BIOGAS AND BIODIGESTERS:

ENERGETIC SOLUTIONS FOR WASTES

SERGIO PERES, Ph.D.

Universidade de Pernambuco

WPI – FEB 5th 2016

WHAT IS BIOGAS?
 WHAT IS BIOGAS?

• It is a gaseous fuel produced by the

anaerobic digestion of organic residues;
 BIOGAS COMPOSITION

SOURCE: http://anaerobic-digestion.com/biogas-and-anaerobic-digestion/biogas-composition/
 FEEDSTOCK
It can be any solid or liquid organic residue
such as:
• Organic fraction of the MSW (OFMSW);
• Sewage and Sewage sludge (from sewage
treatment station);
• Animals wastes;
• Food wastes;
• Agricultural wastes (lignocellulosic);
• Glycerin (biodiesel by-product);
• Vinasse;
• Many others.
 FEEDSTOCKS

Source: Marten Beckerdorf

HOW IS BIOGAS PRODUCED?
 BIOGAS PRODUCTION STEPS

SOURCE: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/727
 BIOGAS PRODUCTION STEPS - 1
HYDROLYSIS
Hydrolysis is a reaction with water. Acid and base can be used
to accelerate the reaction. However, this occurs in enzymes as
well.

SOURCE: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/727
 BIOGAS PRODUCTION STEPS - 2
ACIDOGENESIS

During acidogenesis, soluble monomers are converted into

small organic compounds, such as:

short chain (volatile) acids (propionic, formic, lactic, butyric,

succinic acids –Rx 1),
ketones (glycerol, acetone), and alcohols (ethanol, methanol –
see Rx 2).

(1) C6H12O6 + 2H2 → 2CH3CH2COOH + 2H2O

(2) C6H12O6 → 2CH3CH2OH + 2CO2

SOURCE: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/727
 BIOGAS PRODUCTION STEPS - 3
ACETOGENESIS
The acidogenesis intermediates are attacked by acetogenic
bacteria; the products include acetic acid, CO2, and H2.
The reactions 1-4 occur during acetogenesis:
(1) CH3CH2COO- + 3H2O → CH3COO- + H+ + HCO3- + 3H2
(2) C6H12O6 + 2H2O → 2CH3COOH + 2CO2 + 4H2
(3) CH3CH2OH + 2H2O → CH3COO- + 2H2 + H+
(4) 2HCO3- + 4H2 + H+ → CH3COO- + 4H2O
BICARBONATE
Several bacteria contribute to acetogenesis, including:
Syntrophobacter wolinii  propionate decomposer
Syntrophomonos wolfei  butyrate decomposer
Clostridium spp., peptococcus anaerobes,
lactobacillus, and actinomyces  acid formers.

SOURCE: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/727
 BIOGAS PRODUCTION STEPS - 4
METHANOGENESIS
Several reactions take place using the intermediate products from
the other phases, with the main product being methane. Rxs 1 - 6
show the common reactions during methanogenesis:
(1) 2CH3CH2OH + CO2 → 2CH3COOH + CH4
(2) CH3COOH → CH4 + CO2
(3) CH3OH → CH4 + H2O
(4) CO2 + 4H2 → CH4 + 2H2O
(5) CH3COO- + SO42- + H+ → 2HCO3 + H2S
(6) CH3COO- + NO- + H2O + H+ → 2HCO3 + NH4+

Several bacterial contribute to methanogenesis, including:

Methanobacterium, methanobacillus,
methanococcus, and methanosarcina, etc.

SOURCE: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/727
TIME TO PRODUCE BIOGAS
WHY SHOULD RESIDUES BE
USED AS FEEDSTOCKS?
 RESIDUES AS FEEDSTOCKS
• Residues have high BOD (biological oxygen
demand) and COD (chemical oxygen demand)
which are responsible for water table
contamination and eutrophication of rivers,
and lakes;
• Residues are responsible for the proliferation
of rats, flies, mosquitos, pathogens which
causes diseases;
• They emit GHG (CH4 e CO2).
• CH4 has a warming factor 21 times the CO2’s.
 DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Fish and other aquatic animals depend on dissolved
oxygen (the oxygen present in water) to live.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is measured in milligrams per

liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm).

