Abstract

SOSSA, Juan José  and  ALVAREZ, René. Mathematical modeling of the anaerobic digestion process under cold weather conditions using tubular digesters. RIIARn [online]. 2016, vol.3, n.1, pp.81-93. ISSN 2409-1618.

The main purpose of this research is to mathematically model and simulate mathematically the process of anaerobic digestion in cold weather conditions using tubular digesters, considering the variation of the air temperature, the hydrodynamic behavior of the digester, the reaction mechanism, stoichiometry and kinetics anaerobic digestion. In the proposed mathematical model the thermal behavior of the digester is taken into account through obtaining mathematical correlations relating time with air temperature and the temperature of the gaseous phase of the digester, in addition it is assumed thatthe temperature in the liquid phase remains constant. Furthermore, it is considered that the hydrodynamic behavior of the digester is represented by four CSTR reactors connected in series. Additionally the ADM1 model has been applied to represent the reaction mechanism, stoichiometry and kinetics of anaerobic digestion process. The mathematical model was calibrated and validated using experimental data collected during the work period. As a result, a set of kinetic parameters, was obtained as they could be used in subsequent applications of ADM1 for anaerobic digestion of cow manure. The simulation results show an acceptable degree of agreement with the experimental results and the differences are due to variations in the hydrodynamic behavior of the digester.

Keywords : Anaerobic digestion; cow manure; tubular digester; mathematical modeling.

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