Material for Biogas Digesters - Revision history

Wiki Gardener: /* Further Information */

2014-10-08T12:37:09Z

Further Information

Wiki Gardener at 12:36, 8 October 2014

2014-10-08T12:36:25Z

Show changes

Ranisha at 10:31, 17 July 2014

2014-07-17T10:31:36Z

Fungai Cecilia Sandamu at 08:34, 15 May 2014

2014-05-15T08:34:13Z

Ranisha: Ranisha Basnet moved page Digesters for biogas Plant to Material for Biogas Digesters without leaving a redirect

2014-03-19T11:45:58Z

Ranisha Basnet moved page Digesters for biogas Plant to Material for Biogas Digesters without leaving a redirect

Ranisha at 11:45, 19 March 2014

2014-03-19T11:45:02Z

Ranisha: /* Material for the digester */

2014-03-19T11:38:29Z

Material for the digester

Ranisha: /* Material for the digester */

2014-03-19T11:37:45Z

Material for the digester

Ranisha: /* Material for the digester */

2014-03-19T11:33:45Z

Material for the digester

Ranisha: /* Overview */

2014-03-19T11:27:12Z

Overview

@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
 A further suitable material for use in the construction of biogas systems is wood. It is often used for building liquid-manure hoppers and spreaders. Wooden digesters require a vapor-proof membrane to protect the insulation. Closed vessels of any appreciable size are very hard to render gas-tight without the aid of plastic sheeting. Consequently, such digesters are very rare.
@@ Line 125: / Line 126: @@
 *[[Portal:Biogas|Biogas Portal on energypedia]]
 *[[Biogas|Biogas]]<br/>
-*[[Benefits and Impacts of Biogas Technology|Benefits and Impacts of Biogas Technology]]<br/>
+*[[Benefits_for_Biogas_Users|Benefits for Biogas Users]]<br/>
 *[[Biogas - Costs and Benefits|Biogas - Costs and Benefits]]<br/>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 = Overview =
-In general terms, digesters consist of the digestion tank as such, which is thermally insulated, plus a heating system, mixer systems and discharge systems for sediments and the spent substrate.<span style="font-size: 0.85em;">Two relevant forces act on the digester. The external active earth pressure causes compressive forces within the masonry. The internal hydrostatic and gas pressures causes tensile stress in the masonry. Thus, the external pressure applied by the surrounding earth must be greater at all points than the internal forces. Round and spherical shapes are able to accept the highest forces and distribute them uniformly. Edges and corners lead to peak tensile stresses which can result in cracking. </span><span style="font-size: 0.85em; line-height: 1.5em;">No matter which design is chosen, the digester (fermentation tank) must meet the following requirements:</span>
+In general terms, [[Agitation_of_Digesters|digesters]] consist of the digestion tank as such, which is thermally insulated, plus a heating system, mixer systems and discharge systems for sediments and the spent substrate.Two relevant forces act on the digester. The external active earth pressure causes compressive forces within the masonry. The internal hydrostatic and gas pressures causes tensile stress in the masonry. Thus, the external pressure applied by the surrounding earth must be greater at all points than the internal forces. Round and spherical shapes are able to accept the highest forces and distribute them uniformly. Edges and corners lead to peak tensile stresses which can result in cracking. No matter which design is chosen, the digester (fermentation tank) must meet the following requirements:
 <br/>
@@ Line 110: / Line 111: @@
 A further suitable material for use in the construction of biogas systems is wood. It is often used for building liquid-manure hoppers and spreaders. Wooden digesters require a vapor-proof membrane to protect the insulation. Closed vessels of any appreciable size are very hard to render gas-tight without the aid of plastic sheeting. Consequently, such digesters are very rare.
 <div><br/></div>
 [[Category:Biogas]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 = Overview =
@@ Line 112: / Line 111: @@
 A further suitable material for use in the construction of biogas systems is wood. It is often used for building liquid-manure hoppers and spreaders. Wooden digesters require a vapor-proof membrane to protect the insulation. Closed vessels of any appreciable size are very hard to render gas-tight without the aid of plastic sheeting. Consequently, such digesters are very rare.
 <div><br/></div>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Overview =
+In general terms, digesters consist of the digestion tank as such, which is thermally insulated, plus a heating system, mixer systems and discharge systems for sediments and the spent substrate.<span style="font-size: 0.85em;">Two relevant forces act on the digester. The external active earth pressure causes compressive forces within the masonry. The internal hydrostatic and gas pressures causes tensile stress in the masonry. Thus, the external pressure applied by the surrounding earth must be greater at all points than the internal forces. Round and spherical shapes are able to accept the highest forces and distribute them uniformly. Edges and corners lead to peak tensile stresses which can result in cracking. </span><span style="font-size: 0.85em; line-height: 1.5em;">No matter which design is chosen, the digester (fermentation tank) must meet the following requirements:</span>
-In general terms, digesters consist of the digestion tank as such, which is thermally insulated, plus a heating system, mixer systems and discharge systems for sediments and the spent substrate.
+<br/>
 = Material for the digester<br/> =

