Quick user's guide: Each module is broken into a series of topics presented in as a video of a narrated slide-set addressing that topic. Assessment questions are organized using the same set of topic headers. So, open the assessment document, watch each video, and fill in the answers as you go. While we can discuss issues or questions during our weekly tutorial, you are welcome to email me with any questions as you go: [email protected] is the best way to reach me during the spring of 2016.
Note: The videos play well in Quicktime!
Module 5: Start-up, operations and process monitoring covers start-up, operations, and process monitoring of anaerobic digesters. In addition, common reasons for AD failure and underperformance and safety issues are discussed with a special focus on understanding and managing problems caused by hydrosulfuric acid.
5.1: Four steps of AD
5.2: AD start-up
5.3: AD operations & process monitoring
5.4: Reasons for AD failure
5.5: Safety concerns
5.6 A: Understanding & managing H2S - through iron salts
5.6 B: Understanding & managing H2S - from oxygen infusion
Assessment questions for Module 5: download, print, complete and return by email following the instructions at the top.
Exercises for Module 5: download, print, complete and return by email following the instructions at the top.
Note: The videos play well in Quicktime!
Module 5: Start-up, operations and process monitoring covers start-up, operations, and process monitoring of anaerobic digesters. In addition, common reasons for AD failure and underperformance and safety issues are discussed with a special focus on understanding and managing problems caused by hydrosulfuric acid.
5.1: Four steps of AD
5.2: AD start-up
5.3: AD operations & process monitoring
5.4: Reasons for AD failure
5.5: Safety concerns
5.6 A: Understanding & managing H2S - through iron salts
5.6 B: Understanding & managing H2S - from oxygen infusion
Assessment questions for Module 5: download, print, complete and return by email following the instructions at the top.
Exercises for Module 5: download, print, complete and return by email following the instructions at the top.
AD process monitoring
The seminal work of Drosg (2013) who has set the gold standard for process monitoring in biogas plants is available in this technical brochure.
http://www.iea-biogas.net/files/daten-redaktion/download/Technical%20Brochures/Technical%20Brochure%20process_montoring.pdf
Labatut and Gooch at Cornell advocate for simple on-site analytical laboratories to monitor process stability of anaerobic digestion systems. Their description of the lab and related protocols I – IV are found here:
http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Pages/Topics/Anaerobic_Digestion.html
http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Pages/General_Docs/Events/21.Rodrigo.Labatut.pdf
The seminal work of Drosg (2013) who has set the gold standard for process monitoring in biogas plants is available in this technical brochure.
http://www.iea-biogas.net/files/daten-redaktion/download/Technical%20Brochures/Technical%20Brochure%20process_montoring.pdf
Labatut and Gooch at Cornell advocate for simple on-site analytical laboratories to monitor process stability of anaerobic digestion systems. Their description of the lab and related protocols I – IV are found here:
http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Pages/Topics/Anaerobic_Digestion.html
http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Pages/General_Docs/Events/21.Rodrigo.Labatut.pdf
AD failure and underperformance
Foster Brothers Farms was one of the first on-farm digesters in Vermont. They operated for about a decade and then went 'dormant'. An EPA AgSTAR profile explains how and why.
http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-12/documents/foster_brothers_farms_agstar_site_profile_032614_v2_508.pdf
An AD co-digestion plant at Harper Adams University failed in a spectacular way and you can start reading about it here.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/05/30/shropshire-sludge-power-plant-collapses/digestionplant3ae30/
http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/harper-adams-pollution-battle-continues.htm
Foster Brothers Farms was one of the first on-farm digesters in Vermont. They operated for about a decade and then went 'dormant'. An EPA AgSTAR profile explains how and why.
http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-12/documents/foster_brothers_farms_agstar_site_profile_032614_v2_508.pdf
An AD co-digestion plant at Harper Adams University failed in a spectacular way and you can start reading about it here.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/05/30/shropshire-sludge-power-plant-collapses/digestionplant3ae30/
http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/harper-adams-pollution-battle-continues.htm
Safety
Anaerobic digesters and biogas safety article
http://articles.extension.org/pages/30311/anaerobic-digesters-and-biogas-safety
Biogas safety (Penn State Extension)
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/waste-to-energy/resources/biogas/biogas-safety
Don’t risk safety shortcuts with H2S exposure
http://www.nsc.org/Membership%20Site%20Document%20Library/Don't-Risk-Safety-Shortcuts-with-H2S-Gas-Exposure.pdf
H2S MSDS (material safety data sheet)
http://www.ehs.msu.edu/msds/LINDE_MSDS/pdf/038.pdf
Integrating lessons learned from accidents into operators’ behavior and equipment design
http://www.organics-recycling.org.uk/uploads/article2165/Integrating%20lessons%20learned%20from%20accidents%20into%20operators_%20behaviour%20and%20equipment%20design.pdf
Conducting a Safety Walk Through on a Farm or AD plant
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=manuals
Review of historical incidents database (AD plants)
http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_2182013/Appendix%204.1.pdf
Farm worker killed by biogas fumes
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-24525434
An AD protest site with links to a number of failures and accidents
https://tagnotowasteplant.wordpress.com/gallery/
Anaerobic digesters and biogas safety article
http://articles.extension.org/pages/30311/anaerobic-digesters-and-biogas-safety
Biogas safety (Penn State Extension)
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/waste-to-energy/resources/biogas/biogas-safety
Don’t risk safety shortcuts with H2S exposure
http://www.nsc.org/Membership%20Site%20Document%20Library/Don't-Risk-Safety-Shortcuts-with-H2S-Gas-Exposure.pdf
H2S MSDS (material safety data sheet)
http://www.ehs.msu.edu/msds/LINDE_MSDS/pdf/038.pdf
Integrating lessons learned from accidents into operators’ behavior and equipment design
http://www.organics-recycling.org.uk/uploads/article2165/Integrating%20lessons%20learned%20from%20accidents%20into%20operators_%20behaviour%20and%20equipment%20design.pdf
Conducting a Safety Walk Through on a Farm or AD plant
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=manuals
Review of historical incidents database (AD plants)
http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_2182013/Appendix%204.1.pdf
Farm worker killed by biogas fumes
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-24525434
An AD protest site with links to a number of failures and accidents
https://tagnotowasteplant.wordpress.com/gallery/
Managing H2S in biogas
NYSERDA’s Processes Eligible for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Reduction Incentives
Energy Cube LLC, biological scrubbers
http://www.energycubellc.com/gas-scrubber.php
American Biogas Conditioning
http://www.americanbiogasconditioning.com/h2s-scrubber.html
NYSERDA’s Processes Eligible for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Reduction Incentives
Energy Cube LLC, biological scrubbers
http://www.energycubellc.com/gas-scrubber.php
American Biogas Conditioning
http://www.americanbiogasconditioning.com/h2s-scrubber.html