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Tech Report

Tech Report. Joe Clough Methane Digester. Problem Statement. For my project a major problem is being able to regulate the temperature of the digester. The temperature needs to be regulated at 101 F. Solution.

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Tech Report

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  1. Tech Report Joe Clough Methane Digester

  2. Problem Statement • For my project a major problem is being able to regulate the temperature of the digester. The temperature needs to be regulated at 101 F.

  3. Solution • My solution was to use water to heat the system and keep it at a regulated temperature. To do this I will be using a PLC and temperature sensor.

  4. Design

  5. Design Comparisons Water Propulsion* Helix-coil Heating • Too much water • Takes a lot of energy to heat the water • Time consuming fabrication • Digester spinning inside container • Water used to heat both digester and serves as insulation • Less water • Takes a lot of energy to heat the water • Less Fabrication • Digester is stationary (requires agitation) • Uses insulation to protect from outside elements

  6. System Efficiency Water Propulsion Helix-Coil heating • Using a water heater it would take significantly more power to heat than with a helix- coil, pump would have to cycle the water a majority of the time • A water heater would heat a significantly less amount of water and with the insulation protecting the temperature from the outside environment, it would keep the heat better

  7. Heating Designs • Electrical Heating • Solar Heating • Gravity Heating

  8. Solar Design • Collectors • Must be sunny (reasonably) • Volume of hot water storage is large • Lower temperature • Bigger range temp

  9. Solar Design cont. • Holding tank heating • During nights and winter: solar is low; needs additional heating system

  10. Optional Gravity Heating

  11. Optional Forced Heating

  12. Electrical Heating • Rinnai water heater • Runs off gas • Temp accurate to 1 F • Up to 5.3 GPM

  13. Solar Heating Problems • Some problems: • Solar system is expensive • Solar system also needs large storage area • Requires another source of heating during the winter months • More of a secondary heater • Cumbersome

  14. Gravity/Pump Problems Some Problems: • In gravity system the heater would be above what is being heated • Forced heating system needs extra pump • Hard to regulate water temp. (expansion requires full range 0-100 Celsius to flow)

  15. Electrical Problems • Some Problems: • Expenses

  16. Cost Analysis • Solar Heating System • 50 gal system ------$1000+ • Gravity/Pump System • $500 ----- (includes pump and boiler) • Electrical Rinnai System • $500

  17. My Choice • Electrical Heating system • Simplest and guaranteed to work • Saves on Expenses • Potentially can run on the gas produced

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