Biogas Production for Cooking: Case Study for an Ecuadorian University
摘要
In the last decades, waste production and fossil fuel emissions have increased, contributing to climate change and the waste of resources. The concepts of renewable energy and circular economy are addressed by a biodigester that works with organic waste. This paper presents the research conducted to design an anaerobic digester that integrates the Internet of Things (IoT) for monitoring critical variables related to gas production and efficiency. The digester operates with garden waste and food waste from a restaurant located at a university in Ecuador. Biogas will be used for cooking, and biofertilizers will replace chemical ones. The biodigester was designed based on estimated quantities of waste and equations from previous works. The PVC-type biodigester can process an amount of 38.57 kg/day of organic waste using a pre-mix tank and a bag-type storage system. The IoT system allows remote monitoring of the most important operational parameters, improving efficiency and methane yield. Sensors measure temperature, pH, gas pressure, gas flow, level, and overflow conditions. Actuators include valves and pumps.