πŸ”§ Engineering & System Design of Anaerobic Biogas Plant

 

Anaerobic Biogas Plant A Detailed Technical Overview with Components, Standards, Materials, and Safety

A Detailed Technical Overview with Components, Standards, Materials, and Safety


1. πŸ§ͺ Anaerobic Digester System

πŸ”© Main Components:

  • Feedstock Storage and Preparation Tanks: Used for collecting and homogenizing organic waste.

  • Primary Digester Tank (CSTR or UASB): Sealed reactor tank (typically cylindrical) where anaerobic fermentation occurs.

  • Heating Coils & Insulation Jackets: Maintain thermophilic or mesophilic temperature range (35–55Β°C).

  • Gas Dome or Membrane Cover: Captures produced biogas under pressure.

  • Mixing Equipment (Agitators or Recirculation Pumps): Ensures even microbial activity and prevents sedimentation.

🧱 Material of Construction:

  • Reactor Walls: Reinforced Concrete (ASTM C94 / BS EN 206), lined with Epoxy or HDPE.

  • Gas Storage: Double-membrane biogas holders (PVC-coated polyester with UV resistance).

  • Piping: Stainless Steel 316L or HDPE for corrosion resistance.

πŸ—οΈ Fabrication & Installation:

  • Civil works include deep foundation and waterproofing.

  • Precast or cast-in-situ digester tank construction.

  • Membrane dome prefabricated offsite, installed with tensioned anchoring rings.

πŸ”’ Safety Equipment:

  • Pressure Relief Valves (PRV)

  • Flame Arrestors

  • Emergency Flaring Unit

  • Continuous Gas Monitoring (CHβ‚„, Hβ‚‚S, COβ‚‚)

πŸ“ Design Standards:

  • ASME BPVC (Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code)

  • ISO 23553 (Biogas safety)

  • DIN 51624 (Biomethane Quality for Vehicles)


2. 🧼 Biogas Purification System

πŸ”© Main Components:

  • Scrubbers (Water or Amine): Remove Hβ‚‚S and moisture.

  • Activated Carbon Filters: Capture siloxanes and VOCs.

  • Membrane Separation or PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption): Removes COβ‚‚ for upgrading biogas to biomethane.

🧱 Material of Construction:

  • Columns: SS316L or FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic)

  • Piping & valves: PTFE-lined or stainless steel

  • Moisture traps and condensate drains are standard.

πŸ—οΈ Fabrication Process:

  • Column vessels are fabricated per ASME standards.

  • Skid-mounted PSA/membrane units are pre-assembled at factory.

πŸ”’ Safety Features:

  • Hβ‚‚S detectors with alarm system

  • Explosion-proof enclosures for electricals

  • Anti-static grounding for gas flow systems

πŸ“ Relevant Standards:

  • ISO 15403-1 (Fuel quality for CNG)

  • ATEX Directive for explosive environments

  • NFPA 820 for combustible gas handling


3. πŸ›’οΈ Compressed Biogas (CBG) System

πŸ”© Main Components:

  • Dryer & Cooling Unit: Removes final moisture traces.

  • Compressors (Rotary or Screw type): Raises pressure up to 250 bar.

  • Cascade Storage Cylinders: High-pressure gas storage for bottling or transport.

  • Filling Station with Nozzle Interface: For cylinder or vehicle refueling.

🧱 Materials:

  • Cylinder material: Carbon steel or composite (ISO 11439 compliant)

  • Compressor housing: Cast iron with anti-explosion design

πŸ—οΈ Fabrication:

  • High-pressure components certified to PED (Pressure Equipment Directive)

  • Hydrostatic testing for cylinders and pipelines

πŸ”’ Safety Systems:

  • Pressure gauges, rupture discs, and back-pressure regulators

  • Fire suppression and gas leak detection system

  • Emergency shut-off valves (ESV)

πŸ“ Standards:

  • ISO 9809, ISO 11120 for gas cylinders

  • OISD (Oil Industry Safety Directorate – India)

  • ISO 16923: CNG refueling stations


4. πŸ”Œ Energy Distribution System

πŸ”© Key Components:

  • Pipeline Grid: For biogas delivery to nearby users.

  • Cylinder Distribution System: For remote or rural areas.

  • Smart Metering Units: Measures household or industrial consumption.

🧱 Material & Protection:

  • Pipelines: MDPE (Medium-Density Polyethylene), ASTM D2513

  • Joints: Electro-fusion type for leak-proof sealing

  • UV-shielded external piping for above-ground exposure

πŸ—οΈ Fabrication:

  • Trenching and directional boring for pipeline installation

  • Prefabricated valve stations and flow control boxes

πŸ”’ Safety:

  • Odorant injection to detect leaks

  • Over-pressure protection valves

  • GIS-based leak monitoring (SCADA integration)

πŸ“ Codes & Standards:

  • IGEM/TD/3 for PE gas pipelines

  • ASME B31.8 – Gas Transmission and Distribution


5. 🌊 Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

πŸ”© Key Components:

  • Settling Tanks & Clarifiers: Separate solids from liquid digestate

  • Aerobic Treatment Units (SBR/MBBR): Reduces COD/BOD

  • Sludge Drying Beds or Centrifuge Units: Handles final sludge

🧱 Material & Equipment:

  • Clarifiers: RCC with epoxy lining

  • Aeration: Blowers (SS) with diffusers (EPDM or PTFE)

  • Screens & filters in SS304

πŸ—οΈ Fabrication & Installation:

  • Modular units pre-installed on skids

  • PLC-based automation for dosing and aeration

πŸ”’ Safety:

  • PPE for operators (chemical resistant gloves, masks)

  • Containment basins to avoid groundwater contamination

πŸ“ Standards:

  • ISO 10667: Treatment of Industrial Wastewater

  • USEPA 503 for land application of biosolids

  • SNI 6989 – Indonesian wastewater quality standard


6. ♻️ Byproduct Processing Unit

πŸ”© Key Functional Sections:

  • Solid-Liquid Separator (Screw Press or Belt Filter): Separates digestate fractions

  • Drying & Pelletizing Equipment: Converts solid digestate into fertilizer pellets

  • Nutrient Recovery Systems: Extracts nitrogen, phosphorus for enriched fertilizers

  • Formulation Station: Adds minerals to create soil conditioners or animal feed additives

🧱 Materials & Construction:

  • Separator: SS304 housing, food-grade belts

  • Pelletizer: Mild steel body with anti-rust coating

  • Storage silos: Galvanized steel or HDPE-lined

πŸ—οΈ Fabrication:

  • Assembled in modular units for transport

  • Calibrated feeders and dosing pumps integrated

πŸ”’ Safety Systems:

  • Dust extraction units in pelletizing area

  • Conveyor covers and automatic shut-off switches

  • Fire extinguishers in drying zones

πŸ“ Compliance:

  • EU Fertilizing Products Regulation (FPR)

  • ISO 22000 (for animal feed safety)

  • FAO biofertilizer guideline

πŸ“Œ If you are interested in seeing articles that are relevant to this field, you can find them πŸ‘‰ here or here