Title:
Design of a Novel Reactor for the Anaerobic Digestion of Biowaste: Radial and Axial Substrate Mixing in a Rotary Drum Fermenter
Author(s):
Brück, F., Hörner, S. , Geipert, S., Geipert, H., Theilen, U., Weigand, H.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
This study focusses on the design requirements for the adaptation of a rotating drum fermenter to the specific needs of a dry anaerobic digestion (AD) process. To maximize biogas yields adequate substrate mixing during dry AD is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of static mixing tools (plates and shovels) on the residence time behavior. A lab-scale rotating drum fermenter (V = 250 L) was manufactured from acrylic glass to allow visual inspection of the mixing process. A continuous material flow through the reactor was obtained by an automated feed- and discharge-system. Concentrated xanthan solutions served as a model substrate. The residence time behaviour was investigated based on tracer breakthrough curves and the visual inspection of the mixing progress. In the absence of static mixing tools an almost ideal plug-flow was observed. To promote radial mixing at high filling levels the use of static mixing tools is indispensable. An arrangement of mixing tools has been identified which compromises between good radial mixing and a narrow range of the hydraulic retention time. The preferred arrangement consisted of alternating plates (Length = 0.25 * Diameter reactor). The use of shovels resulted in a diminished effective volume and a broader residence time distribution.
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, municipal solid waste (MSW), reactor design, rotation
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Cooling and Electricity
Subtopic:
Anaerobic digestion for biogas production
Event:
24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2DO.4.4
Pages:
610 - 613
ISBN:
978-88-89407-165
Paper DOI:
10.5071/24thEUBCE2016-2DO.4.4
Price:
FREE
