GB2620621A - A system for obtaining energy from organic waste - Google Patents

A system for obtaining energy from organic waste Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2620621A
GB2620621A GB2210365.9A GB202210365A GB2620621A GB 2620621 A GB2620621 A GB 2620621A GB 202210365 A GB202210365 A GB 202210365A GB 2620621 A GB2620621 A GB 2620621A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
biodigester
heating means
biofuel boiler
boiler
biofuel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2210365.9A
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GB202210365D0 (en
Inventor
Adler Ilan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Economad Solutions Ltd
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Economad Solutions Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Economad Solutions Ltd filed Critical Economad Solutions Ltd
Priority to GB2210365.9A priority Critical patent/GB2620621A/en
Publication of GB202210365D0 publication Critical patent/GB202210365D0/en
Publication of GB2620621A publication Critical patent/GB2620621A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
    • C12M21/04—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses for producing gas, e.g. biogas
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F11/00—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor
    • C02F11/02—Biological treatment
    • C02F11/04—Anaerobic treatment; Production of methane by such processes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/28—Anaerobic digestion processes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M43/00—Combinations of bioreactors or fermenters with other apparatus
    • C12M43/04—Bioreactors or fermenters combined with combustion devices or plants, e.g. for carbon dioxide removal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
    • Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

A system 100 for obtaining energy from organic waste 32, comprising: a biofuel boiler 20 comprising at least one heat engine 22, positioned in an area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler, such that the biofuel boiler provides heated water 24 produced by the biofuel boiler and electricity 26 produced by the at least one heat engine; a biodigester 30, wherein the biodigester is configured to digest the organic waste to produce a biogas 34 and a digestate 36; and heating means 40 configured to heat the biodigester, wherein: the biofuel boiler is at least partially fuelled by the biogas produced by the biodigester; and the heating means is at least partially heated by the heated water and/or the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler. The heat engine can be a thermoelectric generator (TEG). The biodigester can be position above or below the ground and have an insulation layer above or below the biodigester.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING ENERGY FROM ORGANIC WASTE
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system for obtaining energy from organic waste. Some relate to a system for obtaining energy from organic waste produced by agriculture.
BACKGROUND
Obtaining energy from organic waste produced by agricultural activities is desirable. However, on-site options for small-scale operators are limited.
Systems for enabling anaerobic digestion are known. Conventional operational temperatures for anaerobic digestion vary with the desired type of anaerobic digestion, but are frequently higher than outside temperatures.
BRIEF SUMMARY
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a system for obtaining energy from organic waste, comprising: a biofuel boiler comprising at least one heat engine, positioned in an area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler, such that the biofuel boiler provides heated water produced by the biofuel boiler and electricity produced by the at least one heat engine; a biodigester, wherein the biodigester is configured to digest the organic waste to produce biogas and a digestate; and heating means configured to heat the biodigester, wherein: the biofuel boiler is at least partially fuelled by the biogas produced by the biodigester; and the heating means is at least partially heated by the heated water and/or the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler.
This provides the advantage that a circular system for obtaining energy from organic waste, in which each component of the system outputs to another component of the system, is provided. The system may therefore require minimal external power inputs.
In some examples, the biofuel boiler is a biogas boiler.
In some examples, the at least one heat engine is a thermoelectric energy generator, TEG.
In some examples, the area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler is a portion of the biofuel boiler in which the temperature is above a threshold.
This provides the advantage that heat energy that would otherwise be wasted is used by the system.
In some examples, the at least one heat engine is attached to a flue, an exhaust pipe, a metal plate heat exchanger or another internal or external component of the biofuel boiler.
In some examples, the biodigester is a flexible bag biodigester.
This provides the advantage that the biodigester may be easily transported when not in use.
In some examples, the biodigester is positioned above ground.
This provides the advantage of decreasing installation costs.