The temperature of stream water influences the amount

of dissolved oxygen present; less oxygen dissolves in
warm water than cold water.

EXAMPLE: Trout need DO levels in excess of 8 mg/liter,

striped bass prefer DO levels above 5 mg/l, and most
warm water fish need DO in excess of 2 mg/l.

SOURCES: https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/devwtrplan_b.pdf
 OXYGEN DEMAND

It is a measure of the amount of “reduced”

organic and inorganic matter in a water;

Relates to oxygen consumption in a river or lake

as a result of a pollution discharge

It is measured in several ways:

BOD - Biochemical Oxygen Demand
COD - Chemical Oxygen Demand
 OXYGEN DEMAND
Natural organic detritus and organic waste from waste water
treatment plants, failing septic systems, and agricultural and
urban runoff, acts as a food source for water-borne bacteria.

Bacteria decompose these organic materials using

dissolved oxygen, thus reducing the DO present for fish,
and it may result in EUTROPHICATION.

SOURCES: https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/devwtrplan_b.pdf
 OXYGEN DEMAND
Natural organic detritus and organic waste from waste water
treatment plants, failing septic systems, and agricultural and
urban runoff, acts as a food source for water-borne bacteria.

Bacteria decompose these organic materials using

dissolved oxygen, thus reducing the DO present for fish, and
it may result in EUTROPHICATION.

EUTROPHICATION is the process by which a body of water

becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients (as
phosphates) that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant
life usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved
oxygen
SOURCES: https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/devwtrplan_b.pdf &
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eutrophication
 OXYGEN DEMAND

BOD - Biochemical oxygen demand is a procedure

for determining the rate of uptake of dissolved
oxygen by the organisms in a body of water;

BOD is a measure of organic content and gives an

indication on how much oxygen would be required
for microbial degradation.

SOURCE: Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center

 OXYGEN DEMAND

COD - Chemical oxygen demand it is a measure of

the total quantity of oxygen required to oxidize all
organic material into carbon dioxide and water.

COD values are always greater than BOD values.

However, COD measurements can be made in a
few hours while BOD measurements take five
days.

SOURCE: Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center

 OXYGEN DEMAND

If effluent with high BOD levels is discharged

into a stream or river, it will accelerate
bacterial growth in the river and consume the
oxygen levels in the river.
The oxygen may diminish to levels that are
lethal for most fish and many aquatic insects.

SOURCE: Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center

 EUTROPHICATION

SOURCES: https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/devwtrplan_b.pdf
 EUTROPHICATION
LOW LEVEL OF DISSOLVED
OXYGEN RESULTING IN
ALMOST OR NONE AQUATIC
LIFE.

SOURCES: https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/devwtrplan_b.pdf
 RESIDUES DISPOSAL

SOURCE: gametechcanaa.blogspot.com, catalog.flatworldknowledge.com & ordiate.com

 BIOGAS – BAD or GOOD?
• Biogas produced in open dumps or in non-
appropriated places are pollutants and undesired;
• Biogas produced in appropriated places called
biodigesters, produce gaseous fuels that may
substitute natural gas in most of its applications;
• The biogas HHV depends on its methane content.
For instance, biogas with 60% methane has a HHV
of 19,51 MJ/m3;
• Biogas can be also upgraded to biomethane, in
which the methane content is greater than 90%.
 TYPES OF PROCESSES
• The anaerobic biodigestion can occurs between 10 ⁰C
(50 ⁰F) and 65 ⁰C (140 ⁰F) according to the
microorganisms types:
– Psycrophilic < 20 ⁰C (68 ⁰F);
– Mesophilic between 20 ⁰C (68 ⁰F) and 45 ⁰C (113 ⁰F);
– Thermophilic > 45 ⁰C (113 ⁰F).
Note.: - Below 10 ⁰C (50 ⁰F); there is no biogas production
due to bacteria inactivity;
- Biogas production doubles every 10 ⁰C between 15 e 35
⁰C;
- Ideal Temperatures: T = 35 ⁰C (meso) and 50 ⁰C (thermo)

Fonte: Biomassa para Energia – UNICAMP (2008)

 FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE
BIOGAS PRODUCTION

• Type of reactors;
• Temperature;
• pH;
• Composition and residues concentration;
• Presence od toxic substances;
• Agitation.
 FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE
BIOGAS PRODUCTION
The biodigestor conditions must be stable for the survival of the anaerobic
microorganisms. These conditions are:

Temperature – The temperature must be as stable as possible sudden and big

tmeperature changes may kill the microorganisms;

pH e alkalinity – the ideal media to increase the methanegens yields must have an
acidity index between 7 and 7.2 and alkalinity 2.5 and 5 mg/L. When the pH is
equal or less than 5.5 there is inhibitation of bacterian activity. The excessive
acidity in the biodigestor mean may occur due to the presence of a high quantity
of fatty acids or toxic materials;

Nutrients concentration – It is necessary that the substrate has a C/N ratio as the
Archeas consume carbon 25 to 30 times faster than they consume nitrogen. In
very high concentration levels, carbon reduces the microorganims activity . In low
levels, the media can become toxic due to the formation of ammonia. It is
essential the presence of phosphorous otherwise no fermentaion will occur.
 FACTORS AFFECTING THE
BIOGAS COMPOSITION
- The addition of substrates with hydrocarbons;
- The number of carbon atoms in the substrate;
- Residence time;
- Substrate activation by innocula (starters);
- The substrate structure;
- The water content in the biodigester;
- Temperature and pressure during the process;
- Substrate source;
- The substrate preparation.

Source: Nascimento (2012)

TYPES OF BIODIGESTERS
DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF
THE SUBSTRATE
FOOD & ANIMAL WASTES
 BIODIGESTERS
Small sizes (residential)

CHINESE DIGESTER
SOURCE: www.i-sis.org.uk
 BIODIGESTERS
CHINESE DIGESTER

Over 30 million households in China

have biogas digesters that convert
wastes into clean-burning fuel.

Biogas accounts for about 1.2% of

China’s total energy use, mostly
replacing biomass and fossil fuels used
for cooking in rural households.

SOURCE: http://www.ecotippingpoints.org/our-stories/indepth/china-biogas.html
 BIODIGESTERS
CHINESE DIGESTER

SOURCE: alibaba.com
 BIODIGESTERS
• Small sizes (residential)

• INDIAN DIGESTER
SOURCE: www.fao.org
 BIODIGESTERS
• INDIAN TYPE DIGESTER

SOURCE: INDIAN DIGESTER – UNESP Jaboticabal (Jorge Lucas)

 BIODIGESTERS
• Biogas main use – COOKING GAS

SOURCE: http://loowatt.com/digester/anaerobic-digesters-in-india/
 MEMBRANE DIGESTER
Rural areas
Advantage: Low cost

Source: Lylian Rodriguez e T R Preston

Gropelli Digester -Argentina
 GEOMEMBRANE DIGESTERS

VINYL

HIGH DENSITY
POLYETHYLENE

Source: PERES & SANSUY

 CANADIAN BIODIGESTER

Source: Sansui – Jorge Lucas

 EUROPEAN BIODIGESTER

Fonte: Planet- Biogas Solution

ADVANCED BIODIGESTER
SEWAGE AS FEEDSTOCK
 SEWAGE TREATMENT STATION

SOURCE: http://www.mwra.com/03sewer/html/sewhow.htm
 SEWAGE TREATMENT STATION

Collection and Pumping

Sewage is piped from communities to several headworks
where bricks, logs and other large objects are screened
out. Pumps draw the sewage through deep-rock tunnels
under the harbor to Deer Island.

SOURCE: http://www.mwra.com/03sewer/html/sewhow.htm
 SEWAGE TREATMENT STATION

Preliminary Treatment
Mud and sand settle in a tank called a grit chamber. Later,
this material, known as grit and screenings, is taken to a
landfill for environmentally safe disposal.

SOURCE: http://www.mwra.com/03sewer/html/sewhow.htm
 SEWAGE TREATMENT STATION

Primary Treatment
The sewage then flows to primary settling tanks where up
to 60% of the solids in the waste stream settle out as a
mixture of sludge and water. This primary treatment
removes very few toxic chemicals.

