mainly the removal of carbon dioxide to increase the methane content up to more than 95 ~ 97 vol% in some cases, similar to the composition of fossil-based natural gas. Usage of Biogas as a fuel of vehicles have an effect of reducing $CO_2$ emission compared to fossil fuels. Biomethane which is produced by upgrading of biogas is regarded as a good alternative energy and usage of clean energy is encouraged to deal with air pollution and waste management as well as production of clean energy. Recently, biogas projects for vehicle fuel are newly being launched and Korea government have also announced a plan for investment to develop biogas as a transport fuel. In this study, it is aimed to examine the potential feasibility of biomethane as a transport fuel. As a results, the status of biomethane, quality standard, quality characteristics, and upgrading technology of biogas were investigated to evaluate of biogas as a vehicle fuel of transportation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1050-1056
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• 2014

This study investigated the main factors influencing digester temperature and methods to reduce heat losses during the cold season in the subtropics. Four composite digesters (two insulated and two uninsulated) were buried underground to measure their internal temperature ($^{\circ}C$) at a depth of 140 cm and 180 cm, biogas production and methane ($CH_4$) concentration in biogas from August to February. In parallel the temperature of the air (100 cm above ground), in the slurry mixing tank and in the soil (10, 100, 140, and 180 cm depth) was measured by thermocouple. The influent amount was measured daily and the influent chemical composition was measured monthly during the whole experimental period. Seasonal variations in air temperature significantly affected the temperature in the soil, mixing tank and digester. Consequently, biogas production, which is temperature dependent, was influenced by the season. The main factors determining the internal temperature in the digesters were insulation with Styrofoam, air temperature and temperature of slurry in the mixing tank. Biogas production is low due to the cold climate conditions in winter in Northern Vietnam, but the study proved that storing slurry in the mixing tank until its temperature peak at around 14:00 h will increase the temperature in the digester and thus increase potential biogas production. Algorithms are provided linking digester temperature to the temperature of slurry in the mixing tank.

• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 2014

Biogas is a gaseous mixture produced from microbial digestion of organic materials in the absence of oxygen. Raw biogas, depending upon organic materials, digestion time and process conditions, contains about 45-75% methane, 30-50% carbon dioxide, 0.3% of hydrogen sulfide gas and fraction of water vapor. To achieve the standard composition of the biogas the treatment techniques like absorption or membrane separation was performed for the resourcing of biogas. In this paper the experimental results of the methane purification in simulated biogas mixture consisted of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide were presented. The composite membrane is manufactured within polysulfone in order to increase the separation performances for the gaseous mixtures of $CO_2$ and $CH_4$ which are main components of the biogas. The effects of feed pressures and mixed gas on the separation of $CO_2-CH_4$ by membrane are investigated. Chelate chemical was utilized to treat the purification of methane from the $H_2S$ concentration of 0.3%.