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 In general terms, digesters consist of the digestion tank as such, which is thermally insulated, plus a heating system, mixer systems and discharge systems for sediments and the spent substrate.
@@ Line 40: / Line 41: @@
 == Steel<br/> ==
 Steel vessels are inherently gas-tight, have good tensile strength, and are relatively easy to construct (by welding). In many cases, a discarded steel vessel of appropriate shape and size can be salvaged for use as a biogas digester. Susceptibility to corrosion both outside (atmospheric humidity) and inside (aggressive media) can be a severe problem. As a rule, some type of anticorrosive coating must be applied and checked at regular intervals. Steel vessels are only cost-effective, if second-hand vessels (e.g. train or truck tankers) can be used.&lt;/span&gt;
@@ Line 66: / Line 68: @@
 == Bitumen (several layers)<br/> ==
 Bitumen coats can be applied easily and remain elastic over long periods of time. Problems arise in the application as the solvents are inflammable (danger of explosion inside the digester) and a health hazard. Bitumen coats cannot be applied on wet surfaces. The drying of masonry structures requires several weeks, unless some heating device (e.g. a charcoal stove) is placed inside the digester for two to three days. Furthermore, the bituminous coat can be damaged by the up-and-down movement of the slurry.
 == Bitumen coat with aluminum foil<br/> ==
 On the first still sticky bitumen coat, aluminum foil is mounted with generous overlaps. A second layer of bitumen is applied on the aluminum foil. Gas-tightness is usually higher compared to the several layers of bitumen without foil.
 == Water-thinnable dispersion paint<br/> ==
 These paints are free from fire- or health hazards. Most of them, however are not gas-tight and not resistant to moisture. Only those dispersion paints should be used which are explicitly recommended for underwater use and which form a gas-tight film.
@@ Line 89: / Line 94: @@
 == <span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 23.80000114440918px;">Plastics</span> ==
 Plastics have been in widespread use in the field of biogas engineering for a long time. Basic differentiation is made between flexible materials (sheeting) and rigid materials (PE, GRP, etc.). Diverse types of plastic sheeting can be used for constructing the entire digesting chamber (balloon gas holders) or as a vessel cover in the form of a gas-tight "bonnet".
 Sheeting made of caoutchouc (india rubber), PVC, and PE of various thickness and description have been tried out in numerous systems. The durability of plastic materials exposed to aggressive slurry, mechanical stress and UV radiation, as well as their gas permeability, vary from material to material and on the production processes employed in their manufacture. '''Glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP)''' digesters have proven quite suitable, as long as the in-service static stresses are accounted for in the manufacturing process. GRP vessels display good gas-tightness and corrosion resistance. They are easy to repair and have a long useful life span. The use of sandwich material (GRP - foam insulation - GRP) minimizes the on-site insulating work and reduces the cost of transportation and erection.
-== '''Wood'''<br/> ==
+== Wood<br/> ==
 A further suitable material for use in the construction of biogas systems is wood. It is often used for building liquid-manure hoppers and spreaders. Wooden digesters require a vapor-proof membrane to protect the insulation. Closed vessels of any appreciable size are very hard to render gas-tight without the aid of plastic sheeting. Consequently, such digesters are very rare.
 <div><br/></div>

