Publikacje

Abstract:

The presented research addresses a problem occurring in a biogas plant, which we know
plays an important role in sustainable development. The sludge deposited on the walls of the
digester’s heat exchanger impairs heat transfer to the substrate. It leads to a temperature drop inside
the biogas plant and threatens its correct operation. The thickness of the sludge layer cannot be
directly measured when the plant is operating. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop
and then validate a method for estimating, based on the operating parameters of the exchanger,
the thickness of the sludge layer and to give theoretical foundations for designing an automatic
sludge monitoring system. Two mathematical models (and methods) were developed: one- and
two-dimensional. The former model was solved analytically while the latter by the Trefftz method.
The numerical results from these two approaches showed very good agreement with each other
and with the actual measurement taken directly after removing the substrate from the fermentation
chamber. According to the calculation results, the growth of the sludge layer was linear with time,
and its rate was 0.0064 mm per day. Finally, a schematic diagram of an intended sludge monitoring
system was proposed. It could optimize biogas plant operation and thus become a step towards more
sustainable energy production

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Estimating Sludge Deposition on the Heat Exchanger in the Digester of a Biogas Plant