Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a biogas production system and particularly to a system for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock.
Description of Related Art
[002] A biogas production system is a renewable energy system that utilizes organic materials to produce biogas, primarily consisting of methane and carbon dioxide. This system is designed to efficiently convert organic waste or feedstock into a valuable source of clean energy. Organic materials such as agricultural waste, food scraps, animal manure, sewage sludge, and other biomass serve as the feedstock for biogas production. The type and composition of feedstock can vary depending on the specific application.
[003] While offering lots of advantages, biogas production systems possess some limitations in terms of a quality of the biogas they produce. The methane content in biogas varies depending on factors like feedstock composition, temperature, and the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process. Inconsistent methane content makes it challenging to use biogas for specific applications, such as power generation or vehicle fuel.
[004] In addition, biogas produced from the currently available biogas production system contains impurities and contaminants like hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), siloxanes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These impurities corrode equipment, reduce energy efficiency, and necessitate additional treatment steps which in turn increases the cost and labor. Furthermore, biogas typically contains a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), which reduces its energy content and heating value. CO2 also leads to lower combustion efficiency when biogas is used for heating or power generation.
[005] Moreover, high levels of H2S in biogas lead to operational challenges and equipment damage. It causes odors, corrosion of pipes and engines, and the need for expensive gas-cleaning processes. Excess moisture in biogas also leads to combustion issues, reduced energy content, and the formation of condensation in gas pipelines and equipment.
[006] However, biogas production systems contribute to sustainable energy generation, waste management, and environmental protection while providing an alternative and clean source of energy for various applications, but some gas treatment processes used to enhance biogas quality consume additional energy, impacting the overall energy balance of the system. Siloxanes from organic materials enter biogas and cause engine damage, as they turn into hard deposits when burned. This requires regular maintenance and additional cleaning.
[007] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced system for enhancing the quality of biogas that can administer the abovementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[008] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock. The system comprising: digesters adapted to receive a combination of cow dung and ground organic liquid feedstock to perform an anaerobic digestion, wherein silica gel is added to enhance a biogas production in each of the digesters in a proportion of 0.5 percentage (%) by weight of the ground organic liquid feedstock. The system further comprising: levelling tubes connected from each of the digesters to measuring jars and adapted to collect the produced biogas from the digesters. The system further comprising: plastic tubs adapted to hold the measuring jars in an inverted position such that a water remains present in the measuring jars and the plastic tubs to hold the collected gas. The system further comprising: a control unit arranged in proximity to the measuring jars, and configured to: calculate the gas production by detecting a decrease in a water level within the measuring jars, based on a water displacement method. The control unit is further configured to enable a sample collector to collect samples of the collected biogas from the measuring jars periodically. The control unit further configured to monitor a quality of the collected samples by evaluating attributes selected from a methane content, a Hydrogen sulphide content, and a moisture content.
[009] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for enhancing a quality of biogas. The method comprising steps of: introducing a mixture of cow dung and ground organic liquid feedstock into digesters, wherein an amount of the cow dung ranges from 5 percentage (%) to 10 percentage (%) by weight of the mixture; adding silica gel, in particulate form, to each of the digester in a proportion of 0.5 percentage (%) by weight of the ground organic liquid feedstock; connecting levelling tubes from each of the digesters to measuring jars; placing measuring jars in an inverted position in plastic tubs for ensuring water is filled in the measuring jars and the plastic tubs for holding gas; collecting the produced biogas in the digesters through the levelling tubes into the measuring jar, wherein a decrease in water level in the measuring jars indicates gas production and is calculated based on a water displacement method; allowing the digesters to operate for a period of time ranging from 20 days to 30 days to facilitate an anaerobic digestion of the feedstock and biogas production; and collecting samples on a day-to-day basis and monitoring the quality of sludge and biogas.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention may provide several advantages depending on configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock that is inexpensive.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock that increases energy effciency.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock that enriches biogas.
[0014] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing a quality of biogas that is easily operable.
[0015] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing a quality of biogas that controls moisture and removes impurities.
[0016] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing a quality of biogas that is ecofriendly.
[0017] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0018] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible by utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a system for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for enhancing a quality of the biogas, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0025] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0026] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a system 100 for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 comprise digesters 102a-102n (hereinafter referred individually to as the digester 102, and plurally to as the digesters 102), levelling tubes 104a-104n (hereinafter referred individually to as the levelling tube 104, and plurally to as the levelling tubes 104), measuring jars 106a-106n (hereinafter referred individually to as the measuring jar 106, and plurally to as the measuring jars 106), plastic tubs 108a-108n (hereinafter referred individually to as the plastic tub 108, and plurally to as the plastic tubs 108), a control unit 110, a sample collector 112, a gas sensor 114, a moisture sensor 116, and a display unit 118.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the digesters 102 may be adapted to receive a combination of cow dung and ground organic liquid feedstock to perform an anaerobic digestion. The amount of the cow dung may range from 5 percentage (%) to 10 percentage (%) by weight of the mixture, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the ground organic liquid may be in a range from 65% to 85%. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ground organic liquid may be 75%. In an embodiment of the present invention, the ground organic liquid feedstock may be selected from a source such as, but not limited to, a food waste, an animal waste, an agricultural waste, a water, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the source to obtain the ground organic liquid feedstock, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the digesters 102 may be to operate for a period of time ranging from 20 days to 30 days to facilitate an anaerobic digestion of the feedstock and biogas production. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operable period of time for the digesters 102 may be 30 days. In an embodiment of the present invention, the digesters 102 may be operated at a controlled temperature in a range from 30 degrees Celsius (°C) to 37 degrees Celsius (°C).
