Thermophilic digester
Encyclopedia
A thermophilic digester or thermophilic biodigester is a kind of biodigester that operates in temperatures above 50 °C producing biogas
. It has some advantages: it does not need agitation and is faster in fermentation than a mesophilic digester
. In fact, it can be as much as six to ten times faster than a normal biodigester. The problem is that for use in this biodigester, the source must enter at high temperature. Vinasse
is produced at more than 70 °C and can be used in this kind of biodigester. For each unit of volume of ethanol, about eight units of vinasse are produced. In Brazil, this kind of biodigester is used to process vinasse as a cheap source of methane
.
Biogas
Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas...
. It has some advantages: it does not need agitation and is faster in fermentation than a mesophilic digester
Mesophilic digester
Mesophilic digester or Mesophilic biodigester is a kind of biodigester that operates in temperatures between 20°C and about 40°, typically 37°C. This is the most used kind of biodigester in the world. More than 90% of worldwide biodigesters are of this type. Thermophilic digesters are less than 10%...
. In fact, it can be as much as six to ten times faster than a normal biodigester. The problem is that for use in this biodigester, the source must enter at high temperature. Vinasse
Vinasse
Vinasse is a byproduct of the sugar industry. Sugarcane or Sugar beet is processed to produce crystalline sugar, pulp and molasses. The latter are further processed by fermentation to ethanol, ascorbic acid or other products. After the removal of the desired product the remaining material is...
is produced at more than 70 °C and can be used in this kind of biodigester. For each unit of volume of ethanol, about eight units of vinasse are produced. In Brazil, this kind of biodigester is used to process vinasse as a cheap source of methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
.