DE102008038065A1 - Biogas plant-fermenter comprises fermenter container, which is formed from two container elements, feeding device for biomass to be fermented, rolling device for substrate in the fermenter container, heating device, and gas removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

The biogas plant-fermenter (1) comprises a fermenter container, which is formed from two container elements (2, 3), a feeding device for the biomass to be fermented, a rolling device (13, 14) for a substrate in the fermenter container, a heating device, and a gas removal device. The container elements have a cylindrical or prismatic form, are horizontally arranged next to each other and aligned parallel in longitudinal direction, and are respectively connected to the opposing front sides with flow pipes (6, 7) for substrate flow. The rolling device is circularly rollable with the substrate. The biogas plant-fermenter (1) comprises a fermenter container, which is formed from two container elements (2, 3), a feeding device for the biomass to be fermented, a rolling device (13, 14) for a substrate in the fermenter container, a heating device, and a gas removal device. The container elements have a cylindrical or prismatic form, are horizontally arranged next to each other and aligned parallel in longitudinal direction, and are respectively connected to the opposing front sides with flow pipes (6, 7) for a substrate flow. The rolling device is circularly rollable with the substrate in the container elements and the flow pipes. The substrate flows into the container elements in a counter flow direction. The container elements are common parts and the flow pipes are assembly module of a fermenter kit. The assembly module has a maximum transverse extension and maximum longitudinal extension, which are allowed for a road transport, so that a complete fermenter kit is transportable from a production work to an installation location with a heavy goods vehicle such as low-bed trailer and is mountable on the location. A transportable container is provided as further kit element additionally for the fermenter kit with a controller and a combined heat and power plant, which are incorporated in the transportable container. The front side openings are eccentrically introduced on the container elements for connecting the flow pipes, so that the opening in the lower area is arranged to the container element in the placed and mounted state of the container element and the opening in the upper area is arranged to the adjacent container element in the front side, so that the corresponding flow pipe obliquely, upwardly runs from one container to other container. During the use of two container elements, the opening of the upper area is arranged in longitudinal direction oppositely with one container element and the opening in the lower area is arranged in the other container element, so that the flow pipe obliquely, downwardly runs from one container to the other container. The flow pipes are formed to the openings of the container elements by a slanted straight tubular piece running in a transverse direction with connecting pieces (38) originating from the tubular piece, where the flow pipe-diameter is 0.2-0.8 of the container element-diameter. A controllable conveyor screw that is controlled in the rotating direction is arranged as rolling device in the tubular piece and/or coaxially in the connecting piece. The upper end of the tubular piece is detachably closed with a bearing lid, through which a screw shaft is rotatably guided and at which the screw-shaft drive is kept. An upper bearing lid is introduced at the lower end of the tubular piece for a second bearing point of the screw shaft. The upper end of the tubular piece and/or an upper bearing lid lies in the height over the normal substrate level in the assigned container element. A paddle-agitator is built as emergency agitator in one of the container elements with vertical drive shaft. Pipelines are connected in the bottom area of the container element and connected with a controllable pump. The container elements are aerially placed on supporting elements with aerially placed pipelines or if necessary partially inserted in the bottom. The container elements have a circular-cylindrical shape with embossed front sides. The container elements, the connecting pieces and/or the flow pipes are produced form glass-fiber reinforced plastic material or similar material or optionally from stainless steel or laminated concrete. A heating process takes place in one of the container elements by a separate heating wall. A heating tube of a heater and a heat insulator are integrated in double-walled container walls with container elements made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic material. The heating tube directly lies at the inner wall. A biomass-solid-supply takes place from top to the container element over a supply shaft by inserting optionally with a feed screw and/or by pressing in the lower area through a supply opening into the container element. The container elements have a gas removal connection and optionally further connecting pieces for sensors of control engineering at the top. An elongated gas sack is introduced and anchored in the longitudinal area between the container elements.

Description

The The invention relates to a biogas plant fermenter according to the preamble of claim 1.

One Biogas plant fermenter generally consists of a fermenter tank and further comprises a charging device for fermenting biomass and a Umwaltersinrichtung for a substrate in the fermenter tank, a heater and a gas sampling.

