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Potential errors in the quantitative evaluation of biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes

Walker, Mark; Zhang, Yue; Heaven, Sonia; Banks, Charles

Authors

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Dr Mark Walker Mark.Walker@hull.ac.uk
Lecturer in Sustainable Engineering Systems

Yue Zhang

Sonia Heaven

Charles Banks



Abstract

Errors that are commonly made in the quantification of biogas from anaerobic digestion experiments were investigated.

For liquid displacement gasometers where a barrier solution separates the biogas and the atmosphere, inaccuracy due to gas diffusion was examined experimentally. Acidified saturated saline solution was the most suitable barrier solution, as biogas characteristics changed least with time. Using acidified or tap water caused considerable biogas losses and should therefore be avoided where biogas is stored before measurement.

Errors associated with volume calculation from three common liquid displacement gasometer types were investigated theoretically. Corrections that must be made to obtain gas volumes at standard temperature and pressure when using this equipment are discussed. Regarding experimental errors, gasometer designs where displaced liquid is weighed to determine the volume are the most versatile since errors depend mainly upon balance sensitivity. Using liquid heights to calculate volume requires appropriate sizing of the gasometer relative to the volume of gas measured.

The calibration of a low flow gas meter was investigated and an approximately linear variation with flow rate was found; hence in situ calibration is advised for this type of instrument. Correction for atmospheric conditions should be performed in real time to reduce errors.

Citation

Walker, M., Zhang, Y., Heaven, S., & Banks, C. (2009). Potential errors in the quantitative evaluation of biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes. Bioresource technology : biomass, bioenergy, biowastes, conversion technologies, biotransformations, production technologies, 100(24), 6339-6346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.07.018

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 8, 2009
Online Publication Date Aug 5, 2009
Publication Date 2009-12
Deposit Date Mar 22, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Bioresource Technology
Print ISSN 0960-8524
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 100
Issue 24
Pages 6339-6346
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.07.018
Keywords Anaerobic digestion; Biogas production; Volumetric measurement; Gas solubility; Permeation
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3742546
Related Public URLs https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/74140/

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