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, silica gel may be added to enhance the biogas production in each of the digesters 102 in a proportion. The proportion of silica gel may be in range from 0.2% to 0.6% by weight of the ground organic liquid feedstock. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of silica gel may be 0.5% by weight of the ground organic liquid feedstock.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the digesters 102 may be in a shape such as, but not limited to, a cylindrical, an egg shape, a cubical, a conical, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the digesters 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the digesters 102 may be, but not limited to, cans, an industrial digester, a small-scale biogas digester, and so forth, Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the digesters 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, a capacity of the digesters 102 may be in a range from 10 litres to 1000 liters. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the capacity of the digester 102 may be 20 litres. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any capacity of the digesters 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the levelling tubes 104 connected from each of the digesters 102 to the measuring jars 106 may be adapted to collect the produced biogas from the digesters 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the levelling tubes 104 may comprise a sealant to prevent an air or water leakage. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sealant may be, but not limited to, an acrylic system, a silicone, a urethane, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealant may be a M-seal. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sealant to prevent leakage from the lavelling tubes 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plastic tubs 108 may be adapted to hold the measuring jars 106 in an inverted position such that a water remains present in the measuring jars 106 and the plastic tubs 108 to hold the collected gas. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plastic tubs 108 may be, but not limited to, a tray, a bucket, a container, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the plastic tubs 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 100 may be arranged in proximity to the measuring jars 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be connected to the gas sensor 114 to evaluate a methane content, a Hydrogen sulphide content in the collected samples, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may further be connected to the moisture sensor 116 to evaluate the moisture content in the collected samples.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be configured to rest the biogas production when the collected samples of the produced biogas exhibit results such as the methane content of at least 60 percentage (%) by volume. In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be configured to rest the biogas production when the collected samples of the produced biogas exhibit results such as the Hydrogen sulphide content of less than 100 parts per million (ppm). In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be configured to rest the biogas production when the collected samples of the produced biogas exhibit results such as the moisture content of less than 10% by weight.
[0039] The control unit 110 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample collector 112 may be configured to collect samples of the collected biogas from the measuring jars 106 periodically. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sample collector 112 may be, but not limited to, a gas syringe, a gas sampling pump, a passive sampler, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sample collector 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensor 114 may be configured to evaluate the methane content and the Hydrogen sulphide content in the collected samples. According to embodiments of the present invention, the gas sensor 114 may be, but not limited to, an MQ1 gas sensor, an MQ3 gas sensor, an MQ4 gas sensor, an MQ5 gas sensor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensor 114 may be an MQ2 gas sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the gas sensor 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the moisture sensor 116 may be configured to evaluate the moisture content in the collected samples. According to embodiments of the present invention, the moisture sensor 116 may be, but not limited to, an RHCM-40 series sensor, a ceramic sensor, a volumetric water content sensor, a TDR sensor, a neutron probe sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the moisture sensor 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 118 may be configured to display a data of the evaluated attributes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the evaluated attributes may be selected such as, but not limited to, the methane content, the Hydrogen sulphide content, the moisture content, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the attributes that may be evaluated in the gas samples, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0044] According to embodiments of the present invention, the display unit 118 maybe, but not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and so forth. Further, the display unit 118 may feature a backlight that may be turned on and/or turned off based on a requirement. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 118 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit 110 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 110 may comprise a data calculation module 200, a sample collection Module 202, and a quality monitoring module 204.
[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data calculation module 200 may be configured to calculate the gas production by detecting a decrease in the water level within the measuring jars 106, based on a water displacement method. In an embodiment of the present invention, the water displacement method may measure the volume of gases released during the chemical reactions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the water displacement method may collect the gas in the container submerged in water and measure a change in the water level to determine the volume of gas produced. Further, the data collection module may be configured to transmit the calculated data to the sample collection module 202.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample collection Module 202 may be configured to enable the sample collector 112 to collect samples of the collected biogas from the measuring jars 106 periodically. Upon enabling the sample collector 112, the sample collection Module 202 may activate the quality monitoring module 204.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the quality monitoring module 204 may be configured to monitor the quality of the collected samples by evaluating attributes such as, the methane content, the Hydrogen sulphide content, and the moisture content through the gas sensor 114 and the moisture sensor 116.
