[Digestion] Inoculation

Wed Sep 29 07:33:28 CDT 2010

Jaime has suggested baking/brewing yeast (is there a big difference?).
 There must be a way to keep the bacteria alive in the digester
effluent, while also reducing the effluent volume and improving the
portability.  Maybe a combination of the two things?  This seems like
a useful area of inquiry.  I did, however, assume that someone out
there already had this nailed down...anyone else!?

Saludos,

A

On 9/29/10, Greg Austin <greg.austin at agama.co.za> wrote:
> Hi
>
> We have a similar problem here with our small digesters, and typically
> use cow manure as a starter.  We have also looked into the tablets,
> and yes they are enzymes, and really don't do what's required.  Sorry
> not to be able to offer a solution, but hope someone else can provide
> ideas?!
>
> Regards
>
> --
>
> Greg Austin
> AGAMA Biogas (Pty) Ltd
> T       +27 21 7013364
> F       +27 21 7024920
> E       greg.austin at agama.co.za
> W     www.agama.co.za
> W     www.biogaspro.com
>
> On 29 Sep 2010, at 4:47 AM, digestion-request at lists.bioenergylists.org
> wrote:
>
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Re: Inoculation for Small Digesters (Marc de Piolenc)
>>   2. Re: Costs of different household biodigesters (Eric Buysman)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:44:58 +0800
>> From: Marc de Piolenc <piolenc at archivale.com>
>> To: For Discussion of Anaerobic Digestion
>> 	<digestion at lists.bioenergylists.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Digestion] Inoculation for Small Digesters
>> Message-ID: <4CA2A82A.1060105 at archivale.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>>
>> The tablets are probably enzymes, when what you need are the
>> microorganisms that produced the enzymes. You may need to produce your
>> own packaged inoculant, but if you succeed you may have a marketable
>> product. Research is the first step; find out the techniques used in
>> microbiological laboratories for culturing and preserving the
>> organisms
>> you need, then see if they all have a common preservation medium.
>>
>> Best,
>> Marc de Piolenc
>> Iligan City, Philippines
>>
>> Archivale catalog: http://www.archivale.com/catalog
>> Polymath weblog: http://www.archivale.com/weblog
>> Translation services: http://www.proz.com/profile/639380
>> Ducted fans: http://massflow.archivale.com/
>>
>> On 9/29/2010 1:07 AM, Alexander Eaton wrote:
>>> HI All,
>>>
>>> We have been doing our systems start (for small household scale
>>> digesters) with the paunch waste from slaughterhouses, adding 50-100
>>> liters of the waste along with manure and water as an initial charge.
>>> Transporting this waste (wet, heavy, and a bit nasty) is a bit of a
>>> pain.  My technicians keeping hinting at better incolculant
>>> solutions,
>>> and I would like to see if there is anyone out there making really
>>> effective inoculates (or knows how to make them) that are dry,
>>> simple to
>>> apply, but really effective in starting a digester.  Efficient and
>>> fast
>>> start-up is a really crucial aspect of technology adoptions, and
>>> using
>>> effluent from functioning digesters or the paunch waste has
>>> produced the
>>> best results for us as far as start-up rates.  We have seen a brand
>>> of
>>> tablets for septic tanks, but we have not found them to improve
>>> start-up
>>> times as compared with straight manure.  Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>> Saludos,
>>>
>>> A
>>>
>>> --
>>> Alexander Eaton
>>> Sistema Biobolsa
>>> IRRI-Mexico
>>>
>>> Mex cel: (55) 11522786
>>> US cel: 970 275 4505
>>>
>>> alex at sistemabiobolsa.com <mailto:alex at sistemabiobolsa.com>
>>> alexanderb.eaton at gmail.com <mailto:alexanderb.eaton at gmail.com>
>>> sistemabiobolsa.com <http://sistemabiobolsa.com>
>>> www.irrimexico.org <http://www.irrimexico.org>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Digestion mailing list
>>> Digestion at lists.bioenergylists.org
>>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/digestion_lists.bioenergylists.org
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:47:36 -0700 (PDT)
>> From: Eric Buysman <ericishier at yahoo.com>
>> To: For Discussion of Anaerobic Digestion
