Online, new monitoring solutions for biogas production
Published on 10 January 2020
Finland
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi
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About this good practice
PROBLEM ADDRESSED
The problem is that biogas production is a biological process and difficult to control. The difficulty is that there are not still available sufficient or sufficiently mature monitoring tools addressing the whole range of relevant parametres. Usually, what is monitored are Temperature and PH. These are slow change parametres so when they are changing and, in case something has been going wrong, the information is not produced in real time and there is higher risk for the information to not be sufficiently relevant and therefore the potential problem is addressed with a delay. In the proposed solution, the problem is addressed in real time by measuring selected biological parametres (acid, sugars, fatty acids) in addition to the two usual ones (temperature and PH).
HOW THE SOLUTION WAS REACHED
1) Continuous monitoring solution for biogas production based on capillary electroforesis available, piloted in existing biogas production plant. 2) Solution for remote control support available, commercialized via local SME.
BACKGROUND: The present method is based on the diversification of already long-time research in the University of Oulu (MITY, in Kainuu).
STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
KAMK University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University Measurement Expertise Center Mity, Natural Natural resource institute LUKE, Biogas production operators (Jeppo Biogas), regional farmers, SMEs as remote control support service providers; ELY Centre; Regional Council.
The problem is that biogas production is a biological process and difficult to control. The difficulty is that there are not still available sufficient or sufficiently mature monitoring tools addressing the whole range of relevant parametres. Usually, what is monitored are Temperature and PH. These are slow change parametres so when they are changing and, in case something has been going wrong, the information is not produced in real time and there is higher risk for the information to not be sufficiently relevant and therefore the potential problem is addressed with a delay. In the proposed solution, the problem is addressed in real time by measuring selected biological parametres (acid, sugars, fatty acids) in addition to the two usual ones (temperature and PH).
HOW THE SOLUTION WAS REACHED
1) Continuous monitoring solution for biogas production based on capillary electroforesis available, piloted in existing biogas production plant. 2) Solution for remote control support available, commercialized via local SME.
BACKGROUND: The present method is based on the diversification of already long-time research in the University of Oulu (MITY, in Kainuu).
STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
KAMK University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University Measurement Expertise Center Mity, Natural Natural resource institute LUKE, Biogas production operators (Jeppo Biogas), regional farmers, SMEs as remote control support service providers; ELY Centre; Regional Council.
Resources needed
Rural Funds (public co funder is ELY Centre)
Budget: 70 000€
Staff: 1,5 persons
Budget: 70 000€
Staff: 1,5 persons
Evidence of success
(1)PRODUCTISATION: The product is used in real life circumstances and is performing as expected. The project improved the TRL from 3 to 6. It has been tested beyond Kainuu, e.g. in Ostrobothnia.
(2) PERFORMANCE (scale 1 to 5): Relative advantage: 4; Ease of use: 2; Environment: 3; Energy system: 4; Vehicle performance: 2; Awareness: 2.
(3) IMPACT: 3.1) The online monitoring is estimated to cut down the new biogas rector ramp-up time with 15-25 %. 3.2) Benefit ratio: +2 (scale -3to+3).
(2) PERFORMANCE (scale 1 to 5): Relative advantage: 4; Ease of use: 2; Environment: 3; Energy system: 4; Vehicle performance: 2; Awareness: 2.
(3) IMPACT: 3.1) The online monitoring is estimated to cut down the new biogas rector ramp-up time with 15-25 %. 3.2) Benefit ratio: +2 (scale -3to+3).
Potential for learning or transfer
The on-line monitoring tool is transferable per se and the methodology for adapting the monitoring parametres to different biogas production sources is also known, and easily applicable. The tool is at technology readiness level 6.
For more information
Outi Laatikainen, [email protected]
For more information
Outi Laatikainen, [email protected]
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with the University of Oulu.
Finland
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi
Contact
Senior project manager