Theoretical model and experimental validation to investigation the biogas production by anaerobic process: Wastewater treatment plant and energy production

Abstract

This research is conducted to investigate and assess the critical characteristics and contributions of the wastewater treatment plant in generating biogas (methane) and provide an economically feasible solution to replace fossil fuel resources. In some areas, wastewater treatment plants are required to produce gases and treat water. Governments sometimes wonder whether these stations are helpful for these places. Therefore, a theoretical evaluation was made of a station that is already operating. Thus, in this way, an evaluation is made of the places that require stations to be installed to determine whether they are feasible over time or whether they are expensive and ineffective. The present study uses numerical MATLAB simulations. The period of this study includes the twelve months of 2023. The simulation results show that the annual methane concentration ranges between 1.5 and 3.0 kg/m3. The annual microorganisms’ concentration ranges between 2.0 and 2.5 kg/m3. Based on the simulation results, the annual substrate concentration ranges between 0.7 and 2.8 kg/m3 for 2023. The theoretical model simulation results are identical to experimental results. The overall savings cost of diesel is 104 USD (11.200 tons) from using biogas production. As well as the annual carbon dioxide emissions saving is 29.515 tons by using biogas other than diesel.

Keywords

• Bioenergy
• Biogas
• Anaerobic decomposition process
• Economic feasibility
• Wastewater treatment plant