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Methane and power produced in anaerobic digestion facilities can be utilized to replace
energy derived from fossil fuels, and hence reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses.
This is due to the fact that the carbon in biodegradable material such as algae is part of
a carbon cycle. The carbon released into the atmosphere from the combustion of biogas
has been removed by plants in order for them to grow in the recent past. This can have
occurred within the last decade, but more typically within the last growing season. If the
plants are re-grown, taking the carbon out of the atmosphere once more, the system will
be carbon neutral. This contrasts to carbon in fossil fuels that has been sequestered in
the earth for many millions of years, the combustion of which increases the overall
levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Biogas plants consist of two components: a digester (or fermentation tank) and a gas
holder. The digester is a cube-shaped or cylindrical waterproof container with an inlet
into which the fermentable mixture is introduced in the form of a liquid slurry. The gas
holder is normally an airproof steel container that, by floating like a ball on the
fermentation mix, cuts off air to the digester (anaerobiosis) and collects the gas
generated. In one of the most widely used designs (Figure 2), the gas holder is
equipped with a gas outlet, while the digester is provided with an overflow pipe to lead
the sludge out into a drainage pit.
The average cost of a digester is nearly $1.5 million, and it takes about six years to earn
back that original investment without any grants.
Creation of biogas
Biogas is a product of the metabolism of methane bacteria and is created when the
bacteria degrade a mass of organic material. The methane bacteria can only work and
reproduce if the substrate is sufficiently bloated with water (at least 50 %). In contrast to
aerobic bacteria, yeasts and fungi they cannot exist in a solid phase.
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Exclusion of air
These micro-organisms are strongly anaerobic. If the substrate still contains oxygen, as
for example is the case with liquid manure, then aerobic bacteria must use this up first.
This happens during the first phase of the biogas process. Low quantities of oxygen,
such as occur through the deliberate aeration of air in order to desulphurise the
material, do not cause any harm.
Temperature
The working range of the methane bacteria lies between 0 and 70°C. At higher
temperatures they are killed off, with the exception of a few strains which can survive in
temperatures up to 90°C. The speed of the decomposition process is heavily dependent
on temperature. The following applies: the higher the temperature, decomposition
occurs more quickly, the production of gas is higher, the decomposition time is shorter
and the content of methane in the biogas is lower.
Practical experience has shown that there are typical temperature ranges in which
particular strains of bacteria feel quite comfortable:
mesophile strains at temperatures of 25-35°C
thermophile strains at temperatures above 45°C
The higher the temperature, the more sensitive the bacteria are to temperature
variations, especially when these occur for a short time and the temperature drops.
Whilst in the mesophile range daily variations of from 2 to 3°C about the medium can
still be supported, for the thermophile range these variations should not be more than
1°C. Over longer periods of time (around 1 month) the bacteria become accustomed to
new temperature ranges.
The pH value The pH value should be in the weakly alkaline range of about 7.5. For
liquid manure and dung this range usually occurs naturally during the second phase of
the decomposition process, as a result of the creation of ammonium. For more acidic
substrates such as slop, whey and silage it may be necessary to add lime in order to
increase the pH value.
Supply of nutrients
Methane bacteria cannot break down fats, protein, carbohydrate (starch, sugar) and
cellulose in pure form. In fact they need soluble nitrogen compounds, minerals and
trace elements to break down the cellular mass of these materials. Sufficient quantities
of these substances are present in dung and liquid manure. But Algae Biomass and
grass too (in fresh and preserved form) as also marc, slop and whey contain sufficient
total nutrients and can in principle be broken down alone. In practice however it is
recommended that dung and liquid manure are used as a stable basic substrate and
additional amounts of the materials referred to are added, so as to avoid segregation
and to achieve a good buffering of acids and lyes.
Stages
Algae feeds on the Hydrogen from the H2O and the Carbon from the CO2 and
through the process of photosynthesis produces Hydrocarbon Chains and releases
Oxygen. Most strains of the Green and Green-Blue Algae can double their mass
every 24hour growing cycle. Different strains of Algae produce Algae Oil with slightly
different hydrocarbon chains
Microalgae have much faster growth-rates than terrestrial crops. The per unit area
yield of oil from algae is estimated to be from between 2,000 to 20,000 gallons per
acre, per year(4.6 to 18.4 l/m2 per year); this is 7 to 30 times greater than the next
best crop, Chinese tallow (699 gallons).
Studies show that algae can produce up to 60% of their biomass in the form of oil.
Because the cells grow in aqueous suspension where they have more efficient
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access to water, CO2 and dissolved nutrients, microalgae are capable of producing
large amounts of biomass and usable oil in either high rate algal ponds or
photobioreactors. This oil can then be turned into biodiesel which could be sold for
use in automobiles. The biomass (algae cake) can be used for biogas production
into methane to generate electricity. The more efficient this process becomes the
larger the profit that is turned by the company. Regional production of microalgae
and processing into biofuels will provide economic benefits to rural communities.
Biobutanol
Butanol can be made from algae using only a solar powered biorefinery. This fuel
has an energy density similar to gasoline, and greater than that of either ethanol or
methanol. In most gasoline engines, butanol can be used in place of gasoline with
no modifications. In several tests, butanol consumption is similar to that of gasoline,
and when blended with gasoline, provides better performance and corrosion
resistance than that of ethanol.
The green waste left over from the algae oil extraction can be used to produce
butanol.
Biogasoline
• Easy to grow
• Grow anywhere
• Environmentally friendly
The combination of algae production & methane biogas is a green way to create
endless renewable clean energy for many cities and industries.