Design, Construction and Implementation of a Pilot Scale Anaerobic Digester at the University of...

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Proceedings available at: Animal manure is often utilized by the American agriculture industry as fertilizer without considering the potential energy production. It is well established that on-farm anaerobic digestion (AD) can be effective in providing energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and controlling air and water pollutions. Knowledge of the ADs on biogas production, digested and stored manure nutrients, and air emissions must reach parties of interest. A modular, pilot-scale, mesophilic AD system is being installed for the new swine finishing facility at University of Missouri-Columbia Research Farm.

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Design, Construction and Implementation of a Pilot

Scale Anaerobic Digester at the University of Missouri’s

Swine Teaching and Research FarmBy:

Brandon HarveyResearch Assistant, Agricultural Systems Management

Teng LimAssistant Professor, Agricultural System Management

Kevin RohrerEngineer, Martin Machinery

Purpose of Project

• Establish a pilot scale, on-farm anaerobic digester

– Potential Renewable Energy Production

– Manure Management

– Economic Viability

– Odor Control

Purpose of Project

• Research will provide information for small to medium sized farms seeking:

– Viable energy alternatives

– Practical manure management practices

– Air quality improvements

University of MO-Swine Farm

Located approx. 5 miles from campus

Consist of 2 barns-Research-Teaching

West - trailer courtEast- several homesSouth- University FarmNorth- Undeveloped land

Construction Details

• Finishing Barns• Valve Control & Manhole• Dual Tank Design• Heat Exchanger• Gas Systems• Water Heaters• Control Panels

Finishing barns

Chopper pump

Scraper system

Existing

Lagoon

Modified water heater

Back-up natural gas

heater

Positive displacement

pumpManhole

Mixing tank

Digester 2

Digester 1

Biogas Bladder

Condensate Trap

Shelter Flare

Valve Control Box

Radiant Heat

Pressure relief

Flow meter

Mixing tank

Iron Sponge

Heat Exchanger

Anaerobic Digester System

Finishing barns

Finishing Barns

• 136’*42’ finishing barn• 85 Hogs per room (50-250 lbs.)• 1.1 gallon/day manure per hog• 8’ deep pit• Plug flow system

Finishing barns

Chopper pump

Scraper system

Existing

Lagoon

Modified water heater

Back-up natural gas

heater

Positive displacement

pumpManhole

Mixing tank

Digester 2

Digester 1

Biogas Bladder

Condensate Trap

Shelter Flare

Valve Control Box

Radiant Heat

Pressure relief

Flow meter

Mixing tank

Iron Sponge

Heat Exchanger

Anaerobic Digester System

Valve Control & Manhole

Chopper pump

Manhole

Valve Control Box

Finishing barns

Chopper pump

Scraper system

Existing

Lagoon

Modified water heater

Back-up natural gas

heater

Positive displacement

pumpManhole

Mixing tank

Digester 2

Digester 1

Biogas Bladder

Condensate Trap

Shelter Flare

Valve Control Box

Radiant Heat

Pressure relief

Flow meter

Mixing tank

Iron Sponge

Heat Exchanger

Anaerobic Digester System

Digester

• 3, 2500 gallon reinforced fiberglass tanks• Flexibility:

• Single stage two-stream parallel replication• Dual stage single-stream experiment

Positive displacement

pump

Digester 2

Digester 1

Heat Exchanger

Mixing tank

Fiberglass Tanks

• Digester Tank– Reinforced fiberglass– 2500 gal– Heating tubes – Nozzle mixer– Anti-foaming sprayer

Finishing barns

Chopper pump

Scraper system

Existing

Lagoon

Modified water heater

Back-up natural gas

heater

Positive displacement

pumpManhole

Mixing tank

Digester 2

Digester 1

Biogas Bladder

Condensate Trap

Shelter Flare

Valve Control Box

Radiant Heat

Pressure relief

Flow meter

Mixing tank

Iron Sponge

Heat Exchanger

Anaerobic Digester System

Gas Systems

Iron Sponge

Biogas Blower

Iron Sponge Media

Gas Bladder• Biogas rated plastic

• 12’*15’*5’ inflated

• Housed in wooden structure

• Weighted to maintain line pressure

Finishing barns

Chopper pump

Scraper system

Existing

Lagoon

Modified water heater

Back-up natural gas

heater

Positive displacement

pumpManhole

Mixing tank

Digester 2

Digester 1

Biogas Bladder

Condensate Trap

Shelter Flare

Valve Control Box

Radiant Heat

Pressure relief

Flow meter

Mixing tank

Iron Sponge

Heat Exchanger

Anaerobic Digester System

Water Heaters

Biogaswater heater

Back-up natural gas

heater

• 1 Hog produces 2000 BTU of methane per day

• 2000 BTU*170 hogs= 340,000 BTU/40000 = 8.5 hrs.

• Natural gas to supplement when needed

Control System

Control Panels

Control Panel w/ touch screen

VFD controllers on reverse side

Greenhouse

What was Learned

• Design/ Implementation:– Complex – Time Consuming

• Significant Consideration:– Barn manure capacity– Maintaining manure freshness/ solids

content– Project management

Future Plans

• Currently– Awaiting startup (May 1, 2013)– Awaiting manure VSS test to determine loading

rate– Awaiting system test trails

Future Plans

• Improved design efficiency of heat-exchanger• Effects of feedstock characteristics• Co-digestion• Feedstock pre- treatment on biogas

production• Characterizing greenhouse gas emissions from

untreated manure and AD- treated manure

Summary

• Purpose of Project

• Project Design/Construction

• What was learned

• Future Plans

Acknowledgements

MU- College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

MU- Commercial Agriculture Program

Dr. Tim Safranski

Dr. Joe Zulovich

University Field Operations

Questions?