Biogas plant fermenters are built in different versions:
A well-known biogas plant fermenter ( DE 199 28 212 A1 ) consists of a cylindrical, lying tank with a paddle stirrer contained therein with a continuous horizontal axis. The circulation and mixing of the substrate takes place here only in this single tank. In the event of faults in this paddle stirrer, the cost of maintenance and repair work is considerable, since the entire tank must be emptied regularly for this purpose.

at another well-known embodiment of biogas plants be large circular cylindrical ring container usually made of concrete with a vertical axis as a fermenter tank used with a concrete ceiling or a tent roof if necessary Gas storage are covered. Such facilities become regular produced as individually planned, relatively large plants.

While so far the trend towards ever larger biogas plants in the MW range with suitable developments has resulted from the EEG 2009 (Energieeinspeisungsgesetz 2009) for smaller agricultural biogas plants a power less than 150 KW electrical power economically interesting feed-in tariffs. Such biogas plant sizes are especially for medium-sized agricultural Farms with about 100 to 200 livestock units suitable, with on the one hand accumulating manure can be disposed of and on the other hand electrical energy is provided, which is profitable can be fed into a network.

The The present invention has for its object a biogas plant fermenter for such relatively small biogas plants, the is particularly easy to set up and install, and inexpensive manufacturable and easy to use and maintain.

These The object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

According to claim 1, the fermenter container consists of at least two container elements, the have a cylindrical or prismatic shape and the horizontal aligned in the longitudinal direction parallel to each other are. Preferably, exactly two container elements are juxtaposed used.

The Container elements are each at the side by side End faces with flow tubes for a substrate flow connected, wherein at least one circulating device provided is, with the substrate in the container elements and the Flow tubes so annular recirculation is that substrate in adjacent container elements each flows in a countercurrent direction.

According to experience, biogas plants with a capacity of approx. 150 KW require a fermenter tank with a capacity of approx. 750 m ³ , with a smaller capacity with a correspondingly lower content. This required total content is divided according to the invention on two ring-shaped through-flow side container elements that can be produced much easier due to the each reduced to about half size, transport and assemble compared to a single fermenter tank with the entire volume. In addition, this makes the circulation and mixing technology easier, more effective and more energy-saving. These advantages and further advantages will be explained in more detail below with reference to specific refinements and developments, as claimed in the subclaims.

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the container elements and the flow tubes assembly modules of a fermenter kit. The assembly modules are intended to have a maximum width and maximum length, which are permitted for road transport, so that in particular a complete fermenter kit from a manufacturing plant to a site with a truck, such as a low loader transportable and there can be mounted on site. The above-described fermenter contents can be easily realized with container elements of such dimensions permissible for road transport. Simple, normal transport options are available with maximum container widths of approx. 3 m and maximum container lengths of 15 m; for special transports even slightly larger container elements of approx. 4 m width to 25 m length are unproblematic. The above fermenter kit can be easily standardized and graded to different fermenter sizes. Transport is thus very easy and extremely inexpensive to carry out. The installation effort on site is also very low, since the mounting modules in the factory largely before can be made and at the installation essentially only have to be plugged together and fixed.

Similar as for the above mounting modules will claim with 3 proposed as a further component of the fermenter kit a transportable Container to use, in which a CHP (combined heat and power plant) and required control devices are included.

Such compact and easy to install as well as easy to disassemble Biogas plants have considerable cost advantages and are suitable, for example also for a plant lease or a hire purchase. Consequently are also here with regard to the financing of a biogas plant in addition to the usual purchase other options opened. In addition, such facilities can be simple other places are implemented.