>> 	<digestion at lists.bioenergylists.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Digestion] Costs of different household biodigesters
>> Message-ID: <6976.126.qm at web33805.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> The investment costs (part paid by the farmer) in Cambodia are as
>> follows:
>>
>> Plant size 4 m3 6 m3 8 m3 10 m3 15 m3
>> Estimated cost   (USD)* 400 470 550 625 890
>> Subsidy (USD) 150 150 150 150 150
>>
>> The digester model is a modified version of the  Deenbandhu
>> digester, a fixed
>> dome digester. The digester have a 2 year warranty and last
>> typically for 15-20
>> years.
>>
>> On top of that users receive a flat rate subsidy of $150, which
>> originates from
>> carbon finance. The program costs are, I believe, now $250 per
>> biogas plants.
>> This is a joint SNV- Cambodian government programme.
>>
>> In Vietnam the costs are almost 1 million VND per m3, that is around
>> $50/m3
>> digester volume, on top of that farmers receive a flat rate $50
>> subsidy. Their
>> digester model is based on the Chinese dome digester.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Alexander Eaton <alex at sistemabiobolsa.com>
>> To: For Discussion of Anaerobic Digestion
>> <digestion at lists.bioenergylists.org
>> >
>> Sent: Wed, September 29, 2010 7:48:18 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Digestion] Costs of different household biodigesters
>>
>> HI All,
>>
>> We have reinforced polyethylene geomembrane digester in a variety of
>> sizes that
>> come as a "kit" with all connections, biogas reservoir, geo-textil
>> ground liner,
>> gas management systems with high pressure relief valve and filter,
>> and simpler
>> burner.  The system can be installed in the ground or above ground,
>> and the
>> material has a 20 year guarantee.  We service and guarantee the
>> systems for two
>> years, and offer low cost service for the life of the system
>> (currently only in
>> Mexico).  There may be additional costs associated with a roof or
>> greenhouse
>> structure for the digester.  Note that Jaime has also included the
>> price of a
>> greenhouse cover for the Bolivia systems, which many others leave
>> out.  Our
>> intention is no use of concrete, but sometimes there is a bit of
>> work needed to
>> make the pig-pen or stable drain adequately to the digester.  Retail
>> prices (all
>> in) are below, and the sizes refer to m3.  We have made systems of 1
>> and 2 m3
>> for test purposes, but these are not much less expensive than that
>> of 4 meters
>> as the entrance and exits cost the same and our asembly labor is
>> nearly the same
>> as well (therefore larger systems are less expensive per m3).  From
>> these prices
>> we offer discounts for good programs, low income families, and for
>> higher
>> quantities purchased.
>>
>>
>>
>> Bolsa Sizes  Costo (MXN) Costo (US$)
>> 4 $9,292 $743
>> 8 $12,802 $1,024
>> 12 $16,312 $1,305
>> 16 $19,823 $1,586
>> 20 $20,515 $1,641
>> 30 $28,813 $2,305
>>
>> We also built a lot of regular plastic digesters in the style of Jaime
>> (Taiwanese or Preston Digester), and the costs in Mexico (same
>> components,
>> double layer bag), were only about 10-20% lower.  This is higher
>> than Jaime has
>> shown, which could be because of higher material prices in Mexico.
>>
>>
>> For SNV's program in Africa, their prices for the concrete dome
>> digesters were
>> nearly identical for those I listed above.  We are quite a bit
>> cheaper overall
>> as our system requires only a couple hours (one technician installs
>> 3 per day)
>> versus a week of construction.  Also, our materials prices are much
>> cheaper at
>> higher volumes.
>>
>>
>> It is important to note that it can be very misleading to state
>> "costs" for
>> these types of systems.  These sorts of speculations often seem to
>> project the
>> idea that someone is building the system in their backyard, and
>> therefore it is
>> appropriate to externalize many of the costs.  When installing the
>> "appropriate
>> tech" style bag digester, there are a few days of installation
>> preparation, plus
>> acquisition of materials, etc.  Just pulling off the price tag of
>> the materials
>> often does not appropriately encapsulate the full cost of the
