Biological gasification of renewable resources. Annual report, January 1983-February 1984

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5833251

Chynoweth, D P; Fannin, K F; Jerger, D E; Srivastava, V J; Conrad, J R

The objective of this project was to determine the best reactor configuration and optimum operating conditions for anaerobic digestion of each of four prototype feeds--water hyacinth/sludge, kelp, sorghum, and poplar--representing feedstocks of varying particulate and lignin content. A kinetic analysis of two different reactor types recovering a blend of water hyacinth and sludge indicated better performance of a non-mixed upflow solids reactor (USR) to that of a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The results of preliminary lab analyses and systems calculations suggest that substantial improvement in performance is possible by digestion of low-solids juice in an ambient temperature reactor and hyacinth solids in a different reactor. A kinetic analysis of kelp digestion also indicated superior performance of the USR over the CSTR digester. Conversion yields and rates and process stability were shown to be greater in a kelp lot with higher mannitol content. The biodegradability of sorghum was as high as 87% theoretical. The USR exhibited superior performance to that of the CSTR on this feedstock. Particle size reduction did not effect rates on yields in the range of 0.06 to 0.3 inches. Ensiling resulted in rapid production of fermentation products, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and volatile acids. High conversion and associated methane yields was observed during digestion of diluted poplar. Both methane yield as production rates were adversely affected at increasing solids concentrations. Preliminary results suggest that a two-phase leachate bed recycle system may be most effective for biogasification of wood.

• Research Organization: Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5833251
• Report Number(s): PB-85-156966/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
GASIFICATION
HYDROCARBONS
KINETICS
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
REACTION KINETICS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
RESOURCES
SYNTHESIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING