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The Influence of Temperature on Rheological Parameters and Energy Efficiency of Digestate in a Fermenter of an Agricultural Biogas Plant

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  • Maciej Filip Gruszczyński

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Tomasz Kałuża

    (Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

  • Wojciech Czekała

    (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

  • Paweł Zawadzki

    (Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

  • Jakub Mazurkiewicz

    (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

  • Radosław Matz

    (Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

  • Maciej Pawlak

    (Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

  • Paweł Jarzembowski

    (Institute of Environmental Biology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Farokh Sahraei Nezhad

    (Department of Energy Technology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Jacek Dach

    (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

Abstract

This investigation specifically aims to enhance the understanding of digestate flow and mixing behavior across typical temperatures in bioreactors in agricultural biogas plants, facilitating energy-efficient mixing. Experimental tests confirmed that digestate exhibits non-Newtonian characteristics, allowing its flow behavior to be captured by rheological models. This study validated that digestate rheology significantly varies with temperature, which influences flow resistance, mixing efficiency and overall energy requirements. Two rheological models—the Bingham and Ostwald models—were applied to characterize digestate behavior, with the Ostwald model emerging as the most effective for Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations, given its balance between predictive accuracy and computational efficiency. Specifically, results suggest that, while three-parameter models, like the Herschel–Bulkley model, offer high precision, their computational intensity is less suitable for large-scale modeling where efficiency is paramount. The small increase in the accuracy of the shearing process description does not compensate for the significant increase in CFD calculation time. Higher temperatures were found to reduce flow resistance, which in turn enables increased flow rates and more extensive mixing zones. This enhanced mass transfer and mixing potential at elevated temperatures are especially pronounced in peripheral areas of the bioreactor, farthest from the agitators. By contributing a model for rheological behavior under realistic bioreactor conditions, this study supports the optimization of energy use in biogas production. These findings emphasize that temperature adjustments within bioreactors could serve as a reliable control strategy to maintain optimal production conditions while minimizing operational costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Maciej Filip Gruszczyński & Tomasz Kałuża & Wojciech Czekała & Paweł Zawadzki & Jakub Mazurkiewicz & Radosław Matz & Maciej Pawlak & Paweł Jarzembowski & Farokh Sahraei Nezhad & Jacek Dach, 2024. "The Influence of Temperature on Rheological Parameters and Energy Efficiency of Digestate in a Fermenter of an Agricultural Biogas Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-23, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:23:p:6111-:d:1536705
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Leonzio, Grazia, 2018. "Study of mixing systems and geometric configurations for anaerobic digesters using CFD analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 578-589.
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