Anaerobic digester system

• US 6,296,766 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Technical Information, LLC
• Original Assignee: Leon Breckenridge
• Inventors: Breckenridge, Leon
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US09/439,815
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 210/96.1, 210/143, 210/603, 210/614, 210/739, 210/601, 210/610, 210/613, 210/615, 435/267, 435/286.1, 435/289.1, 71/7, 71/8, 71/10, 71/11, 71/13, 71/9, 706/15, 706/903, 706/914, 706/932
• US Class Current: 210/613
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 11/04 Anaerobic treatment; Production of methane by such processes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/006 Regulation methods for biological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/286 including two or more steps
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/04 for producing gas, e.g. biogas digesters for manure with production of biogas A01C3/028, biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage C02F3/00, C02F11/02, preparation of natural gas or syngas C10L3/06, C10L3/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/36 Means for collection or storage of gas; Gas holders
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/48 Automatic or computerized control automatic analysis G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/903 Control

Abstract

A method for an anaerobic digester system is provided that employs a cumulative data base to better monitor and control the anaerobic process, as compared with conventional anaerobic digester systems. The method includes the storing and ensiling of a feedstock, preferably a biomass, to form a digester feed material, which then processed by a digester. The process evolves a biogas and forms a digested material. The process is monitored, to collect a plurality of digester data from all stages of the process. These individual points or elements of the data are telemetered to a cumulative data base for storage and eventual retrieval and the cumulative data base is mined to compile predictive, feed forward controls and construct feedstock correlations between the metabolic activity within the digesters and an analysis of the feedstocks into the digesters. The method further includes the production of a high quality plant growth media from the digested mash, and recovery of the biogas generated within the digester. The biogas is collected with the aid of a biogas recovery system. The biogas is predominantly methane, and the anaerobic digester system is preferably operated to maximize the quantity and quality of methane generated.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an anaerobic digester system comprising the steps of:

a) storing a feedstock to form a digester feed material, the feedstock substantially comprised of a biologically generated component,

b) digesting the digester feed material in a digester, to form a biogas and a digested material;

c) monitoring and collecting a plurality of digester datum from the digester,

d) telemetering the plurality of digester datum to a cumulative data base; and

e) mining the cumulative data base to compile a predictive, feed forward control of an anaerobic digester system, the anaerobic digester system including the digester.

2. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

f) recovering the biogas generated within the digester with a biogas recovery system.

3. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

f) storing the feedstock in a storage chamber to pre-treat the digester feed material; and

g) monitoring and collecting a plurality of storage datum from the storage chamber,

h) telemetering the plurality of storage datum to the cumulative data base; and

i) mining the cumulative data base for a predictive, feed forward control of the anaerobic digester system, the anaerobic digester system additionally including the storage chamber.

4. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 3, further including the step of:

j) mining the cumulative data base to compile a reflexive, feed back control of the anaerobic digester system.

5. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 1, further including the steps of:

f) measuring metabolic activity within the digester; and

g) including a metabolic activity datum in the plurality of digester datum telemetered to the cumulative data base.

6. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 5, further including the steps of:

h) mining the cumulative database for a feedstock correlation, the feedstock correlation including a relation of a feedstock formula with respect to the metabolic activity datum; and

i) utilizing the feedstock correlation in a feed forward control for adjusting the feedstock formula to optimize anaerobic production activity.

7. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 6, further including the step of:

j) utilizing the feedstock formula correlation in a feed back control for adjusting the feedstock formula to optimize anaerobic production activity.

8. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 5, further including the step of:

h) mining the cumulative data base to compile a reflexive, feed back control of the anaerobic digester system.

9. The method for controlling an anaerobic digester system of claim 1, further including the step of:

f) mining the cumulative data base to compile a reflexive, feed back control of the anaerobic digester system.