[0049] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for enhancing a quality of the biogas, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] At step 302, the mixture of cow dung and ground organic liquid feedstock may be introduced into the digesters 102.
[0051] At step 304, the silica gel may be added in the particulate form to each of the digester 102 in the proportion of 0.5% by weight of the ground organic liquid feedstock.
[0052] At step 306, the levelling tubes 104 may be connected from each of the digesters 102 to the measuring jars 106.
[0053] At step 308, the measuring jars 106 may be placed in the inverted position in the plastic tubs 108 for ensuring water is filled in the measuring jars 106 and the plastic tubs 108 for holding gas.
[0054] At step 310, the produced biogas may be collected in the digesters 102 through the levelling tubes 104 into the measuring jar 106. The decrease in the water level in the measuring jars 106 indicates gas production may be calculated based on the water displacement method.
[0055] At step 312, the digesters 102 may be allowed to operate for the period of time ranging from 20 days to 30 days to facilitate the anaerobic digestion of the feedstock and biogas production.
[0056] At step 314, the gas samples may be collected on day-to-day basis and the monitored the quality of sludge and biogas.
[0057] At step 316, the biogas production may rest by the control unit 110 when the collected samples of produced biogas exhibit results such as, but not limited to, the methane content of at least 60% by volume, the Hydrogen sulphide content of less than 100 ppm, the moisture content of less than 10% by weight, and so forth.
[0058] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0059] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for enhancing a quality of biogas produced from polluted feedstock, characterized in that the system (100) comprising:
digesters (102a-102n) adapted to receive a combination of cow dung and ground organic liquid feedstock to perform an anaerobic digestion, wherein silica gel is added to enhance a biogas production in each of the digesters (102a-102n) in a proportion of 0.5 percentage (%) by weight of the ground organic liquid feedstock;
levelling tubes (104a-104n) connected from each of the digesters (102a-102n) to measuring jars (106a-106n), and adapted to collect the produced biogas from the digesters (102a-102n);
plastic tubs (108a-108n) adapted to hold the measuring jars (106a-106n) in an inverted position such that a water remains present in the measuring jars (106a-106n) and the plastic tubs (108a-108n) to hold the collected gas; and
a control unit (110) arranged in a proximity to the measuring jars (106a-106n), and configured to:
calculate the gas production by detecting a decrease in a water level within the measuring jars (106a-106n);
enable a sample collector (112) to collect samples of the collected biogas from the measuring jars (106a-106n) periodically; and
monitor a quality of the collected samples by evaluating attributes selected from a methane content, a Hydrogen sulphide content, a moisture content, and/or a combination thereof.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ground organic liquid feedstock is selected from a food waste, an animal waste, an agricultural waste, a water, and/or a combination thereof.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the levelling tube (104a-104n) comprises a sealant to prevent an air and/or water leakage.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is connected to a gas sensor (114) to evaluate the methane content or the Hydrogen sulphide content in the collected samples.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is connected to a moisture sensor (116) to evaluate the moisture content in the collected samples.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to rest the biogas production when the collected samples of the produced biogas exhibit results selected from a methane content of at least 60 percentage (%) by volume, the Hydrogen sulphide content of less than 100 parts per million (ppm), a moisture content of less than 10 percentage (%) by weight, and/or a combination thereof.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to display a data of the evaluated attributes to a display unit (118).
8. A method (300) for enhancing a quality of biogas, comprising the steps of:
introducing a mixture of cow dung and ground organic liquid feedstock into digesters (102a-102n), wherein an amount of the cow dung ranges from 5 percentage (%) to 10 percentage (%) by weight of the mixture;
adding silica gel, in particulate form, to each of the digester (102a-102n) in a proportion of 0.5 percentage (%) by weight of the ground organic liquid feedstock;
connecting levelling tubes (104a-104n) from each of the digesters (102a-102n) to measuring jars (106a-106n);
placing measuring jars (106a-106n) in an inverted position in plastic tubs (108a-108n) to ensure water is filled in the measuring jars (106a-106n) and the plastic tubs (108a-108n) for holding gas;
collecting the produced biogas in the digesters (102a-102n) through the levelling tubes (104a-104n) into the measuring jar (108a-108n), wherein a decrease in water level in the measuring jars (106a-106n) indicates gas production and is calculated based on a water displacement method;
allowing the digesters (102a-102n) to operate for a period of time ranging from 20 days to 30 days to facilitate an anaerobic digestion of the feedstock and biogas production; and
collecting samples on a day-to-day basis and monitoring the quality of sludge and biogas.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, comprising a step of resting the biogas production by the control unit (110) when the collected samples of produced biogas exhibit results selected from a methane content of at least 60 percentage (%) by volume, a Hydrogen sulphide content of less than 100 parts per million (ppm), a moisture content of less than 10 percentage (%) by weight, and/or a combination thereof.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the digesters (102a-102n) operate at a controlled temperature within a range of 30 degrees Celsius (°C) to 37 degrees Celsius (°C).

Date: October 26, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant