CHAPTER IV

DESIGN, SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

This chapter composed of the simulation and test results from the procedures.

The analysis of each simulation was use to verify the performance of anaerobic

digestion system for the production of biogas. The data gathered from the results of test

and simulations validated if the design meets the requirements and specification.

4.1 Design Requirements

Design Requirements are an important input of a process, since tests should

trace back to specific requirements. Design requirements show what elements and

functions are necessary for the process which is the simulation of anaerobic digestion

system.

These are the design requirements that are determined in order to create the

control system for the anaerobic digestion system.

4.1.1 Data Analysis

4.1.1.1 Process Overview

 Fig. 4.1.1.1 Flow Chart of Anaerobic Digestion System

Fig. 4.1.1.1 shows the process of existing anaerobic digestion system. The

existing process is compose of mixing tank, fermentation chamber and hydraulic

pressure tank where the inputs are manure and water. The mixing and inlet tank

are connected to each other. Wastes from pigpen canal transfer directly to the

mixing tank and eventually mixed with the other wastes while water is continuous

flowing during cleaning period. The fermentation chamber serves as the biogas

digester. It is a space where the organic wastes ferment and biogas isolates.

Under the absence of oxygen anaerobic bacteria are given birth. These bacteria

are responsible for producing the biogas by slowly digesting the sludge inside the

digester. The upper part of the chamber is the biogas tank. This place acts as

biogas collection and storage tank before distributing to service area. The

hydraulic pressure tank is for the regulation of the biogas pressure inside the

digester. This tank gives pressure to the biogas so that it can flow to the biogas

piping system. It also functions as the storage of the liquid waste coming out from

the fermentation chamber. The researcher used this flow chart to deepen their

knowledge for the design.

4.1.1.2 Review of Operating Parameters of Anaerobic Digester

A. Input Volume and Level

The digester maintains 1:1 ratio volume, pig manure to water. An

increase of volume increases the yield in gas. 1 cubic meter of manure

and water could produce up to 0.058 m3 of biogas.

 The anaerobic digester of the current biogas system has inside

volume of 22.94 m3 hold up to 4.59 m3 of raw biogas when the anaerobic

digester is filled with the input volume to its maximum.

Level is also one of the main factors to consider while operating a

biogas plant. From the main chamber, when the manure and water reach

a certain level the incoming inflow will go to the hydraulic pressure tank.

Level is directly proportional to volume, where in if the level increase the

volume will be rise out

B. Temperature

Another factor was operating temperature of biogas system. The

operation temperature must not be too cold or too hot. It was stated in

PNS/PAES 413:2001 that operated temperature must be 20-55 celcius.

These conditions are known to be the Mesophilic Condition and

Thermophilic Condition where the microbes can live up to the specific

temperature and accumulate to produce biogas. Mesophilic is from range

20-35 degree celcius and the bacteria that can sustain that condition is

called mesophiles. Thermophilic has a range of 35-55 degree celcius

which the thermophiles exist.

C. pH

In the existing digester, pH was monitored because it affects the

activity of bacteria to destroy organic matter into biogas. Low pH can slow

the degradation of microbes and produce less biogas due to the effect in
 the methanogen. The range 0f 6.2- 8.5 has the optimum value of biogas

produced.

4.1.2 Data Collection

4.1.2.1 Conservative Method for the Anaerobic Design

Conservative method was used by the researchers to choose what type of

digester was the best fit for the proposed design. Reading books and

undergraduate theses were the major sources of information in doing the

conservative method. The different types of criteria were chosen and how it

would affect the production of biogas. The four main digester types that were

being evaluated with their advantages and disadvantages were the following:

Fixed Dome, Floating Drum, Tubular, and Complete Mixed Digester. The types of

feeding systems were also considered like batch, continuous and mixed.

4.1.2.1.1 Technical Specifications of each Design

Table 4.1.2.1.1.2 Types of Anaerobic Digester

 In table 4.1.3.1.1 shows the advantage and disadvantage of each digester

design. Each digester has unique characteristics and shows the strength and weakness

on each design.

Table 4.1.3.1.2 Types of Feeding System

 In table 4.1.3.1.2 shows the types of feeding system. Digesters can be

designed for batch feeding or for continuous feeding. A full charge of raw material is

placed in the digester with batch digesters, which is then sealed off and left to ferment

as long as gas is produced. When gas production has stopped, a new batch of raw

materials empties and replenishes the digester. (Fry. J. l., 2009).

Table 4.1.3.1.3 Shape of Digester

In table 4.1.3.1.3 shows the advantages and disadvantages based from the

related studies of the considered shape of biogas digester, According to the DOST,

cylindrical shape is the best suited for the design of anaerobic digester because it has

better load bearing capacity and it can sustain the pressure inside while in operation

mode
Table 4.1.3.1.4 Biogas Digester Structure

In table 4.1.3.1.5 shows the different type of structure. The proponents choose

the Stainless steel as the structure of the design study. Stainless steel structure is best

suited in our design because our study is in thermophilic temperature and stainless

steel is ductile through all temperature ranges (L.Riddle, 2013) and leak free. Using

black paint corrosion resistant, the massive corrosion cause by the presence of h2s in

the process can prevent.

Table 4.1.3.1.5 Position of Digester

 In table 4.1.3.1.5 shows the two types of position. Ensuring that systems

are placed in fields of risk is another thing to consider. Digesters can be classified in

both horizontal and vertical models. Vertical tanks merely bring feedstock on one hand

in a pipe, whilst digestate overflows through a pipe on the other side.

Table 4.1.3.1.6 Digester Exposure

 In table 4.1.3.1.6 shows the two types of exposure of digester. The

Digester shall not be placed in a flood plain unless the structure is protected from

flooding and flood harm. It must be located in a manner to meet separation

requirements noted in the appropriate local regulations and shall be located so the

potential impacts from breach of embankment, accidental release and or liner failure are

minimized.

Table 4.1.3.1.7 Result of Conservative

4.1.3.1.1 Material Considerations

4.1.3.1.9 Calculations

Mixing tank
Inlet

Fermentation
Hydraulic Pressure tank

Level of manure in mixing tank

Level of manure in inlet tank
Level of manure in fermentation tank
Level of manure in Hydraulic Pressure tank

4.1.4 Program Software