In some examples, the heating means is configured to maintain the temperature inside the biodigester at a temperature suitable for anaerobic digestion of organic waste.
This provides the advantage that the biodigester may be used to carry out anaerobic digestion in cold climates, where the ambient temperature is lower than a temperature suitable for anaerobic digestion.
In some examples, the heating means comprises one or more electrically powered heating elements, the one or more electrically powered heating elements powered by the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler.
In some examples, the one or more electrically powered heating elements are additionally powered by an external energy source.
In some examples, the heating means comprises one or more hot water pipes and one 5 or more hot water pumps, wherein the one or more hot water pumps are powered by the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler and the hot water provided by the biofuel boiler is pumped through the hot water pipes by the one or more hot water pumps.
In some examples, the one or more hot water pumps are additionally powered by electricity provided by an external energy source.
In some examples, the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler is used to power an appliance external to the system.
This provides the advantage of further decreasing dependence on external energy sources such as mains power.
In some examples, the system comprises a lower insulation layer positioned below the biodigester.
This provides the advantage of insulating the biodigester from the ground.
In some examples, the heating means is positioned above the lower insulation layer and below the biodigester.
In some examples, the system comprises a heat distribution layer positioned above the heating means and below the biodigester.
This provides the advantage of providing substantially consistent heating to the biodigester.
In some examples, the heating means is positioned inside the biodigester.
In some examples, the heating means is positioned on means for unloading digestate from the biodigester.
In some examples, the heating means at least partially encompasses the biodigester.
In some examples, the system comprises at least one upper insulation layer positioned above the biodigester.
This provides the advantage of allowing use of the system in cold or temperate climates.
In some examples, the at least one upper insulation layer comprises a blanket.
In some examples, the at least one upper insulation layer comprises a greenhouse.
In some examples, the system comprises a pumping system, the pumping system configured to perform at least one of loading the organic waste into the biodigester to be digested; unloading the digestate from the biodigester; and mixing the organic waste and at least some of the unloaded digestate for re-loading into the biodigester.
This provides the advantage of providing a single point of interaction with the system.
In some examples, the pumping system is at least partially powered by the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler.
In some examples, the organic waste comprises one or more of animal waste, human waste, agricultural waste, crops, crop residues, and food waste.
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG.1 shows an example system; FIG. 2 shows an example system; FIG. 3 shows another example system; FIG. 4 shows another example system; and FIG. 5 shows another example system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the invention provide a system 100 for obtaining energy from organic waste 32 comprising a biofuel boiler 20, a biodigester 30 and a heating means 40.
FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for obtaining energy from organic waste 32, comprising: a biofuel boiler 20 comprising at least one heat engine 22, positioned in an area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler 20, such that the biofuel boiler 20 provides heated water 24 produced by the biofuel boiler 20 and electricity 26 produced by the at least one heat engine 22; a biodigester 30, wherein the biodigester 30 is configured to digest the organic waste 32 to produce a biogas 34 and a digestate 36; and heating means 40 configured to heat the biodigester 30; wherein: the biofuel boiler 20 is at least partially fuelled by the biogas 34 produced by the biodigester 30; and the heating means 40 is at least partially heated by the heated water 24 and/or the electricity 26 provided by the biofuel boiler 20.
In this way, a circular system for obtaining energy that takes organic waste 32 as input and produces heated water 24, electricity 26 and digestate 36 (which may be used, for example, as fertilizer) is provided. The use of a heating means 40 allows operation of the system in cold climates.
The system 100 comprises a biodigester 30 configured to receive organic waste 32 as an input, to anaerobically digest the organic waste 32, and to output biogas 34 and digestate 36. During the anaerobic digestion process, the biodigester 30 is sealed and microbes within the biodigester 30 break down the input organic waste 32 to produce the output biogas 34 and digestate 36.
