Computer Controlled Biogas Processing Plant
The Computer Controlled Biogas Processing Plant, “PBGC”, is supplied with two reactors made of stainless steel with level sensors and stirring systems. In this way, the user can work either in only one stage or in two stages, separating the different phases of the digestion process (the processes of hydrolysis, acidogenesis and acetogenesis would take place in the first digester, and the methanogenesis in the second digester) and optimizing the conditions of each reactor separately.
The feed (substrate) is driven from a supply tank with stainless steel agitator to the first reactor by a computer controlled pump. The working mode can be continuous or discontinuous (in batches). Another pump impels the substrate from the first to the second reactor and, finally, another pump impels the generated digestate to a collection tank, where it is possible to study the influence of post-fermentation on the biogas output.
Both digesters have a heating jacket that allows the flow of hot water to regulate the appropriate temperature for each part of the process and the working temperature within different ranges depending on the used microorganisms (PID Control). The water that flows in the jacket is heated in a tank with a heating element and impelled through the two reactors in a closed circuit by a circulating pump.
To control the pH in the reactors, there are two computer controlled peristaltic pumps that impel acid or base to the reactors. The acid and base tanks are connected to each reactor independently.
The biogas produced is dried on a silica gel column and driven to a measurement pipe, where the biogas obtained is analyzed by measurements of flow rate, humidity, methane concentration, carbon dioxide concentration and biogas temperature. Thus, the obtained biogas is characterized and its quality and value as a source of renewable energy is determined.
This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the process.
With this unit there are several options and possibilities:
- Main items: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
- Optional items: 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Let us describe first the main items (1 to 6):
1. PBGC. Unit:
Anodized aluminum frame and panels made of painted steel.
The unit includes wheels to facilitate its mobility.
Main metallic elements made of stainless steel.
Diagram in the front panel with distribution of the elements similar to the real one.
Supply tank made of stainless steel. Capacity: 25 l. It includes:
Agitator made of stainless steel. Max. speed: 200 rpm.
Sight glass.
Three computer controlled pumps to impel the substrate. Maximum flow rate: 25 l/h.
Two reactors made of stainless steel. Capacity: between 20 l – 70 l. Each reactor includes:
Level sensor.
“J” type temperature sensor.
pH sensor, range: 0 – 14.
Agitator made of stainless steel. Max. speed: 150 rpm.
Heating jacket.
Sight glass.
Digestate collection tank made of stainless steel. Capacity: 25 l. It includes:
Level sensor.
Sight glass.
PH adjustment system:
Two computer controlled peristaltic pumps to impel the acid and base. Maximum flow rate: 2.5 l/h.
Two tanks for the acid and the base made of polypropylene. Capacity: 5 l each.
Heating system consisting of:
Tank made of stainless steel equipped with:
Computer controlled electric heating element. Temperature PID control.
“J” type temperature sensor to measure the water temperature.
Level switch to control the water level in the tank.
Cover made of stainless steel to avoid contact with hot water. It includes an orifice to observe the level of water and, even, to refill the tank.
Valve to drain water.
Pump to impel hot water. Maximum flow rate: 8 l/min.
Silica gel column for biogas drying.
Valves to select the circuits.
Sampling point with valve for external sampling of generated biogas.
Biogas analysis section:
Sensor to measure the methane concentration of the generated biogas, 0 – 100 %.
Sensor to measure the carbon dioxide concentration of the generated biogas, 0 – 100 %.
“J” type temperature sensor.
Humidity sensor, 0 – 100 %.
Sensor to measure the flow rate of generated biogas, range: 0 – 30 Nl/h.
The plant can be controlled through a PLC operated by a touchscreen.
The complete unit includes as well:
Advanced Real-Time SCADA and PID Control.
Open Control + Multicontrol + Real-Time Control.
Specialized EDIBON Control Software based on LabVIEW.
National Instruments Data Acquisition board (250 KS/s, kilo samples per second).
Calibration exercises, which are included, teach the user how to calibrate a sensor and the importance of checking the accuracy of the sensors before taking measurements.
Projector and/or electronic whiteboard compatibility allows the unit to be explained and demonstrated to an entire class at one time.
Capable of doing applied research, real industrial simulation, training courses, etc.
Remote operation and control by the user and remote control for EDIBON technical support, are always included.
Totally safe, utilizing 4 safety systems (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic & Software).