SOURCE: http://www.mwra.com/03sewer/html/sewhow.htm
 SEWAGE TREATMENT STATION

Secondary Treatment
In the secondary treatment plant oxygen is added
(aerobic process) to the wastewater to speed up the
growth of micro-organisms. These microbes then
consume the wastes and settle to the bottom of the
secondary settling tanks. After secondary treatment, 80-
90% of human waste and other solids have been
removed. A significant proportion of toxic chemicals are
also removed by this process.

SOURCE: http://www.mwra.com/03sewer/html/sewhow.htm
 DEER ISLAND TREATMENT PLANT

SOURCE: lowimpacthydro.org
 DEER ISLAND TREATMENT PLANT

• 12 biodigesters - Volume of
each = 11,356 m³;
• Biodigesters total volume
136,274 m³.
• Biodigester Height H = 42 m.
• Biodigestion temp. T = 36.7 °C
• Retention time = 15 to 21 days
• Biogas flowrate = 5.097 m³/h.

EGG SHAPE BIODIGESTERS

 SEWAGE TREATMENT STATION
DEER ISLAND TREATMENT PLANT

SOURCE: http://www.mwra.com/03sewer/html/sewhow.htm
 SEWAGE BIODIGESTER

SOURCE: lowimpacthydro.org
 ANAEROBIC SYTEM FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT

UASB – Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket

The UASB reactor was created in the 70’s in the University of Wageningen –
Netherlands.
• It promotes high efficiency in the wasterwater treatment with high
concentration of organic matter and low concentration of solids (SANTOS,
2009);
• In tropical countries such as Brazil, there are an enormous use as heating
is not required.

• UASB uses an anaerobic process whilst forming a blanket of granular

sludge which suspends in the tank. Wastewater flows upwards through
the blanket and is processed (degraded) by the anaerobic
microorganisms. The upward flow combined with the settling action
of gravity suspends the blanket with the aid of flocculants. The blanket
begins to reach maturity at around three months.

Source: SANTOS (2009) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upflow_anaerobic_sludge_blanket_digestion .

 UASB REACTOR

SOURCE:http://www.sswm.info/
 UASB REACTOR
REQUIREMENTS:

Temperature
For an optimal growth of these bacteria and thus a
optimal anaerobic digestion, thetemperature should lie
between 35 to 38°C.
Below this range, the digestion rate decreases by about
11% for each 1°C temperature decrease;
Below 15°C the process is no longer efficient (ALAERTS et
al. 1990 in TBW 2001b), although bacterial activity can
still be noticed at temperatures less than 10°C (TBW
2001b).
SOURCE:http://www.sswm.info/
 UASB REACTOR
REQUIREMENTS:

SOURCE:http://www.sswm.info/
 UASB REACTOR
REQUIREMENTS:

Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT)

The hydraulic retention time (HRT) should not be less than 2 hours.
Anaerobic microorganisms, specially methane producing bacteria,
have a slow growth rate.
At lower HRTs, the possibility of washout of biomass is more
prominent (BAL & DHAGAT 2001).
The optimal HRT generally lies within 2 to 20 hours (TBW 2001b).

SOURCE:http://www.sswm.info/
 UASB REACTOR

SOURCE:http://www.sswm.info/
 UASB REACTOR + EXTERNAL BIODIGESTOR

SLUDGE

TWO STAGE BIODIGESTION

SOURCE:http://www.sswm.info/
 PROS AND CONTRAS OF MATERIALS

SOURCE: Karthik Rajendran *, Solmaz Aslanzadeh and Mohammad J. Taherzadeh (2012)

 BIOGAS
ENERGY EQUIVALENCE
A typical normal cubic meter of methane has a calorific value of
around 10 kWh, while carbon dioxide has zero.
Assuming a biogas composition with 60% methane, then, the
energy content would in this case be around 6.0 kWh per normal
cubic meter.
 BIODIGESTER RESIDUE
Biofertilizer

Fonte: Anna Crolla et al - 2007

QUESTION:
 QUESTION:
• WASTE
If we can use….
 ANSWER:

• Why DUMP ?????

AMERICAN SAYING:

YOUR TRASH MY TREASURE

Universidade de Pernambuco
Escola Politécnica de Pernambuco
POLICOM - Laboratório de Combustíveis e Energia

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Sérgio Peres
Fone/fax: (81) 3184-7502
E-mail: policom@upe.poli.br , sergperes@gmail.com
Homepage: www.upe.poli.br/policom