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 In general terms, digesters consist of the digestion tank as such, which is thermally insulated, plus a heating system, mixer systems and discharge systems for sediments and the spent substrate.
@@ Line 38: / Line 39: @@
 <br/>
-'''Steel: '''Steel vessels are inherently gas-tight, have good tensile strength, and are relatively easy to construct (by welding). In many cases, a discarded steel vessel of appropriate shape and size can be salvaged for use as a biogas digester. Susceptibility to corrosion both outside (atmospheric humidity) and inside (aggressive media) can be a severe problem. As a rule, some type of anticorrosive coating must be applied and checked at regular intervals. Steel vessels are only cost-effective, if second-hand vessels (e.g. train or truck tankers) can be used.&lt;/span&gt;
+== Steel<br/> ==
 <br/>
-'''Concrete''': Concrete vessels have gained widespread acceptance in recent years. The requisite gas-tightness necessitates careful construction and the use of gas-tight coatings, linings and/or seal strips in order to prevent gas leakage. Most common are stress cracks at the joints of the top and the sides. The prime advantage of concrete vessels are their practically unlimited useful life and their relatively inexpensive construction. This is especially true for large digesters in industrialized countries.&lt;/span&gt;<br/>
+== Concrete<br/> ==
 <br/>
-<span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;"></span>'''<span style="font-size: 16px;">Cement plaster with special additives:</span>'''Good results in water- and gas-tightness have been achieved by adding 'water-proofer' to the cement plaster. For gas-tightness, double the amount of water-proofer is required as compared to the amount necessary for water-tightness. The time between the applications of the layers of plaster should not exceed one day, as the plaster becomes water-tight after one day and the new plaster cannot adhere to the old plaster. The following 'recipe' from Tanzania guarantees gas-tightness, provided the masonry structure has no cracks:&lt;/span&gt;
+== <span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;"></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Cement plaster with special additives</span><br/> ==
 #layer: cement-water brushing;
 #layer: 1 cm cement : sand plaster 1 : 2.5;
@@ Line 59: / Line 65: @@
 A disadvantage of cement plaster is their inability to bridge small cracks in the masonry structure as, for example, bituminous coats can do.
-'''Bitumen (several layers):''' Bitumen coats can be applied easily and remain elastic over long periods of time. Problems arise in the application as the solvents are inflammable (danger of explosion inside the digester) and a health hazard. Bitumen coats cannot be applied on wet surfaces. The drying of masonry structures requires several weeks, unless some heating device (e.g. a charcoal stove) is placed inside the digester for two to three days. Furthermore, the bituminous coat can be damaged by the up-and-down movement of the slurry.&lt;/span&gt;
+== Bitumen (several layers)<br/> ==
-'''Bitumen coat with aluminum foil:''' On the first still sticky bitumen coat, aluminum foil is mounted with generous overlaps. A second layer of bitumen is applied on the aluminum foil. Gas-tightness is usually higher compared to the several layers of bitumen without foil.&lt;/span&gt;
+== Water-thinnable dispersion paint<br/> ==
-'''Water-thinnable dispersion paint:'''These paints are free from fire- or health hazards. Most of them, however are not gas-tight and not resistant to moisture. Only those dispersion paints should be used which are explicitly recommended for underwater use and which form a gas-tight film.&lt;/span&gt;
+== Single- and dual component synthetic resin paints<br/> ==
-'''Single- and dual component synthetic resin paints: '''Synthetic resin paints form elastic, gas-tight coats which can resist rather high physical load. They are comparably expensive, their use seems only justified if the coating has to resist mechanical stress. This is usually the case with fixed dome plants. Measurements have given evidence that the masonry structure of a fixed dome stretches, though minimally, after filling and under gas pressure.&lt;/span&gt;
+Synthetic resin paints form elastic, gas-tight coats which can resist rather high physical load. They are comparably expensive, their use seems only justified if the coating has to resist mechanical stress. This is usually the case with fixed dome plants. Measurements have given evidence that the masonry structure of a fixed dome stretches, though minimally, after filling and under gas pressure.&lt;/span&gt;
-'''Paraffin: '''Paraffin, diluted with new engine oil, is warmed up to 100 -150°C and applied on the plaster which has been heated up with a flame-thrower. The paraffin enters into the plaster and effects a 'deep-sealing'. If paraffin is not available, simple candles can be melted and diluted with engine&lt;/span&gt;
