Keywords
Biomass energy, Methane, Waste products as fuel
Abstract
The economic feasibility and energy effectiveness of producing pipeline quality methane gas from biomass was assessed for a new and totally unproven process. The biomass feedstock considered was the common aquatic weed water hyacinth and a novel active boom-winch harvesting system is proposed for its collection. The conversion process analyzed is a two stage biological process which utilizes a leaching-bed for the production of volatile acids and a packed-bed for the production of methane gas. In order to determine the feasibility of the proposed process equipment requirements, capital costs and operating/maintenance costs were developed for three system sizes. This data was analyzed using a life cycle cost model to determine pay back period. The results indicate that payoff period will be less than equipment life and that net energy production occurs. Areas where further research would promote the introduction of this technology are identified and discussed.
Notes
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Graduation Date
1983
Advisor
Bishop, Patricia J.
Degree
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Engineering
Degree Program
Engineering
Format
Pages
132 p.
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
Identifier
DP0014008
STARS Citation
Hinton, Steven W., "The Technical and Economic Feasibility of Producing Methane from Biomass Using a Leaching-Bed/Packed-Bed Conversion Process" (1983). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 689.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd/689
Contributor (Linked data)
Bishop, Patricia J. [VIAF]
Bishop, Patricia J. [LC]
University of Central Florida. College of Engineering [VIAF]
Accessibility Status
Searchable text