Diagnostic concept for dynamically operated biogas production plants

authored by

Astrid Bensmann, Richard Hanke-Rauschenbach, Robert Heyer, Fabian Kohrs, Dirk Benndorf, Robert Kausmann, Matthias Plöchl, Monika Heiermann, Udo Reichl, Kai Sundmacher

Abstract

With today's growing focus on on-demand energy production, the dynamic operation of biogas plants is becoming more and more important. Detecting unacceptable load changes and so preventing process failures is vital. In the present contribution, we propose an operating scheme that includes the detection of disturbances and intervention. This is then evaluated systematically with the help of a mathematical model for step changes in the organic loading rate. We summarize the qualitative results for each diagnosis variable in an operation diagram, enabling an intuitive, comprehensive comparison. Of the diagnosis variables analyzed, we find that the most promising for identifying incipient process failures in biogas plants are the volatile fatty acids to total alkalinity ratio (VFA/TA), followed by the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide γ in the biogas. In addition, the combination of the online measured variables pH value and gas composition can reveal disturbances early on in a wide range of different conditions.

Organisation(s)

Section Electrical Energy Storage Systems

External Organisation(s)

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB)
BioenergieBeratungBornim GmbH
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems

Type

Article

Journal

Renewable energy

Volume

96

Pages

479-489

No. of pages

11

ISSN

0960-1481

Publication date

10.2016

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.04.098 (Access: Closed)