Experimental determination of the influence of a constant electric field on the output of biogas and substrate varieties

Abstract

Оbjective. To investigate the effectiveness of stimulation of biogas release from cow substrate under influence of constant electric field of certain tension at mesophilic temperature regime. Methodology. Experimental research based on a laboratory biogas plant consisting of two reactors housed inside a thermostat and connected to gas-holder system to determine its volume and chemical composition. One of the reactors is equipped with a system of exposure to substrate by constant electric field. The optimum intensity of electric field was determined by previous experiments. The research was performed on a cow's substrate under mesophilic regimen and included determination of the dynamics of biogas output, changes in its chemical composition, and overall degree of dry organic matter destruction. Findings. The research has shown that biogas output per unit of dry organic matter under influence of constant electric field increased by 11.3%, the destruction of the latter increased by 12.2%, and the total volume of biogas (excluding CO2) increased by 8, 2%. It should also be noted that the lag phase was reduced by 12.2%. Originality. Complex research of influence of constant electric field on biomethanogenesis with measurement of chemical composition of obtained biogas and determination of degree of dry organic matter destruction has not been conducted before. Practicalvalue. The work allowed us to conclude that the influence of constante lectric field of certain intensity really stimulates the process of biogas production, without significantly affecting its composition. This method of biome-?hanogenesis intensification can be applied in industrial plants to increase their efficiency. Keywords: biogas, biomethanogenesis, bioenergy, biogasplant, chemical composition