ARF08 - Modular, containerized anaerobic digester combined heat and power system

| Alternative Renewable Fuels - Project Summaries 2006 |

Researcher:

William Kemp, Powerbase Automation Systems Inc.

Objectives:

1. Develop a modular, factory-built AD combined heat and power system for the small-scale agricultural market.

2. Develop closed-loop feedback controller and algorithms to ensure AD operation under all conditions.

3. Automate entire biological to energy processes in an AD system to reduce farm operator involvement and improve overall “capacity factor”.

4. Commercialize the technology in Ontario using established distribution network of partner companies.

5. Expand sales to other jurisdictions similar to existing Powerbase technology.

Expected Benefits:

The successful implementation of this technology will ensure that small-scale AD systems will become financially and technically viable in the Ontario marketplace, allowing numerous, small dairy and crop-for fuels operations to participate.

Summary of Research Results:

During the research it became apparent that it is not economically feasible to monitor and correct all biological factors for small scale AD as detailed chemical analysis may be required before required changes could be undertaken.

Through embedded software algorithms, the Synergy heat and power system, developed by Powerbase, monitors all biological, electrical, mechanical and thermal parameters of the entire electricity and heat generation process that can be managed without detailed chemical analysis of material in the digester.

The Powerbase Synergy System has been commissioned and is in operation at the Klaesi farm, near Cobden, Ontario. This is the first biogas-based heat and power system for small-scale applications designed and manufactured in Canada. The product design provides for cost-efficient factory assembly, delivery and installation.