Research Details

Performance Evaluation of Biogas Plants (Project 4)

Floramante Pastor, Arlene Gonzales, Honeylou Farinas, Saturnina Nisperos, Antonio Farinas, Roselle Mamuad

Category

Project

Status

Completed

Duration

Jan 1, 2012 -
Dec 31, 2015

Component Studies

  1. • Optimization of Methane Production Through Co-Digestion (Study 1)
  2. • Assessment of Biogas Yield as Affected by Loading Rate (Study 2)

Parent Program

→ Assessment and Mitigation of Air Pollutants in Selected Agro-Industrial Operations at MMSU: Towards an Eco-friendly Environment (Program)

Related Projects

  1. • Characterization and Measurement of Air Quality in Outdoor/Indoor Spaces (Project 1)
  2. • Modeling of the Air Quality Impacts of Trikes and Other Vehicles at the MMSU Campus (Project 2)
  3. • Assessment of the Effectiveness of Carbonized Rice Hull (Activated and Un-activated) on Odor Emission, Bio-aerosol Concentration, and Fly Population of Some Agricultural Operations (Project 3)

Brief Description

This is Project 4 under the program "Assessment and Mitigation of Air Pollutants in Selected Agro-Industrial Operations at MMSU: Towards an Eco-friendly Environment".

This project entails two component studies:

1. Optimization of methane production through co-digestion - for purposes of practicality and minimizing efforts and costs, a laboratory research will be conducted first using the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) bio-digester model to determine the effects of co-digestion using two or more substrates with varying levels. The treatments will be:

  • Control
  • Substrate levels - at least 2 levels
Actual field testing on the old MMSU biogas plant will be done using the best treatment or level determined in the laboratory experiment.
 
Parameters to be assessed:
  • Quality and quantity of biogas (% methane, % CO2, % H2S)
  • Quality of manure after digestion (nutrient composition)
2. Assess the quantity and quality of biogas yield as affected by loading rate - this study will consist of the following activities:
  • Characterization of the new MMSU biogas plant - this will include the composition of manure (% liquid and % solids, the loading capacity, volume of waste, retention period, efficiency, etc.)
  • Evaluation trial on effects of loading rates - based on the identified features of the biogas, loading rates (at least 2) will be estimated and will be tried.
  • Cost and return analysis - a loading rate that gives higher production of methane does not necessarily mean to be more acceptable or feasible. Other inputs and costs must have to be considered. Hence, cost and return analysis for each treatment must be employed. Other factors that cannot be valued monetarily but with significant contributions to the overall results must also be weighed and be given consideration during decision making.
Parameters to be assessed:
  • Quality and quantity of biogas (% methane, % CO2, % H2S)
  • Quality of manure after digestion (nutrient composition)
  • Cost and return analysis - BCR

Expected Output

Evaluated the performance of biogas plants