DE8030385U1 - REACTION CHAMBER FOR THE EXTRACTION OF METHANE GAS FROM BIOMASS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a reaction chamber for extraction of methane gas from biomass.

There are already some methods and devices for the production of biogas from biomass are known in which a conditioned biomass is introduced into a treatment chamber or a reactor, with simultaneous gas extraction The aim is to convert the input material into natural plant fertilizer.

However, these goals are only partially achieved by the previously known methods and devices, be it that the biological-chemical conditions of the metabolic process of the bacteria are not sufficiently taken into account, or because of the major influence of mechanical-structural features on the optimization of the gas yield over time was overlooked.

The basic research of the microbiology of the past decades led to the result that in every healthy living organism several competing components must be present. Proving this was proportionate simple. However, the problem then began with simulating such environmental conditions that targeted a support the development of the desired components and thereby eliminate undesirable processes at the same time. Implementing these findings on a laboratory scale succeeded without major difficulties and proved their correctness.

transferred to our conditions up to the large-scale technical Solution means that the optimal generation of energy from biomass is by no means given if the devices and units required for this are designed in this way are that this as quickly as humanly possible while excluding any contact with oxygen (in the air) in

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the airtight fermenter (digestion tower, reactor, chamber, etc.). The opposite is the case.

Namely the first phase (from laboratory tests it is known that the microbial degradation of organic substances, i.e. biomass takes place in several successive and mutually reacting stages) for the digestion (splitting) of the more or less compact hydrocarbon compounds leads to the activity of aerobic bacterial strains, whereby at the same time enzymes are formed which activate the metabolism of the anaerobic strains significantly. For this phase the expression "the acid-forming phase" was already coined.

However, since it is extraordinarily difficult and expensive to carry out these processes scientifically flawlessly through appropriate To prove measurements, we are still at a stage of conjecture.

However, this hypothesis seems to be confirmed by the fact that the results are related to the gas yield on the unit of the OTS (organic matter) of a well-functioning biological sewage treatment plant with connected digestion are twice as high as the results of z. Agricultural biogas plants currently in the experimental stage. According to the well-known publications by Prof. Dr. Baader, Braunschweig and Dr. Dohna, KBTL, Darmstadt, "Biogas in theory and practice" and Dipl.-Ing. Perwanger, Landtechnik Weihenstephan, produces a so-called Livestock unit with approx. 500 kg live weight during the day 5 kg DM (dry matter) or the equivalent of approx. 3.5 kg OTS (organic dry matter) approx. one cubic meter of biogas, which in terms of its heat output can be roughly equated with the heat of combustion of 0.6 1 heating oil. On the contrary, the applicant can prove that the same amount of organic After aerobic pre-treatment in the activated sludge tank, at least twice the amount of biogas

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So far, these facts have not been taken into account at all when building biogas plants.

The 3-S two-chamber system has therefore tried that so far known phases of the breakdown of high molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds to be implemented technologically in such a way that a universally usable practicable process is distorted.

1st phase:

& In the conditioning pit are supported by mechanism 10 see upheavals and comminution in the event of an existing ge | i. If the supply of air is aimed at stimulating the aerobic bacterial strains to activate and carry out their reproduction and the metabolism that is associated with it. With this process, the Säurebil- \ l is dung promoted and facilitated the splitting of the high molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds 15.

2nd phase:

The initiated process is continued in the first chamber by heating to 55 ^° C. However, this chamber is already made airtight because the optimal conditions for the multiplication and metabolism of the methane bacteria must be given here.

3rd phase:

The bulk of the methane-producing bacterial strains thrive however, after known laboratory tests at a temperature of 35 ° C with total exclusion of air. In the second chamber these relationships are maintained and guaranteed thus the most effective conversion of high molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds in methane gas and organic manure.

According to the problem solutions by the Device according to claims 1 to 5 achieved.

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The invention is explained with reference to the following FIGS.

Fig. 1 is a sheared cross-section through an inventive Contraption;

Fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section through the chamber the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross section through the device according to FIG. 2.

The following is an embodiment of the invention Device with reference to the figures explain in more detail

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The method and the invention

The device is characterized in that the knowledge described above is essentially applied in two chambers Find; the aerobically treated feed product, conditioned in a manner known per se, is fed into the first chamber 1 brought in from biomass, homogenized by means of a submersible cutting pump and circulated at time intervals and heated to 55 ° C. by recirculation through a heat exchanger 5 with hot water. At this temperature in chamber 1 the described acid formation (splitting) is forced and already through the action of thermophilic Mcthanbacteria Biogas is produced, which is drawn off through a gas line connected to chamber 1 and stored.