Designed and manufactured under several quality standards.
Optional ICAI software to create, edit and carry out practical exercises, tests, exams, calculations, etc. Apart from monitoring user's knowledge and progress reached.
This unit has been designed for future expansion and integration. A common expansion is the EDIBON Scada-Net (ESN) System which enables multiple students to simultaneously operate many units in a network.
2. PBGC/CIB. Control Interface Box:
The Control Interface Box is part of the SCADA system.
Control interface box with process diagram in the front panel and with the same distribution that the different elements located in the unit, for an easy understanding by the student.
All sensors, with their respective signals, are properly manipulated from -10V. to +10V. computer output.
Sensors connectors in the interface have different pines numbers (from 2 to 16), to avoid connection errors.
Single cable between the control interface box and computer.
The unit control elements are permanently computer controlled, without necessity of changes or connections during the whole process test procedure.
Simultaneous visualization in the computer of all parameters involved in the process.
Calibration of all sensors involved in the process.
Real time curves representation about system responses.
Storage of all the process data and results in a file.
Graphic representation, in real time, of all the process/system responses.
All the actuators’ values can be changed at any time from the keyboard allowing the analysis about curves and responses of the whole process.
All the actuators and sensors values and their responses are displayed on only one screen in the computer.
Shield and filtered signals to avoid external interferences.
Real time PID control with flexibility of modifications from the computer keyboard of the PID parameters, at any moment during the process.
Real time PID and on/off control for pumps, compressors, heating elements, control valves, etc.
Real time PID control for parameters involved in the process simultaneously.
Proportional control, integral control and derivative control, based on the real PID mathematical formula, by changing the values, at any time, of the three control constants (proportional, integral and derivative constants).
Open control allowing modifications, at any moment and in real time, of parameters involved in the process simultaneously.
Possibility of automatization of the actuators involved in the process.
Three safety levels, one mechanical in the unit, another electronic in the control interface and the third one in the control software.
3. DAB. Data Acquisition Board:
The Data Acquisition board is part of the SCADA system.
PCI Express Data acquisition board (National Instruments) to be placed in a computer slot. Bus PCI Express.
Analog input:
Number of channels= 16 single-ended or 8 differential. Resolution=16 bits, 1 in 65536.
Sampling rate up to: 250 KS/s (kilo samples per second).
Input range (V)=±10 V. Data transfers=DMA, interrupts, programmed I/0. DMA channels=6.
Analog output:
Number of channels=2. Resolution=16 bits, 1 in 65536.
Maximum output rate up to: 900 KS/s.
Output range (V)=±10 V. Data transfers=DMA, interrupts, programmed I/0.
Digital Input/Output:
Number of channels=24 inputs/outputs. D0 or DI Sample Clock frequency: 0 to 100 MHz.
Timing: Number of Counter/timers=4. Resolution: Counter/timers: 32 bits.
4. PBGC/CCSOF. PID Computer Control + Data Acquisition + Data Management Software:
The three softwares are part of the SCADA system.
Compatible with actual Windows operating systems. Graphic and intuitive simulation of the process in screen. Compatible with the industry standards.
Registration and visualization of all process variables in an automatic and simultaneous way.
Flexible, open and multicontrol software, developed with actual windows graphic systems, acting simultaneously on all process parameters.
Analog and digital PID control.
PID menu and set point selection required in the whole work range.
Management, processing, comparison and storage of data.
Sampling velocity up to 250 KS/s (kilo samples per second).
Calibration system for the sensors involved in the process.
It allows the registration of the alarms state and the graphic representation in real time.
Comparative analysis of the obtained data, after the process and modification of the conditions during the process.
Open software, allowing the teacher to modify texts, instructions. Teacher’s and student’s passwords to facilitate the teacher’s control on the student, and allowing the access to different work levels.
This unit allows the 30 students of the classroom to visualize simultaneously all the results and the manipulation of the unit, during the process, by using a projector or an electronic whiteboard.
5. Cables and Accessories, for normal operation.
6. Manuals:
This unit is supplied with 8 manuals: Required Services, Assembly and Installation, Interface and Control Software, Starting-up, Safety, Maintenance, Calibration & Practices Manuals.
References 1 to 6 are the main items: PBGC + PBGC/CIB + DAB + PBGC/CCSOF + Cables and Accessories + Manuals are included in the minimum supply for enabling normal and full operation.