Especially with regard to the circulation and stirring technology in the basic arrangement according to the invention with flow connected container elements particularly simple, effective and energy-saving solutions possible. According to claim 4 is proposed in a specific embodiment that the frontal openings on the container elements for connecting the flow tubes off-center so are attached that in the erected and assembled state of Container elements a flow tube in an end face obliquely goes up and in the longitudinal opposite Front side region a local flow pipe at an angle goes down. This makes it at the annular circulating flow of the substrate possible, floating layers from a container over an angle bottom flow tube in the other container Feeding down again, so in addition to the horizontal extending mixture still adds a vertical mixed component, since the previously fed below floating layers at the passage move back up through the container element. At the Output of this container element are the floating layers removed again above and in the other container element below fed. With this arrangement is thus without large Effort received an intensive mixing of the substrate.

expedient become according to claim 5, the flow tubes respectively a transverse, oblique, straight Pipe piece with outgoing connecting piece to the openings the container elements formed. For a sufficient Flow through these pieces of pipe is depending on the Given a flow tube diameter in a range from 0.2 to 0.8 of the container element diameter required be. Additionally or alternatively, a screw conveyor also coaxially mounted in a preferred upper connection piece be. This can still be used on the free end of the screw with agitator blades be provided to increase the Sauwirkung and possibly accumulations of solids to destroy.

at Use of such a straight piece of pipe is the use a particularly simple and inexpensive and energy-saving Circulation possible. According to claim 6 is in at least one piece of pipe, preferably in each piece of pipe the arrangement uses a controllable screw conveyor, the known a particularly high flow efficiency Has. The auger drive can for a Redirecting the flow direction and thus possibly one more intensive mixing of the substrate in the direction of rotation reversible be.

In a structurally simple embodiment according to claim 7 can do this with a worm shaft in a detachable bearing cap be held and guided at the upper end of the pipe piece. Optionally, also on the lower tube piece end a bearing cap provided for a second bearing point of the worm shaft become.

Around If necessary, a screw conveyor simply and without lowering to be able to expand the substrate level is, with claim 8 proposed that the upper pipe piece end or a Upper bearing cap in height above normal Substrate level is located in the associated container element.

According to claim 9, in particular as an emergency agitator at least in one Container element a paddle mixer with vertical Be installed drive shaft.

In a further embodiment according to claim 10 are in the floor area the container elements lines connected and with a connected controllable pump. About it can ever if necessary recirculated liquids and in particular if necessary, the container elements are emptied. Such Cables as well as the flow tubes can in a conventional manner at the connection points with compensating elements be provided, which can accommodate small relative displacements.

Prefers become according to claim 11, the container elements above ground placed on support elements and also the required Lines laid above ground. This has the advantage of being special easy installation and all-round accessibility for Maintenance work and possibly repair work. The arrangement is suitable but possibly also for installation in the ground.

To Claim 12, the container elements are a circular cylindrical Form with domed faces have what the manufacture by Winding process especially in fiberglass material simplified and cheaper. In principle, the container elements but also other diameter shapes, such as oval shapes or rectangular shapes.

To Claim 13, the container elements and / or connecting pieces and / or the flow tubes preferably made of GRP material (fiberglass reinforced plastic material) to be made since here with the right selection of used synthetic resins and laminates Corrosion problems are safely switched off. The protruding parts but may also be made of similar material or made of stainless steel or laminated concrete.

The required substrate heating can according to claim 14 in a conventional manner by a separate heating wall in at least one of the container elements can be realized. A much easier one and more effective execution of a heater results according to claim 15 in that this together with a thermal insulation in double-walled container walls preferably integrated with container elements made of fiberglass, with heating pipes directly lie on the inner wall. Such container elements can with integrated heating and thermal insulation already prefabricated in the factory, whereby the assembly costs and possibly a disassembly effort can be significantly reduced.

A Biomass solid feed can be known per se A method according to claim 16 via an upper feed chute done and / or by pressing in a lower area through a feed opening in at least one container element.

Of the required gas extraction connection and, if necessary, further connecting pieces for sensors of the control technology are according to claim 17 arranged in the upper region of the container elements.

For a particularly compact embodiment of further upgraded Biogas plant can according to claim 18 in the longitudinal area between and over adjacent container elements elongated airbag are attached and anchored.

Based An embodiment of the invention will be closer explained.

It demonstrate:

1 a top view of a biogas plant fermenter with two container elements,

2 an end view of the biogas plant fermenter after 1 .

3 a longitudinal section through a fermenter tank along the line AA 1 , and

4 a section through a partial cutout of a double-walled container wall.

