The study of energy performance of biogas from agricultural waste

Abstract

The article is devoted to determination of energy indicators of the alternative source of energy-biogas derived from agricultural waste. The main energy indicators of the burning process of biogas fuel are lower heat value, Wobbe index, ignition range, flame propagation rate, as well as amount of oxygen and air required for complete combustion of biogas. The energy indicators of biogas produced from corn silage, technical fat, pig manure, cattle manure and poultry droppings are determined during the study. It has been found out that biogas obtained from technical fat and poultry droppings is characterized by the highest energy indicators, and biogas from corn silage-by the lowest indicators. Wobbe index of biogas is more than 2 times lower than index of natural gas. The biogas produced from technical fat has the highest rate of flame propagation-23 cm/s, which is 1.5 times lower than the rate of flame of natural gas. Biogas has a wider ignition range than natural gas: The lower limit, the upper limit. The average value of the theoretic air volume required for complete combustion of biogas is 5.8 m3, which is 1.7 times less than the value for natural gas.