The input organic waste 32 may be from a single source (digestion) or from multiple sources (co-digestion). In embodiments, the organic waste 32 is at least one of animal waste; human waste; agricultural waste; crops; crop residues; and food waste. The input organic waste 32 may comprise only organic waste that has not previously been digested by the biodigester 30 (undigested organic waste), or it may comprise a mixture of undigested organic waste and digestate 36 output by the biodigester 30.
The output biogas 34 comprises at least methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and water vapor. The biogas 34 is provided at least to the biofuel boiler 20 to fuel the biofuel boiler 20. In examples, the output biogas is filtered to remove impurities before being used to power the biofuel boiler. The filtration step may remove hydrogen sulfide from the output biogas or reduce the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the output biogas. The filtration step may maximize the concentration of methane in the output biogas.
The output digestate 36 may be used as fertilizer and/or recirculated for further digestion.
In example embodiments, the biodigester 30 is a flexible bag biodigester.
The process of anaerobic digestion inside the biodigester 30 is controlled, at least in part, by the temperature and pressure inside the biodigester 30. The temperature inside the biodigester 30 can be controlled by the heating means 40. The temperature inside the biodigester 30 can also be controlled by adjusting the pressure inside the biodigester 30 according to the combined gas law. The temperature inside the biodigester 30 may be maintained at between 20°C and 50°C for at least 80% of the digestion process. Ideally, the temperature inside the biodigester 30 is maintained at -45°C during the digestion process.
The pressure inside the biodigester 30 can be reduced by releasing gas from the biodigester 30 using one or more gas release valves. In embodiments where the biodigester 30 is a flexible bag biodigester, the pressure inside the biodigester 30 can be increased by applying a compressing force to at least one flexible wall of the biodigester 30.
In example embodiments, the biodigester 30 is positioned above ground. In such embodiments, the ground is level or levelled and no digging below ground level is required to install the biodigester 30. In other example embodiments, the biodigester is installed in a recess shallower than the height of the biodigester 30. The biodigester 30 may not require any support structures external to the structure of the biodigester 30.
In example embodiments, the biodigester 30 is sized for ease of transport and/or for small scale use, for example on small farms.
The system 100 comprises a biofuel boiler 20 configured to receive biofuel as an input, to burn the input biofuel to heat water, and to output the heated water 24. The biofuel boiler 20 may be fuelled by biogas only or may be fuelled by a mixture of biogas and biomass.
The biofuel boiler 20 receives the biogas 34 output by the biodigester 30 as an input and is fuelled by the biogas 34. In example embodiments, the biofuel boiler 20 additionally receives biofuel from one or more other sources of fuel as an input.
The biofuel boiler 20 comprises at least one heat engine 22 positioned in an area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler 20. The at least one heat engine 22 converts the heat energy of the area of excess temperature to output electricity 26.
In example embodiments, the area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler 20 is a portion of the biofuel boiler 20 in which the temperature is above a threshold. The threshold may be determined based on an assessment of any one or more of the ambient temperature outside the system 100; the temperature of water providing the "cold" side of the at least one heat engine; and the temperature of air providing the "cold" side of the at least one heat engine. The threshold may be equal to or higher than any one or more of the ambient temperature outside the system 100; the temperature of water providing the "cold" side of the at least one heat engine; and the temperature of air providing the "cold" side of the at least one heat engine. Any one or more of the ambient temperature outside the system 100; the temperature of water providing the "cold" side of the at least one heat engine; and the temperature of air providing the "cold" side of the at least one heat engine may be determined using one or more sensors.
In examples, the area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler 20 may be any one or more of a flue, an exhaust pipe, a metal plate heat exchanger or any other internal or external component of the biofuel boiler 20 in which the temperature is above the threshold One or more heat pumps may be positioned in each distinct area of excess temperature.
In example embodiments, water is also fed through the at least one heat engine. The water may provide the "cold" side of the at least one heat engine. In this way, additional heated water 24 is produced by the biofuel boiler 20.
