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Tech Report

In methane digester projects, regulating the digester temperature at 101°F presents significant challenges. This report outlines various heating solutions, comparing water propulsion and helix-coil heating methods. The findings indicate that helix-coil systems are more energy-efficient, maintaining temperature with less water and reduced fabrication time. Solutions explored include electrical, solar, and gravity heating. The electrical heating system emerges as the optimal choice due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and potential integration with produced gas to enhance efficiency and ensure consistent temperature control.

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Tech Report

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Tech Report Joe Clough Methane Digester

  2. Problem Statement • For my project a major problem is being able to regulate the temperature of the digester. The temperature needs to be regulated at 101 F.

  3. Solution • My solution was to use water to heat the system and keep it at a regulated temperature. To do this I will be using a PLC and temperature sensor.

  4. Design

  5. Design Comparisons Water Propulsion* Helix-coil Heating • Too much water • Takes a lot of energy to heat the water • Time consuming fabrication • Digester spinning inside container • Water used to heat both digester and serves as insulation • Less water • Takes a lot of energy to heat the water • Less Fabrication • Digester is stationary (requires agitation) • Uses insulation to protect from outside elements

  6. System Efficiency Water Propulsion Helix-Coil heating • Using a water heater it would take significantly more power to heat than with a helix- coil, pump would have to cycle the water a majority of the time • A water heater would heat a significantly less amount of water and with the insulation protecting the temperature from the outside environment, it would keep the heat better

  7. Heating Designs • Electrical Heating • Solar Heating • Gravity Heating

  8. Solar Design • Collectors • Must be sunny (reasonably) • Volume of hot water storage is large • Lower temperature • Bigger range temp

  9. Solar Design cont. • Holding tank heating • During nights and winter: solar is low; needs additional heating system

  10. Optional Gravity Heating

  11. Optional Forced Heating

  12. Electrical Heating • Rinnai water heater • Runs off gas • Temp accurate to 1 F • Up to 5.3 GPM

  13. Solar Heating Problems • Some problems: • Solar system is expensive • Solar system also needs large storage area • Requires another source of heating during the winter months • More of a secondary heater • Cumbersome

  14. Gravity/Pump Problems Some Problems: • In gravity system the heater would be above what is being heated • Forced heating system needs extra pump • Hard to regulate water temp. (expansion requires full range 0-100 Celsius to flow)

  15. Electrical Problems • Some Problems: • Expenses

  16. Cost Analysis • Solar Heating System • 50 gal system ------$1000+ • Gravity/Pump System • $500 ----- (includes pump and boiler) • Electrical Rinnai System • $500

  17. My Choice • Electrical Heating system • Simplest and guaranteed to work • Saves on Expenses • Potentially can run on the gas produced

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