[Digestion] Calculating methane production

[finstein at envsci.rutgers.edu]

Hello AD's -

Actually, the logical parameters are those obtained through standard
"Proximate" analysis of foods - i.e., collective tests for fats, proteins
and carbohydrates. Calorie estimate can then be made - and listed on the
labels of all those tempting cookies. Somehow - and I don't know exactly
how - calories can be converted to methane.

When you think of it, COD, TS, VS are less appropriate - though deeply
embedded in waste mentality. Same with bomb calorimetry - as reult may
have little to do with digestability.

Mel

Melvin S. Finstein, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science
 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Head, ArrowBio USA

105 Carmel Road
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 242-0341
Email: finstein at envsci.rutgers.edu
Skype: melvinfinstein


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> Today's Topics:
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>    1. Calculating Methane Generation (Eric Fitch)
>    2. Re: Calculating Methane Generation (Warren Weisman)
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 3 May 2007 10:58:47 -0400
> From: "Eric Fitch" <fitch at springstreetgarage.com>
> Subject: [Digestion] Calculating Methane Generation
> To: <digestion at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID: <011801c78d93$8db92ae0$6a0fa8c0 at Papelbon>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"
>
> Dear AD Listers,
>
>
>
> Can anyone site a credible reference that explains how to calculate the
> methane output from a proposed digester with a known feedstock?  I am
> looking for a valid set of equations where inputs would be measurable
> properties like COD, TSS, VS, etc. and the output would be a normalized
> result, like mass of methane produced per mass of COD input.
>
>
>
> I have found conflicting references while searching the web that result in
> an order of magnitude variation.  Unfortunately this spread straddles the
> point of viability for this project.  In order to move forward I need more
> confidence in the expected methane output.
>
>
>
> Thank you in advance for your help.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Eric Fitch
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 3 May 2007 09:12:58 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Warren Weisman <weiswar at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [Digestion] Calculating Methane Generation
> To: digestion at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <905951.5420.qm at web62401.mail.re1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>
> Eric,
>
> You're asking the million dollar question, but the
> answer is methane production is a variable and no one
> has done a definitive work on it, yet. There's no way
> to predict it with great accuracy---which makes it so
> fun to work with!
>
> But you might find some use in METHANE GENERATION FROM
> HUMAN, ANIMAL AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES by the National
> Academy of Sciences. It predicts a methane
> production---separated from biogas---between 3.6-4.8
> cubic feet per pound of volatile solids over 15 days.
> but, of course there's things---like gas recirculation
> and better stirring---that can be done to improve gas
> production and of course, lots you can do to reduce
> it, too! The above mentioned book has exhaustive
> footnotes and references. Another helpful resource is
> A CHINESE BIOGAS MANUAL---which is the small digester
> standard at this time.
>
> Warren Weisman, USA
>
> --- Eric Fitch <fitch at springstreetgarage.com> wrote:
>
>> Dear AD Listers,
>>
>>
>>
>> Can anyone site a credible reference that explains
>> how to calculate the
>> methane output from a proposed digester with a known
>> feedstock?  I am
>> looking for a valid set of equations where inputs
>> would be measurable
>> properties like COD, TSS, VS, etc. and the output
>> would be a normalized
>> result, like mass of methane produced per mass of
>> COD input.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have found conflicting references while searching
>> the web that result in
>> an order of magnitude variation.  Unfortunately this
>> spread straddles the
>> point of viability for this project.  In order to
>> move forward I need more
>> confidence in the expected methane output.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you in advance for your help.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Eric Fitch
>>
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> End of Digestion Digest, Vol 11, Issue 3
> ****************************************
>