The biofuel boiler 20 therefore provides heated water 24, produced by the biofuel boiler 20, and electricity 26, produced by the at least one heat engine 22.
In example embodiments, the at least one heat engine 22 is a thermoelectric generator (TEG). A TEG converts a temperature difference across the TEG into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, according to which a temperature difference between two dissimilar electrical conductors or semiconductors produces a voltage between the dissimilar electrical conductors/semiconductors. A "hot" side of the at least one TEG is attached to the area of excess heat and the temperature differential between the "hot" side of the at least one TEG and the "cold" side causes electricity to be produced. A "cold" side of the at least one TEG may be provided by water and/or air that is at a lower temperature than the area of excess temperature.
In example embodiments, the heated water 24 provided by the boiler is used to heat the heating means 40. The heated water 24 may also be output from the system 100 to be used external to the system 100.
In example embodiments, the electricity 26 provided by the boiler is used to provide power to other components of the system 100. For example, the electricity 26 provided by the boiler may heat the heating means 40 and/or power a pumping system. In the same, or separate, embodiments, the electricity 26 provided by the boiler is used to power an appliance 54 external to the system 100. For example, the electricity 26 provided by the boiler may be used to charge a mobile phone or other personal portable device.
The system 100 comprises heating means 40 configured to heat the biodigester 30.
The heating means 40 is heated by the heated water 24 and/or the electricity 26 provided by the biofuel boiler 20. In example embodiments, the heating means 40 is additionally heated by another source of heat.
The heating means 40 is configured to maintain the temperature inside the biodigester 30 at a temperature suitable for anaerobic digestion of organic waste, as indicated above. The system 100 is thus made suitable for use in cold climates.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example system 100 in which the heating means 40 comprises one or more electrically powered heating elements 42. In example embodiments, the one or more electrically powered heating elements 42 are at least partially powered by the electricity 26 provided by the biofuel boiler 20. In example embodiments, the one or more electrically powered heating elements 42 are additionally powered by an external energy source 50 other than the biofuel boiler 20.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example system 100 in which the heating means 40 comprises one or more hot water pipes 44 and one or more hot water pumps 46. The one or more hot water pumps 46 are powered by the electricity 26 provided by the biofuel boiler 20.
Heated water is pumped through the one or more hot water pipes 44 by the one or more hot water pumps 46. In example embodiments, the heated water that is pumped through the one or more hot water pipes 44 is the heated water 24 provided by the biofuel boiler 20. In example embodiments, the one or more hot water pumps 46 are additionally powered by an external energy source 52 other than the biofuel boiler 20.
The heating means 40 may be shaped to provide a pattern that varies in a first plane. The first plane may be parallel with a ground surface on which the system 100 is installed. The pattern may be a spiral pattern or any other pattern that provides consistent coverage by the heating means 40 in the first plane.
The heating means 40 may be a flat plate heat exchanger.
In an example embodiment, the heating means 40 is positioned underneath the biodigester 30. In alternative example embodiments, the heating means 40 is positioned inside the biodigester 30, or positioned such that the heating means 40 at least partially surrounds the biodigester 30. In examples where digestate is recirculated into the biodigester 30, the heating means 40 may be positioned on a portion of a means for recirculating the digestate, such as a pipe for unloading digestate from the biodigester 30.
In example embodiments, the system 100 comprises a lower insulation layer 102 positioned below the biodigester 30 to thermally insulate the biodigester 30 from the ground. The lower insulation layer 102 comprises any thermally insulating material. In examples, the lower insulation layer 102 comprises Celotex In example embodiments, the system 100 comprises a heat distribution layer 104 positioned above the heating means 40 and below the biodigester 30. The heat distribution layer 104 is configured to evenly distribute heat from the heating means 40 over a desired area. The desired area corresponds to the position of the digestor.
The heat distribution layer 104 may comprise a reflective material. In examples, the heat distribution layer 104 comprises aluminium foil.
