Optimized biogas (biomethane) production process
AssigneeStover & Associates, Inc.
InventorsEnos Loy Stover, Ted Ross Stover
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a process for pretreatment of a feedstock in a pretreatment tank. Various parameters, such as oxidation-reduction potential, pH, and temperature, are monitored in the pretreatment tank to determine whether the oxidation-reduction potential, pH, and temperature are each within a predetermined range. The volume of feedstock inside the pretreatment tank is adjusted in response to a determination that one of the oxidation-reduction potential, pH, and temperature of the treated material are outside the corresponding predetermined ranges to maintain the oxidation-reduction potential, pH, and temperature of the treated material within operating conditions.
Claims23
A process for pretreatment of a feedstock, comprising the steps of:
- introducing the feedstock into a pretreatment tank to form a bulk liquid;
- performing pretreatment of the feedstock in the pretreatment tank;
- monitoring oxidation-reduction potential, pH, and temperature of the bulk liquid during pretreatment to determine whether the oxidation-reduction potential, pH, and temperature are each within a predetermined range;
- and
- adjusting the volume of the feedstock in the pretreatment tank in response to a determination that one of the oxidation-reduction potential, pH, or temperature of the bulk liquid is outside the corresponding predetermined ranges to maintain the oxidation-reduction potential, pH, and temperature of the bulk liquid within the predetermined ranges.
An apparatus for pretreatment of a feedstock, comprising:
- a tank containing a bulk liquid;
- a feed conduit operably coupled to the tank which facilitates introduction of feed material into the tank;
- an effluent conduit which facilitates removal of treated effluent from the tank to an anaerobic digester;
- a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the bulk liquid;
- a pH sensor for measuring the pH of the bulk liquid;
- and
- an oxidation-reduction potential sensor for measuring the oxidation-reduction potential of the bulk liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.