DK146207B - Fermentation plant for methane production - Google Patents

Description

146207

The present invention relates to a fermentation plant for methane fermentation of the kind set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

In the fermentation industry and in related industries, it is often a problem in the production of biogas that the yield is relatively poor.

The reason for this may be the formation of solid layers of material, and it has previously been proposed not only to stir to avoid this, but also to design the plant precisely as stated in the preamble of the requirement, cf. French Patent Specification No. 1,048,146 and European Patent Application No. 13,538. However, the yield is too low.

The object of the invention is to provide a fermentation plant where the yield can be increased.

The present invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.

Comparative experiments have shown that a higher yield can be obtained here than in plants according to the above-mentioned prior art.

In the characterizing part of claims 2 and 3 are disclosed two constructs which, in experience, provide good yields.

No explanation as to why the plant according to the invention provides increased yields cannot be given, although microscopes can observe changes in the immediate surroundings of the individual bacterial colonies. Apparently, the bacteria are transported around the substrate at just the optimal rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which in FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an anise egg according to the invention; and FIG. 2 is a change in the simplicity of the same.

In FIG. 1, 10 denotes a fermentation vessel of a kind known per se, in which an organic material, for example, reed, is fermented under the action of bacteria during the development of methane.

The container 10 is the main container of the plant and communicates with a container 12 through an empirically designed intermediate container 14 which plays a crucial role for the operation of the plant and which according to the invention is suitably shaped as an ellipsoid in which the ratio of large axis to The small axis advantageously can be about 4 * 3 ·

The intermediate container 14 has a flange 18 which, with screws or bolts 20 and spacers 22, is secured to the wall indicated by 24 in the container 10 over an opening 26 therein.

Between the wall of the container 10 and the rim of the container 14 is a relatively small space of approx. 1 millimeter forming the fluid connection between the container 10 and the ellipsoid shaped container 14, which is designated 16.

The container 12 is formed with an aperture corresponding to the opening 26 and thus passes through the space 16 in connection with the container 10.

Above is a further connection with the container 10 through a valve 28.

At the bottom of the container 12 is a hatch 30 through which the bottom of the container can be cleaned.

Above the opening 26 is a screen 32, and above it again there is a top open bowl-shaped storage container part 34, in which ends a pipe, designated 36, which is passed through the container 12.

At the top of the container 12 is a gas valve 40 which can be opened and closed with a handle 42 *

The intermediate container '14 can function with a different configuration, namely as shown in FIG. 2, in a schematic way, in which according to the invention it is approximately designed as a box 14a which is fixed with the flange 18a in the same way as the container 14 with a small space 16a on it. about 1 mm from container walls "and provided with a guide member 44 disposed externally.

This guide portion 44 may advantageously be disposed at the top of the intermediate container and suitably take the form of a cylinder or approximately as an inclined upward reflector.

Why the lead portion 44 together with the box 14a gives about the same effect as the intermediate container 14 cannot be explained.

The container 12 is used as a maneuvering container and 3 146207 can also be regarded as a balance container.

The result, however, is that increased methane production is obtained and measured up to close to 50% increase over the prior art.

The operation of the plant is the following ·

Above the liquid surface indicated by 46 in the container 12, overpressure or underpressure is formed, which serves to produce the desired slight movement of the bacterial colonies in the fermentation container 10, which is supplied with an appropriate organic material, for example seepage, and liquid. connecting the gas compartments in the receptacles 10 and 12, and the handle 42 being used for maneuvering so as to produce a low flow of liquid through the specially formed intermediate container 14 or 14a which has been found to provide a favorable distribution of the fluid stream so that be less likely to form solid layers of material which have an adverse effect on the yield and in any case can be measured an increased yield of methane gas'

The size of the spacing 16 plays a major role, as is the importance that the major axis of the ellipsoid intermediate container 14 should be approximately perpendicular to the plane of the aperture 26.