Agent-based simulation for biogas power plant potential in Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis,Germany: a step towards better economy

Over the past decade, political framework in the energy sector all over the world has provoked a strong focus on the production of renewable energies. The study focuses on agent-based modelling approach to identify the suitable and economical distribution of biogas power plants over time in the area of interest. For sufficient supply of biomass (silage maize) on a regional basis to run biogas power plants economically and smoothly, different thematic layers with defined rules for Agent Analyst used to simulate the future installations of power plants. In conjunction with ArcGIS, the Agent Analyst software generates simulations that prove the robustness of the model in finding the suitable location of power plants. The resultant location from the model is analysed in different aspects. The designed methodology could be implemented in other areas with minor edits as per requirement of the area.     

Environmental impact assessment using rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) for Russeifa landfill, Jordan

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the solid waste landfill was prepared for the Russeifa area, northeast Jordan. As landfill was not subjected to sophisticated EIA, serious environmental problems are still occurring, such as groundwater contamination and air pollution. Three alternatives were proposed to rehabilitate the landfill: upgrading the existing landfill, construction of a biogas plant and its relocation. The EIA for the three options was carried out using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM), it applies a consistent and recordable assessment of the importance of the different components. The scoping components included in the RIAM were: physical/chemical, biological/ecological, social/cultural and economic/operational components. The RIAM analysis showed that the least negative impacts would be to relocate to a better-managed sanitary landfill. The most serious negative impacts were the contamination of groundwater, air pollution and public health. These impacts can be mitigated through a comprehensive environmental management plan for the Russeifa landfill to address the deterioration of environmental components in the vicinity of landfill.     

Enhancement of Biogas Generation by Addition of Lipase in the Co‐Digestion of Tannery Solid Wastes

Co‐digestion studies were carried out for biogas generation using fleshings as the primary substrate and a mixture of primary and secondary sludge generated during the treatment of tannery wastewater as the co‐substrate. Steapsin, a commercial grade lipase, was added to enhance the hydrolysis in anaerobic co‐digestion. The lipase dosages used were ranging between 0.25 and 1.0 g for a volatile solids input of 7.5 g. The performance of the co‐digestion was assessed from the volume of biogas generated. Experimental results revealed an optimum lipase dosage of about 0.75 g. At this dosage, the biogas generation was observed to increase by about 15% compared to that in the control without adding lipase. Further, the digestion with lipase addition was observed faster since the digestion period was reduced about 30%. This means that the capacity of the digester could also be reduced about 30% leading to savings in its installation cost.     

松辽盆地北部生物气成藏特征和资源潜力

对松辽盆地北部生物气形成的地质条件、成藏特征和有利分布区进行了深入研究,认为该盆地北部未熟一低熟源岩分布广,生物气主要分布在源岩有机质丰度高、类型好和泥岩厚度大的地区.松辽盆地北部浅层温度低、压力小、盐度低和NaHCO₃型水介质有利于生物气的生成.生物气成藏一般为低丰度、高产的小型气藏,平面上可能具有广泛的分布特征.综合地球化学、地质、录井和测井研究成果,确定了松辽盆地北部生物气的3个有利勘探区带：一是西部斜坡的萨尔图油层;二是古龙和长垣南部的黑帝庙油层;三是三肇凹陷和朝阳沟一长春岭地区的葡萄花油层.     

柴达木盆地三湖地区储盖组合有效性对生物气富集的控制作用

柴达木盆地东部三湖地区是生物气富集区。但是,已发现的生物气不仅在不同构造间的分布极不均匀,同一气田不同储盖组合(按天然气、地层水特征划分的生物气储集单元,相当于气藏)生物气的富集程度也有很大差别。为了揭示储盖组合有效性对生物气富集的控制作用,计算了已发现气田各储盖组合的排替压力差和相对散失量,并将它们与生物气储量、单储系数进行了对比分析。结果发现:排替压力差较大的储盖组合其生物气富集程度高,反之则富集程度低;相对散失量较大的储盖组合生物气富集程度低,反之富集程度高。排替压力差与相对散失量是表征储盖组合有效性的定量参数,它们与生物气富集的关系反映了储盖组合有效性对生物气富集的控制作用。     

Environmental Impact Assessment of High Pressure Water Scrubbing Biogas Upgrading Technology

The aim of this work was to assess the burdens of a process in terms of environmental and health impacts, resource depletion issues, and energy demand based on the ability of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology to link the environmental impacts with the mass and energy flows. The analysis was done in terms of process and environmental performances of high pressure water scrubbing (HPWS) system applied for biogas upgrading. The application of process simulation based on the Aspen Plus® software has been considered as supportive for the calculation of mass and energy balances. Data processed using GaBi 4: Software showed that global warming, acidification, and human toxicity potentials were the main impact categories associated with the HPWS process. These indicators are largely related to the exhaust gas from the desorption column and the indirect emissions generated during energy consumption. The life cycle inventory study resulted in the development of a database with a vast inventory of data regarding HPWS technology. A basis for assessing potential improvements in the environmental performance of the system is provided. Future studies in this area will address the economical evaluation of the HPWS technology, so as to maximize economic efficiency and minimize environmental impacts.