>> installation.
>> This tends to set up false expectations to those who would like to
>> promote the
>> technology, or when a government wants to spend to have them
>> installed.  I
>> beleive (please comment Jaime) that the Bolivia program has a
>> subsidy in place
>> for installation, transport, and labor, which is crucial to
>> consider.  The
>> families are also required to supply certain materials and labor for
>> the
>> installation.
>>
>>
>> I also have a full study of Life Cycle Costs, which is arguably a
>> better measure
>> of the cost of a system that you want to last a long time.  With a
>> longer
>> projected life span (and repairability), geomembrane digesters were
>> about 40%
>> less expensive over a 10 year span than lower quality plastic
>> systems.  Dome
>> digester tend to hold their value longer in some cases, but there is
>> a higher
>> abandonment rate due to slow gas leaks that reduce end user
>> satisfaction.
>>
>>
>> Saludos,
>>
>> A
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 6:03 PM, Jaime Marti Herrero
>> <tallerbiogas at hotmail.com
>> >
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi
>>> plugflow digester made of tubular polyethilene cost in Bolivia:
>>> -For cold climate : 230 us$ with 6.5m3 of liquid volume, green
>>> house, three
>>> biogas reservoirs, and one bunner
>>> -For valley climate: 185 us$ with 3,5m3 of liquid volume, 66% sun
>>> cover, two
>>> biogas reservoirs and one bunner
>>> -For tropical climate 168 us$ witk 3 m3 of  liquid volume, 66% sun
>>> cover, two
>>> biogas reservoirs and one bunner
>>> all of are load with 20kg of fresh cow manure and 60 liters of
>>> water per day,
>>> producing about 700 liters of biogas per day.
>>>
>>> We have done 1m3 tubular polyethilene digester for research
>>> considerations using
>>> 2m circunference plastic and 4,8 meters long. i dont have the cost
>>> because a
>>> plastic factory donate this material to our laboratory.
>>>
>>> i hope this helps
>>> keep in touch
>>> jaime
>>> -----
>>> Jaime Mart? Herrero
>>>
>>>
>>> Technical advisor of biogas for the GTZ-Bolivia
>>> CIMNE (www.cimne.com)
>>> Building Energy and Environment Group
>>> International research cooperation area
>>> La Paz ? Bolivia
>>> Tel. (+591)-73 090 621
>>>
>>>
>>> BIOGAS AND BOLIVIA
>>> -Taller Biogas Bolivia
>>> http://tallerbiogas.blogspot.com
>>> -Video: Biodigester installation in bolivian Altiplano
>>> http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sl0XEN5Bgo
>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs0JuV8WD_c
>>> -Manual gratuito-Biodigestores familiares: Gu?a de dise?o y manual de
>>> instalaci?n
>>> http://www.upc.edu/grecdh/pdf/2008_JMH_Guia_biodigestores.pdf
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>> Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:50:06 -0700
>>> From: ivomdb at gmail.com
>>>
>>> To: digestion at lists.bioenergylists.org
>>> Subject: [Digestion] Costs of different household biodigesters
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I would like to know if anyone knows or have a good estimate of the
>>> cost of the
>>> following small scale biodigesters:
>>>
>>> 1- Plug-flow polyethylene biodigester type (like the ones in
>>> Bolivia) (between
>>> 1-10 m3).... I don't know if it's possible to build one with such
>>> small size
>>> like 1m3
>>> 2- Chinese fixed-dome (between 1m3-10 m3)
>>> 3- ARTI type biodigester (1-2 m3)
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Ivo Oliveira
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ Digestion mailing
>>> list
>>> Digestion at lists.bioenergylists.org
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>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Alexander Eaton
>> Sistema Biobolsa
>> IRRI-Mexico
>>
>> Mex cel: (55) 11522786
>> US cel: 970 275 4505
>>
>> alex at sistemabiobolsa.com
>> alexanderb.eaton at gmail.com
>> sistemabiobolsa.com
>> www.irrimexico.org
>>
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>

-- 
Sent from my mobile device

Alexander Eaton
Presidente
Sistema Biobolsa

Mex cel: (55) 11522786
US cel: 970 275 4505
alex at sistemabiobolsa.com
alexanderb.eaton at gmail.com
sistemabiobolsa.com
www.irrimexico.org