In 1 is a biogas plant fermenter 1 shown in a plan view with two parallel juxtaposed container elements 2 . 3 , which can be made as equal parts. The container elements 2 . 3 have a circular cylindrical shape with domed ends and are made of GRP material. The container elements lie with horizontal longitudinal axes parallel to each other on transverse support elements 4 . 5 , which is the lower circular shape of the container elements 2 . 3 are adjusted. The container elements 2 . 3 are each on the adjacent end faces with flow tubes 6 . 7 connected. These each consist of a transversely extending straight pipe section 8th . 9 from the respective connecting piece 38 via a flange connection to corresponding openings of the container elements 2 . 3 to lead.

From the front view 2 It can be seen that the openings of the container elements are arranged off-center so that the pipe section 9 from the container element 2 obliquely down to the container element 3 leads and on the longitudinal opposite side of the pipe section 8th conversely, starting from the container element 3 from top to bottom to the container element 2 leads.

The pipe pieces 8th and 9 are each at their upper tube ends by a detachable bearing cap 10 . 11 closed, in which a worm shaft of a screw conveyor 13 . 14 rotatably mounted and an associated worm shaft drive 15 . 16 is held. Another bearing cap 17 . 18 may be mounted opposite as a second bearing point for the worm shaft.

Alternatively or additionally, a screw conveyor 14a with a worm shaft drive 16a also coaxial in a connecting piece 38a be included and possibly end with impellers 40 be equipped.

In operation of the biogas plant with substrate in the container elements 2 . 3 a circulation and mixing takes place in such a way that from the container 2 with the screw conveyor 14 Substrate withdrawn from the upper area with floated biomass and in the lower part of the container element 3 is fed, so that a longitudinal flow in the container element 3 along the arrows 19 results. In addition, the lighter floating layers float as they pass through the container member 3 again, as in longitudinal section through the container 3 in 3 is shown, so that there is also a vertical mixing component. Accordingly, then done with the screw conveyor 13 a promotion from the upper region of the container element 3 in the lower area of the container element 2 with an opposite flow according to the arrows 20 for a total annular flow in the counterclockwise direction. Depending on requirements, the directions of the screw conveyor 13 . 14 be reversed so that then a mixing with an annular flow in a clockwise direction corresponding to the dashed arrows 21 . 22 arises.

Next are at the bottom portions of the container elements 2 . 3 fluid lines 23 connected in a double-T arrangement and with a controllable pump 24 connected, thereby circulating liquid as needed and / or the container elements 2 . 3 can be pumped off when needed.

Only schematically are known heating walls 25 . 26 in the container elements 2 . 3 located. However, the container walls are preferred 27 according to 4 double-walled made of GRP material, being between an inner wall 28 and an outer wall 29 heating pipes 30 a heater and a thermal insulation 31 are integrated.

A biomass solid feed 32 is here only schematically in a conventional manner via a feed chute on the container element 2 shown.

Next is on the container elements 2 . 3 in each case a connecting piece as a gas extraction connection 33 . 34 represented, to each of which a gas storage is connected. A convenient space-saving arrangement of such a gas storage as a gas bag 35 is schematic in 2 shown, wherein the gas bag 35 in the longitudinal direction above and between the container elements 2 . 3 arranged and anchored.

In longitudinal section through the container element 3 is in a further embodiment possibility, in particular as Notrührwerk a paddle agitator 36 located.

The container elements 2 . 3 are dimensioned in their dimensions so that they are suitable for road transport and together with the flow tubes 6 . 7 as well as the other elements assembly modules of a fermenter kit form, which are easy to install on site. In addition, a (not shown) transportable container with a built-in CHP and the control technology can be used as another component of the fermenter kit.

In the 1 and 2 is also dashed another container element 37 indicated, with the basic possibility of expansion by a flow connection with the container element 3 should be shown. The container element 37 can also be a gas storage.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 19928212 A1 [0003]

Claims (18)