+== Paraffin<br/> ==
-<br/>'''Masonry: '''Masonry is the most frequent construction method for small scale digesters. Only well-burnt clay bricks, high quality, pre-cast concrete blocks or stone blocks should be used in the construction of digesters. Cement-plastered/rendered masonry is a suitable - and inexpensive - approach for building an underground biogas digester, whereby a dome-like shape is recommended. For domes larger than 20 m digester volume, steel reinforcement is advisable. Masons who are to build masonry digesters have to undergo specific training and, initially, require close supervision.<br/>[[File:Condome.jpg|362px|RTENOTITLE]]
+Paraffin, diluted with new engine oil, is warmed up to 100 -150°C and applied on the plaster which has been heated up with a flame-thrower. The paraffin enters into the plaster and effects a 'deep-sealing'. If paraffin is not available, simple candles can be melted and diluted with engine&lt;/span&gt;
-<small class="IMGLEGEND">'''Construction of the dome for a 30 m<sup>3</sup> digester in Cuba'''</small><ref name="Photo: Krämer (TBW)">Photo: Krämer (TBW)</ref><br/><br/>
+== <br/>Masonry<br/> ==
-<br/>
+Masonry is the most frequent construction method for small scale digesters. Only well-burnt clay bricks, high quality, pre-cast concrete blocks or stone blocks should be used in the construction of digesters. Cement-plastered/rendered masonry is a suitable - and inexpensive - approach for building an underground biogas digester, whereby a dome-like shape is recommended. For domes larger than 20 m digester volume, steel reinforcement is advisable. Masons who are to build masonry digesters have to undergo specific training and, initially, require close supervision.<br/>[[File:Condome.jpg|362px|RTENOTITLE]]
-'''Plastics: '''Plastics have been in widespread use in the field of biogas engineering for a long time. Basic differentiation is made between flexible materials (sheeting) and rigid materials (PE, GRP, etc.). Diverse types of plastic sheeting can be used for constructing the entire digesting chamber (balloon gas holders) or as a vessel cover in the form of a gas-tight "bonnet".
+<small class="IMGLEGEND">'''Construction of the dome for a 30 m<sup>3</sup> digester in Cuba'''</small><br/><br/>
-Sheeting made of caoutchouc (india rubber), PVC, and PE of various thickness and description have been tried out in numerous systems. The durability of plastic materials exposed to aggressive slurry, mechanical stress and UV radiation, as well as their gas permeability, vary from material to material and on the production processes employed in their manufacture. '''Glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP)''' digesters have proven quite suitable, as long as the in-service static stresses are accounted for in the manufacturing process. GRP vessels display good gas-tightness and corrosion resistance. They are easy to repair and have a long useful life span. The use of sandwich material (GRP - foam insulation - GRP) minimizes the on-site insulating work and reduces the cost of transportation and erection.<br/>
+== <span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 23.80000114440918px;">Plastics</span> ==
-<br/>
+Sheeting made of caoutchouc (india rubber), PVC, and PE of various thickness and description have been tried out in numerous systems. The durability of plastic materials exposed to aggressive slurry, mechanical stress and UV radiation, as well as their gas permeability, vary from material to material and on the production processes employed in their manufacture. '''Glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP)''' digesters have proven quite suitable, as long as the in-service static stresses are accounted for in the manufacturing process. GRP vessels display good gas-tightness and corrosion resistance. They are easy to repair and have a long useful life span. The use of sandwich material (GRP - foam insulation - GRP) minimizes the on-site insulating work and reduces the cost of transportation and erection.
-'''Wood: '''A further suitable material for use in the construction of biogas systems is wood. It is often used for building liquid-manure hoppers and spreaders. Wooden digesters require a vapor-proof membrane to protect the insulation. Closed vessels of any appreciable size are very hard to render gas-tight without the aid of plastic sheeting. Consequently, such digesters are very rare.
+== '''Wood'''<br/> ==
 <div><br/></div>

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 In general terms, digesters consist of the digestion tank as such, which is thermally insulated, plus a heating system, mixer systems and discharge systems for sediments and the spent substrate.
@@ Line 13: / Line 14: @@
 [[File:Gastightplaster.jpg|180px|RTENOTITLE]]<br/>
-<small class="IMGLEGEND">'''Inside plaster of the gastight section'''</small><br/>
+<small class="IMGLEGEND">'''Inside plaster of the gastight section of a fixed dome digester'''</small><br/><small class="IMGSOURCE">''Photo: Kellner (TBW)''</small><br/>
 |}