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Estimating Sludge Deposition on the Heat Exchanger in the Digester of a Biogas Plant

Author

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  • Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski

    (Department of HVAC Engineering, Bialystok University of Technology, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland)

  • Leszek Hożejowski

    (Faculty of Management and Computer Modelling, Kielce University of Technology, al.Tysiąclecia P.P. 7, 25-314 Kielce, Poland)

Abstract

The presented research addresses a problem occurring in a biogas plant, which we know plays an important role in sustainable development. The sludge deposited on the walls of the digester’s heat exchanger impairs heat transfer to the substrate. It leads to a temperature drop inside the biogas plant and threatens its correct operation. The thickness of the sludge layer cannot be directly measured when the plant is operating. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop and then validate a method for estimating, based on the operating parameters of the exchanger, the thickness of the sludge layer and to give theoretical foundations for designing an automatic sludge monitoring system. Two mathematical models (and methods) were developed: one- and two-dimensional. The former model was solved analytically while the latter by the Trefftz method. The numerical results from these two approaches showed very good agreement with each other and with the actual measurement taken directly after removing the substrate from the fermentation chamber. According to the calculation results, the growth of the sludge layer was linear with time, and its rate was 0.0064 mm per day. Finally, a schematic diagram of an intended sludge monitoring system was proposed. It could optimize biogas plant operation and thus become a step towards more sustainable energy production.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski & Leszek Hożejowski, 2024. "Estimating Sludge Deposition on the Heat Exchanger in the Digester of a Biogas Plant," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:18:p:7981-:d:1476813
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rached Ben-Mansour & Sami El-Ferik & Mustafa Al-Naser & Bilal A. Qureshi & Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Eltoum & Ahmed Abuelyamen & Fouad Al-Sunni & Ridha Ben Mansour, 2023. "Experimental/Numerical Investigation and Prediction of Fouling in Multiphase Flow Heat Exchangers: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-32, March.
    2. Magdalena Piasecka & Sylwia Hożejowska & Beata Maciejewska & Anna Pawińska, 2021. "Time-Dependent Heat Transfer Calculations with Trefftz and Picard Methods for Flow Boiling in a Mini-Channel Heat Sink," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-24, March.
    3. Tomasz Romanowicz & Jan Taler & Magdalena Jaremkiewicz & Tomasz Sobota, 2023. "Determination of Heat Transfer Correlations for Fluids Flowing through Plate Heat Exchangers Needed for Online Monitoring of District Heat Exchanger Fouling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-14, August.
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