Biogas plant fermenter with a fermenter tank, with a feed device for biomass to be fermented, with a circulation device for a substrate in the fermenter container, with a heating device, and with a gas extraction, characterized in that the fermenter container from at least two container elements ( 2 . 3 ) are formed, which have a cylindrical or prismatic shape and which are arranged horizontally aligned in the longitudinal direction parallel to each other, that the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) each at the adjacent end faces with flow tubes ( 6 . 7 ) are connected for a substrate flow, and that at least one circulating device ( 13 . 14 ) is provided, with the substrate in the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) and the flow tubes ( 6 . 7 ) is so annularly circulated that substrate in adjacent container elements ( 2 . 3 ) flows in each case in a countercurrent device. Biogas plant fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) preferably as equal parts and the flow tubes ( 6 . 7 ) Assembly modules of a fermentation kit and the mounting modules have a maximum transverse extent and maximum longitudinal extent, which are permissible for road transport, so that preferably a complete fermenter kit from a manufacturing plant to a site with a truck, especially a low loader transportable and there can be mounted on site. Biogas plant fermenter according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that in addition to the fermenter kit as a further construction element of the biogas plant a transportable Container with built-in control and a built-in CHP (cogeneration plant) is provided. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the frontal openings on the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) for connecting the flow tubes ( 6 . 7 ) are mounted off-center so that in the erected and assembled state of the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) on a container element ( 3 ) the opening in the lower region and in the frontally adjacent container element ( 2 ), the opening is arranged in the upper region, so that the corresponding flow tube ( 7 ) from a container ( 3 ) to the other container ( 2 ) runs obliquely upward, and that in particular when using two container elements ( 2 . 3 ) in the longitudinal direction opposite to a container element ( 3 ) the opening in the upper area and in the other container ( 2 ) the opening is arranged in the lower region, so that the local flow tube ( 6 ) from a container ( 3 ) to the other container ( 2 ) runs obliquely downwards. Biogas plant fermenter according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow tubes ( 6 . 7 ) in each case by a transversely extending, inclined, straight pipe section ( 8th . 9 ) with outgoing connecting pieces ( 38 ) to the openings of the container elements ( 2 . 3 ), wherein the flow tube diameter should preferably be in a range of 0.2 to 0.8 of the container element diameter. Biogas plant fermenter according to claim 5, characterized in that as a circulating device in at least one piece of pipe ( 8th . 9 ) preferably in each pipe section ( 8th . 9 ) and / or coaxially in at least one connecting piece ( 38 ) a controllable, especially in the direction of rotation reversible screw conveyor ( 13 . 14 ) is arranged. Biogas plant fermenter according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper tube piece end with a bearing cap ( 10 . 11 ) is releasably closed by a worm shaft is rotatably guided and on which the worm shaft drive ( 15 . 16 ), optionally at the lower end of the pipe piece a lower bearing cap ( 17 . 18 ) is mounted for a second bearing point of the worm shaft. Biogas plant fermenter according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper tube piece end or an upper bearing cap ( 10 . 11 ) in height above the normal substrate level ( 39 ) in the associated container element ( 2 . 3 ) lies. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least in one of the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) a paddle stirrer ( 36 ) is installed with a vertical drive shaft, in particular as an emergency agitator. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the bottom region of the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) Cables ( 23 ) and with a controllable pump ( 24 ) are connected. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the container elements ( 2 . 3 Above ground on support elements ( 4 . 5 ) are placed with above ground lines or possibly at least partially in the ground are admitted. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) have a circular cylindrical shape with domed end faces. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) and / or connecting pieces and / or the flow tubes ( 6 . 7 ) are preferably made of GRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic material) or a similar material or optionally made of stainless steel or laminated concrete. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a heating by a separate heating wall ( 25 . 26 ) in at least one of the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) he follows. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the heating pipes ( 30 ) of a heating system and a thermal insulation ( 31 ) in double-walled container walls ( 27 ) preferably in container elements ( 2 . 3 ) are integrated from GFK, whereby the heating pipes ( 30 ) directly on the inner wall ( 28 ) lie. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a biomass solid feed ( 32 ) from above on at least one container element ( 2 . 3 ) via a feed chute by a throw-in possibly with a feed screw and / or by pressing in a lower region through a feed opening in at least one container element ( 2 . 3 ) he follows. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the container elements ( 2 . 3 ) above a gas extraction port ( 33 . 34 ) and optionally have further connecting pieces for sensors of the control technology. Biogas plant fermenter according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that in the longitudinal region between and above adjacent container elements ( 2 . 3 ) an elongated airbag ( 35 ) is attached and anchored.