Potential errors in the quantitative evaluation of biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes
Potential errors in the quantitative evaluation of biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes
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
anaerobic digestion, biogas production, volumetric measurement, gas solubility, permeation
6339-6346
Walker, Mark
62448ed1-2c1a-4be6-acd8-4f8053efd392
Zhang, Yue
69b11d32-d555-46e4-a333-88eee4628ae7
Heaven, Sonia
f25f74b6-97bd-4a18-b33b-a63084718571
Banks, Charles
5c6c8c4b-5b25-4e37-9058-50fa8d2e926f
December 2009
Walker, Mark
62448ed1-2c1a-4be6-acd8-4f8053efd392
Zhang, Yue
69b11d32-d555-46e4-a333-88eee4628ae7
Heaven, Sonia
f25f74b6-97bd-4a18-b33b-a63084718571
Banks, Charles
5c6c8c4b-5b25-4e37-9058-50fa8d2e926f
Walker, Mark, Zhang, Yue, Heaven, Sonia and Banks, Charles
(2009)
Potential errors in the quantitative evaluation of biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes.
Bioresource Technology, 100 (24), .
(doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2009.07.018).
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
Text
Walker_et_al_-_Biogas_Quantification_-_Scholar_text.pdf
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
e-pub ahead of print date: 5 August 2009
Published date: December 2009
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, biogas production, volumetric measurement, gas solubility, permeation
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 74140
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/74140
ISSN: 0960-8524
PURE UUID: bcd2071f-8ec2-440c-85a8-351f344386f3
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 11 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:47
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Mark Walker
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