In example embodiments, the system 100 comprises an upper insulation layer 106 positioned above the biodigester 30.
The upper insulation layer 106 may comprise a blanket. The blanket may be waterproof and may contain insulating and/or reflective layers. In example embodiments, the blanket may be wrapped under the biodigester 30. In this way, the blanket provides the upper insulation layer 106 and the lower insulation layer 102.
The upper insulation layer 106 may additionally or alternatively comprise any of a greenhouse, polytunnel or glasshouse. In example embodiments, the greenhouse surrounds the biodigester 30 on at least five sides. The greenhouse may also surround any one or more of the lower insulation layer 102, heating layer, heat distribution layer 104, and blanket on at least four sides.
In example embodiments, the system 100 comprises a pumping system 108. The pumping system 108 is configured to perform at least one of: loading the organic waste 32 into the biodigester 30 to be digested; unloading the digestate 36 from the biodigester 30; and mixing the organic waste 32 and at least some of the unloaded digestate 36 for re-loading into the biodigester 30.
In example embodiments, a single pump loads the organic waste 32 and unloads the digestate 36. In example embodiments, the pump is at least partially powered by the electricity 26 provided by the biofuel boiler 20. In some example embodiments, the pumping system 108 is additionally or alternatively powered by an energy source other than the biofuel boiler 20.
In example embodiments, the pumping system 108 comprises a vessel for containing undigested organic waste 32 and unloaded digestate 36. The vessel comprises gates between the undigested organic waste 32 and the unloaded digestate 36. The gates are controllable to enable mixing of the undigested organic waste 32 and the unloaded digestate 36.
The gates may be manually powered, for example the gates may be hand-moved by an operator. Alternatively, movement of the gates may be driven by a motor, which may be at least partially powered by the electricity 26 provided by the boiler. In some embodiments, the motor is additionally or alternatively powered by an energy source other than the biofuel boiler 20.
The pumping system 108 provides a single point of user interaction with the system 100 In embodiments, the system is a modular system 200. The modular system may comprise two or more of any of the components described above.
The modular system 200 may comprise two or more biodigesters 30 connected together. The two or more biodigesters 30 may be connected together in series, wherein an output connector of a first biodigester 30 is connected to an input connector of a second biodigester 30. The output biogas 34 and digestate 36 output by the first biodigester 30 may be partially or completely provided to the input connector of the second biodigester 30. In embodiments where the two or more biodigesters 30 are connected in series, a pumping system 108 may load organic waste into the first connected biodigester 30 in the series and unload digestate from the last connected biodigester 30 in the series.
The two or more biodigesters 30 may be connected together in parallel, wherein the input connector of the first biodigester 30 is connected to the input connector of the second biodigester 30. In embodiments where the two or more biodigesters 30 are connected in parallel, a single pumping system 108 may load organic waste to two or more of the connected biodigesters 30.
In example embodiments, the system 100 forms a subsystem of a modular system 300. The modular system 300 comprises two or more systems 100 connected in series or in parallel. When the two or more systems 100 are connected in series, the output of a first biodigester 30 of a first system 100 connects to the input of a second biodigester of a second system 100 or a pumping system 108 of a second system 100.
When the two or more systems 100 are connected in parallel, the output of the first biodigester 30 of the first system 100 is not connected to the input of the second biodigester 30 of the second system 100 or the pumping system 108 of the second system 100.
Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.
The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one. ." or by using "consisting".
In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example' or can or may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example', 'can' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.
Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.
Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.
Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.
The term 'a' or 'the' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use 'a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one' or 'one or more' may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.
The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.
In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.
Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.
I/we claim:

Claims (25)

  1. CLAIMS1. A system for obtaining energy from organic waste, comprising: a biofuel boiler comprising at least one heat engine, positioned in an area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler, such that the biofuel boiler provides heated water produced by the biofuel boiler and electricity produced by the at least one heat engine; a biodigester, wherein the biodigester is configured to digest the organic waste to produce a biogas and a digestate; and heating means configured to heat the biodigester, wherein: the biofuel boiler is at least partially fuelled by the biogas produced by the biodigester; and the heating means is at least partially heated by the heated water and/or the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler.