TENDER SPECIFICATIONS (for optional items)
a) Technical and Vocational Education configuration
7 PBGC/ICAI. Interactive Computer Aided Instruction Software System.
This complete software package consists of an Instructor Software (EDIBON Classroom Manager - ECM-SOF) totally integrated with the Student Software (EDIBON Student Labsoft - ESL-SOF). Both are interconnected so that the teacher knows at any moment what is the theoretical and practical knowledge of the students.
- ECM-SOF. EDIBON Classroom Manager (Instructor Software).
ECM-SOF is the application that allows the Instructor to register students, manage and assign tasks for workgroups, create own content to carry out Practical Exercises, choose one of the evaluation methods to check the Student knowledge and monitor the progression related to the planned tasks for individual students, workgroups, units, etc...so the teacher can know in real time the level of understanding of any student in the classroom.
Innovative features:
• User Data Base Management.
• Administration and assignment of Workgroup, Task and Training sessions.
• Creation and Integration of Practical Exercises and Multimedia Resources.
• Custom Design of Evaluation Methods.
• Creation and assignment of Formulas & Equations.
• Equation System Solver Engine.
• Updatable Contents.
• Report generation, User Progression Monitoring and Statistics.
- ESL-SOF. EDIBON Student Labsoft (Student Software).
ESL-SOF is the application addressed to the Students that helps them to understand theoretical concepts by means of practical exercises and to prove their knowledge and progression by performing tests and calculations in addition to Multimedia Resources. Default planned tasks and an Open workgroup are provided by EDIBON to allow the students start working from the first session. Reports and statistics are available to know their progression at any time, as well as explanations for every exercise to reinforce the theoretically acquired technical knowledge.
Innovative features:
• Student Log-In & Self-Registration.
• Existing Tasks checking & Monitoring.
• Default contents & scheduled tasks available to be used from the first session.
• Practical Exercises accomplishment by following the Manual provided by EDIBON.
• Evaluation Methods to prove your knowledge and progression.
• Test self-correction.
• Calculations computing and plotting.
• Equation System Solver Engine.
• User Monitoring Learning & Printable Reports.
• Multimedia-Supported auxiliary resources.
8 PBGC/FSS. Faults Simulation System.
Faults Simulation System (FSS) is a Software package that simulates several faults in any EDIBON Computer Controlled Unit.
The "FAULTS" mode consists in causing several faults in the unit normal operation. The student must find them and solve them.
There are several kinds of faults that can be grouped in the following sections:
Faults affecting the sensors measurement:
- An incorrect calibration is applied to them.
- Non-linearity.
Faults affecting the actuators:
- Actuators channels interchange at any time during the program execution.
- Response reduction of an actuator.
Faults in the controls execution:
- Inversion of the performance in ON/OFF controls.
- Reduction or increase of the calculated total response.
- The action of some controls is annulled.
On/off faults:
- Several on/off faults can be included.
b) Multipost Expansions options
9 MINI ESN. EDIBON Mini Scada-Net System for being used with EDIBON Teaching Units.
MINI ESN. EDIBON Mini Scada-Net System allows up to 30 students to work with a Teaching Unit in any laboratory, simultaneously.
The MINI ESN system consists of the adaptation of any EDIBON Computer Controlled Unit with SCADA and PID Control integrated in a local network.
This system allows to view/control the unit remotely, from any computer integrated in the local net (in the classroom), through the main computer connected to the unit.
Main characteristics:
- It allows up to 30 students to work simultaneously with the EDIBON Computer Controlled Unit with SCADA and PID Control, connected in a local net.
- Open Control + Multicontrol + Real Time Control + Multi Student Post.
- Instructor controls and explains to all students at the same time.
- Any user/student can work doing "real time" control/multicontrol and visualisation.
- Instructor can see in the computer what any user/student is doing in the unit.
- Continuous communication between the instructor and all the users/students connected.
Main advantages:
- It allows an easier and quicker understanding.
- This system allows you can save time and cost.
- Future expansions with more EDIBON Units.
The system basically will consist of:
This system is used with a Computer Controlled Unit.
- Instructor’s computer.
- Students’ computers.
- Local Network.
- Unit-Control Interface adaptation.
- Unit Software adaptation.
- Webcam.
- MINI ESN Software to control the whole system.
- Cables and accessories required for a normal operation.