In a second chamber 2, the actual reactor, the feed product from chamber 2 is carefully regulated Process temperature of 35 C kept, at this temperature the metabolic process of the bacteria in known way runs optimally. The control of the maintenance of the temperature takes place in such a way that when the temperature drops by cooling part of the product in chamber 2 through the

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Pump 4 is returned to chamber 2 by heat exchanger 5 while being heated until the setpoint temperature in the chamber is reached again.

At the same time, this can be done by the pump through appropriate lines and slides and valves located therein product conveyed from chamber 2 is returned through or around heat exchanger 5 and into chamber 2, Another line then opens into this line, through which the pump 3 is used to heat the chamber 1 to 55 ° C Fresh substrate is fed in in a defined amount over a defined period of time until the target temperature is set again in chamber 2 (so-called by-pass system).

The relevant technical implementation of the regulation through the use of temperature sensors, valves and a appropriately adapted control electronics are known per se and can easily be carried out by a person skilled in the art.

A significant impairment of gas formation in chamber 2 is the formation of a floating layer the substrate in chamber 2, which mainly consists of organic substances that are difficult to digest. To deduct this The floating cover is in the upper region of the chamber 2 an overflow or drainage channel 7 along at least one part the inner wall of the chamber 2 is provided into which the floating ceiling is formed by the appropriately designed agitator 8, 9 continuously or discontinuously and can be returned to the chamber 1 through an overflow.

In the upper region of the chamber 2, an agitator 8, 9 is arranged, which is continuous or discontinuous, for example wise can be operated by an electric motor or by hand. This agitator is designed so that in the lower Third or fourth of the volume of the chamber 2 can form a rest zone in which the degassed product sinks. A pipe protrudes into this resting layer through which the degassed product, with or without dehydration,

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drawn plant fertilizer results, can be deducted. This pipe is preferably designed as a communicating pipe system, so that when fresh substrate is supplied, approximately in the same amount of rotten substrate is withdrawn. The agitator has a horizontally mounted shaft 8 on which by 90 and at a certain distance from each other staggered agitator arms 9 are arranged, these agitator arms with the axis of the agitator shaft 8 form an angle of 45 °. This angle has proven to be optimal on the basis of numerous attempts proven, this angular position at the same time supporting the promotion of the floating cover into the drainage channel 7. These stirring arms 9 are preferably designed in the form of polygonal or round hollow supports into which the substrate can occur during the stirring process. Dimensionally, the agitator arms are designed so that they do not Immerse deeper than up to two thirds or up to three quarters of the total depth of chamber 2. That way you can a resting phase is formed in the lower region of the chamber 2, which is about a third to a quarter of the lower chamber volume occupies.

It when the stirring arms 9 are dimensioned in length such that the vertical distance is particularly advantageous from the free ends of the agitator arms 9 to the agitator shaft 8 greater than the distance from the agitator shaft 8 to the overflow edge the overflow channel 7 is. This is because of the outstanding Ends of the agitator arms 9 split the floating layer, so that the unimpeded passage of gas results; about that in addition, the substrate received in the hollow stirring arms 9 emerges and is thrown from above onto the floating layer; Finally, the floating layer is in the direction of the drainage channel 7, which is arranged above the agitator shaft 8 is promoted.

Claims (5)

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS WILHELMS & 'KILfAN' PATENT LAWYERS EUROPEAN PATENT REPRESENTATIVES MANDATAIRES EN BREVETS EUROPEENS DR. ROLF E. WILLIAMS DR. HELMUT KILIAN GEIBELSTRASSE 6 8000 MUNICH TELEPHONE (0 89) 47 40 73 ■ TELEX 52 34 67 (wllp-d) TELEGRAMS PATRANS MUNICH TELECOPIER size 2 <O89) 222 G 1127 Dipl.-Ing. Hans SCHNEIDER 6393 Wehrheim, Germany <^ Reaction chamber
for the production of methane gas from biomass / ■ PROTECTION CLAIMS 1 . Reaction chamber for the production of methane gas from biomass, characterized by one in the reaction space horizontally arranged, motor-driven agitator shaft with agitator arms offset by 90 °, which on are attached to the agitator shaft at an angle of 45 ° to the agitator shaft axis. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the agitator arms as angular or round 10 hollow tubes are formed. H. Schneider. ' I: "" ·: G 1127 3. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In the upper region of the chamber (2) an overflow or drainage channel or trough (7) is formed, which is connected to a line for transferring the floating layer from the chamber (2) into the chamber (1). 4. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the The shaft (8) of the agitator is arranged in the upper area below the overflow or drainage channel (7), and that the agitator arms are dimensioned in terms of length so that they are not deeper than up to two thirds to three quarters of the total depth the chamber (2) extend. 5. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the The length of the agitator arms is such that the vertical distance from the free end of the agitator arm (9) to the agitator shaft (8) is greater than the distance from the agitator shaft (8) to the overflow edge of the overflow channel (7).