Optimisation of biomass waste to energy conversion systems for rural grid-connected applications

Abstract

Several rural farms have installed anaerobic digestion systems as manure management systems. Such systems are also used to provide electricity and heating. In these systems, biogas is generated from anaerobic digestion of biomass waste and combusted in a boiler and an engine-generator set, to produce heat and electricity respectively. This paper calculates the size and mode of operation of a biomass waste to energy conversion system that would result in maximum revenue for a given herd size. A Tabu Search optimisation technique is used. A number of equally good solutions are generated. These solutions are plotted on a Pareto front and the best solution is defined as one that lies on this Pareto front. Optimisation of a biomass waste to energy conversion system reduces reliance on electricity from the grid. It also reduces reliance on the use of propane or other fossil fuels for heating.

Effect of food to microbe ratio variation on anaerobic co-digestion of petrochemical wastewater with manure

“…The rapid growth of petrochemical industry, operations and severe accidents during transportations, treatment and disposal of wastewater has been recognized as the momentous sources of environmental pollution [3][4][5]. In addition, biodegradation of the hydrocarbons by naturally occurring bacteria has been described to be the core process; serving in the purification of the hydro-carbon contaminated environments [6][7][8]. Biological degradation with pretreatment of oil/water separation is being used by the petrochemical industries to treat the generated wastewater [9].…”

Energetic performance of landfill and digester biogas in a domestic cooker

“…These can be used as natural fertilizers contributing to decrease the use of chemical fertilizers that can have a negative impact by the accumulation of heavy metals on the underground water and the quality ofthe soil. There are many other potential applications for biogas such as the heat generation, electricity or fu el for vehicles [11][12][13][14]. Biogas can be compressed and even distributed through pipelines of NG fulfilling some composition requirements, although some problems of siloxanes for example are still unsolved [15].…”

Bioenergy, material, and nutrients recovery from household waste: Advanced material, substance, energy, and cost flow analysis of a waste refinery process

“…Among the others, mathematical optimization modeling was applied to evaluate potential performances and limitations of waste-and biomass-to-energy systems (both thermal and biological) [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] and also to evaluate potential optimal solutions for maximizing energy and environmental savings in wastewater treatment [24,25], industrial production [26][27][28] and waste management strategies [29][30][31].…”