An innovative bio-digester for biogas production and energetic enhancement in a little sized engine

In the Fortress of S. Apollinare di Marsciano, the Biomass Research Centre of the University of Perugia, in cooperation with the Foundation for Agricultural Education in Perugia, Italy, has developed a laboratory for biogas testing and treatments, equipped with systems for dehumidification, desulphurization and continuous monitoring, that are able to analyze the gases contained in biogas and the exhaust post-combustion gases in an engine. The Fortress, currently subjected to an overall intensive retrofit intervention, will be reorganized in order to host international training programs, specifically designed to take advantage from the available biomass sources of the pertinent area. The facilities will consist of classrooms, bedrooms, a food court and some pertinent amenity. Therefore, the Biomass Research Centre has developed a project for the treatment of civil waste, organic residues from the food court, pruning, herbaceous cuttings and agricultural residues harvested from the surrounding area. The innovative plant is composed of biocells modular digesters for the biogas production, and its enhancement in a 30 kW powered cogenerator engine for electricity and thermal production. The thermal production is mainly used to preserve the biological conditions in the digester and the surplus of thermal demand. The digested from biological anaerobic reactions is stabilized with aerobic treatments including fito-depuration to obtain clear water for non-potable end uses.The objective is to make energetically independent towns of very small dimensions, insulated from the national energetic grid (methane and electricity): the biomass that characterizes the place it origins, constitutes a potential energy.The plant realization will constitute an example of the feasibility of integrated systems of small size for energy production for residential utilities.