Method and device for the methanation of biomasses

• Main Authors: LINKE, BERND.SC.AGR, SCHELLE, HANNELORE-BIO, ZUERL, BERTHOLD, HOFFMANN, MANFRED, DR
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 11.08.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; ENZYMOLOGY; FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; METALLURGY; MICROBIOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE; SPIRITS; VINEGAR; WINE

Verfahren zur Methanisierung von schüttfähigen, stapelbaren oder stückigmachbaren inoculierten Biomassen (3), wobei der in einem Behälter (Ballen, Flachlager, Folien-Preßballen, Silo oder Abroll-Container) angeordneten, von einer luftundurchlässigen Hülle (4,5) umgebenen Biomasse (3) ein Impfmaterial (11) als Einmalzugabe zugesetzt und die so gebildete Reaktionsmasse ohne weiteres Nachimpfen unter Luftabschluß vergoren wird. The biomass (3) in e.g. a bale, heaps, pressed sheet bale (4), silo or off-roll container is contained in an air tight envelope (5), and dosed (7, 8) once only with inoculant. Fermentation proceeds anaerobically with no further addition. An Independent claim is included for the equipment used. Preferred features: Before methanization, aerobic heating takes place. Inoculant is made and added, to suit the particular biomass. It may be liquid from a biogas plant or e.g. cattle slurry. Inoculant is made from structured wastes, grass cuttings and/or coppice wood and/or straw and/or waste solids and slurry. Structured waste is mixed with liquid to a dry mass content of 20-40%, preferably 30%, at a pH value of 7-9, preferably 8. The ratio of dry masses of inoculant to biomass exceeds 0.6. Various industrial wastes are added. Composting takes place at about 50 degrees C for 2-5 days without turning. Septic liquid is recycled as inoculant. Inoculant is mixed in before filling the vessel. Storage conditions (aerobic at 20 degrees C) exclude spontaneous methanization. Fluid inoculant is used with biomass having high fluid absorption. It may be introduced between biomass layers during or before pressing bales by e.g. spraying. It is embedded locally in the biomass. Liquid inoculant is introduced into the heating biomass, displacing air. Digestion continues at no more than 35 degrees C. The inoculant is preheated. The methanizer has external thermal insulation. Conventional and/or solar heating is applied. Percolate is recirculated from above, controlling the dry matter content and adding nutrients. Some is stored. Biomass layering or other structured introduction optimizes methanization.