  2. 2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biofuel boiler is a biogas boiler.
  3. 3. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one heat engine is a thermoelectric energy generator, TEG.
  4. 4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the area of excess temperature of the biofuel boiler is a portion of the biofuel boiler in which the temperature is above a threshold.
  5. 5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one heat engine is attached to a flue, an exhaust pipe, a metal plate heat exchanger or another internal component of the biofuel boiler.
  6. 6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the biodigester is a flexible bag biodigester.
  7. 7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the biodigester is positioned above ground.
  8. 8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heating means is configured to maintain the temperature inside the biodigester at a temperature suitable for anaerobic digestion of organic waste.
  9. 9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heating means comprises one or more electrically powered heating elements, the one or more electrically powered heating elements powered by the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler.
  10. 10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more electrically powered heating elements are additionally powered by an external energy source.
  11. 11. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 -8, wherein the heating means comprises one or more hot water pipes and one or more hot water pumps, and wherein the one or more hot water pumps are powered by the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler and the hot water provided by the biofuel boiler is pumped through the hot water pipes by the one or more hot water pumps.
  12. 12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one or more hot water pumps are additionally powered by electricity provided by an external energy source.
  13. 13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler is used to power an appliance external to the system.
  14. 14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, additionally comprising a lower insulation layer positioned below the biodigester.
  15. 15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating means is positioned above the lower insulation layer and below the biodigester.
  16. 16. A system as claimed in claim 15, additionally comprising a heat distribution layer positioned above the heating means and below the biodigester.
  17. 17. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating means is positioned inside the biodigester.
  18. 18. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating means at least partially encompasses the biodigester.
  19. 19. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating means is positioned on a means for unloading digestate from the biodigester.
  20. 20. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, additionally comprising at least one upper insulation layer positioned above the biodigester.
  21. 21. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one upper insulation layer comprises a blanket.
  22. 22. A system as claimed in claims 20 or 21, wherein the at least one upper insulation layer comprises a greenhouse
  23. 23. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, additionally comprising a pumping system, the pumping system configured to perform at least one of: loading the organic waste into the biodigester to be digested; unloading the digestate from the biodigester; and mixing the organic waste and at least some of the unloaded digestate for re-loading into the biodigester.
  24. 24. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the pumping system is at least partially powered by the electricity provided by the biofuel boiler.
  25. 25. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the organic waste comprises one or more of animal waste, human waste, agricultural waste, crops, crop residues, and food waste.
GB2210365.9A 2022-07-14 2022-07-14 A system for obtaining energy from organic waste Pending GB2620621A (en)

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GB2210365.9A GB2620621A (en) 2022-07-14 2022-07-14 A system for obtaining energy from organic waste

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012109720A1 (en) * 2011-02-14 2012-08-23 Siqueira Fabricio Segabinazzi Integrated system for organic matter recycling
US20130186810A1 (en) * 2011-07-08 2013-07-25 Thomas A. Volini System and Method for Processing Alternate Fuel Sources
US20140230437A1 (en) * 2011-09-06 2014-08-21 Juan Berlanga Jimenez Method for generating heat energy and electrical energy from various types of waste and system for implementing said method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012109720A1 (en) * 2011-02-14 2012-08-23 Siqueira Fabricio Segabinazzi Integrated system for organic matter recycling
US20130186810A1 (en) * 2011-07-08 2013-07-25 Thomas A. Volini System and Method for Processing Alternate Fuel Sources
US20140230437A1 (en) * 2011-09-06 2014-08-21 Juan Berlanga Jimenez Method for generating heat energy and electrical energy from various types of waste and system for implementing said method

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