DE19828889A1 - Biogas production by co-fermentation of harvested crops and organic waste - Google Patents

Abstract

Co-fermentation of harvested crops and organic waste to produce biogas for energy generation. A process for co-fermentation (simultaneous fermentation in admixture) of harvested crops (e.g. starch, sugars, cellulose and fats) and organic waste and residual material (e.g. agricultural liquid manure, clarifier sludge, slurry, food waste, etc.) to produce methane-containing biogas which can be utilized for secondary energy production.

Description

Before commencing co-fermentation, the crops must be maximized by mechanical methods Particle size can be reduced. To ensure storage stability (storage of solar energy), and To ensure optimal bacterial activity of the co-fermentation process is a pre-acidification of the fermenting crops necessary. There are also natural barriers that hinder energy release to break (e.g. unlocking by breaking the shells). The crops treated in this way are continuously mixed and homogenized with the organic residues and into the fermenter (Biogas reactor) given for outgassing. In the fermenter, this mixture is optimal Operating temperature warmed to stimulate the bacterial life required to produce methane gas. In this way, the solar energy stored in the crop is converted into usable gas converted (generation of electrical and thermal energy by combined heat and power (CHP)) Heat coupling).

This process makes it possible to exploit the energy production potential of agricultural land Co-fermentation of all crops in connection with organic residues in commercially usable energy convert according to needs.  

Co-fermentation of crops and organic residues

It is known that in biogas plants (gastight digester) by maintaining an optimal Operating temperature and periodic homogenization of the contents through biological processes a flammable Gas - essentially consisting of methane and carbon dioxide - is created (biogas) from which one can get through Application of combined heat and power plants can produce electricity and heat. Furthermore is known that photosynthesis can store solar energy in crops and, if necessary, for Can make human and animal nutrition usable through mechanical and biological processes.

So far, however, the problem has been all energy from all plants found in nature Making the production of electrical and thermal energy usable as required.

The solution is the co-fermentation of crops and organic residues in biogas plants in Connection with combined heat and power plants.

The advantages of this procedure are detailed

• 1. Use of the stored solar energy in all plants occurring in nature for production of secondary energy (electricity and heat).
• 2. Development of agricultural land for the direct generation of secondary energy
• 3. Reduction of the atmospheric CO ₂ concentration by binding very large amounts of CO ₂
• 4. CO ₂ -neutral energy generation from renewable raw materials thereby contributing to the reduction of CO ₂ emissions as a declared goal of the federal government
• 5. Securing the existence of agriculture through energy production
• 6. Optimization of the energy balance in commercial and agricultural businesses through Improved use of resources in the form of combined heat and power. This means independence from environmentally harmful and risky energy production methods.
• 7. Reduction of the conventional by co-fermentation of crops and organic residues Pollution immission into the environment.
• 8. Promote innovation by exploring alternative combinations of new and known processes
• 9. Optimization of decentralized energy use

Embodiment

Conventional cultivation of e.g. B. corn or potatoes, etc. as a crop. Harvesting the corn through conventional harvesting technology (forage harvester). Store and preserve (silage) in field rents or Tower silos. This saves the storage-stable raw material.

If necessary, this will be combined with the conventional biogas process if there is a corresponding demand for energy Liquid manure or sewage sludge operated biogas plants or digestion towers by mechanical or hydraulic conveyor technology (e.g. conveyor belts, pumps). In the biogas plant, the Co-fermentation (joint fermentation) the stored solar energy of the corn by the in liquid manure and sewage sludge converted methane bacteria into biogas. With the generated biogas, a Combined heat and power plant operated. A combined heat and power plant consists of a gas-burning engine and a affiliated generator. The generator produces electrical power that is used across an existing network can be. The waste heat from the drive motor is transferred to the exhaust gas heat exchanger and Cooling circuit heat exchanger stored in buffer stores and, if necessary, an existing one Heating circuit (e.g. district heating) supplied.

Claims (1)

The process of co-fermentation (joint fermentation, methane fermentation) of crops and organic residues for the conversion of primary energy into secondary energy is to be protected, characterized in that the stored energy of photosynthesis from crops (e.g. starch, sugar, Cellulose and fat) converted into methane-containing biogas by means of common fermentation with organic residues (e.g. agricultural liquid manure, sewage sludge, mate, food residues, etc.), which can be used for secondary energy production.