USER MANUAL BIODIGESTER S USE & MAINTENANCE www.sistema.bio 1
The correct and safe use of Sistema Biobolsa depends in large part on the use, caution and maintenance that you provide! A. Do not climb on, jump on, or run on the Biobolsa B. Do not handle animal manure without using appropriate safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection. C. If you have direct contact with animal manure, waste with soap and water immediately D. Do not inhale biogas directly under any circumstance E. Do not smoke or have any open flame or fireworks near the Biobolsa F. Do not pull on the tubes that enter or exit the Biobolsa G. No not permit unattended children to plan on or around the Biobolsa H. No not use the Biofertilizer (biol) as a foliar spray on lettuce, tomatoes, or any other fruit or vegetable that is to be harvested for consumption within two weeks. I. Wash all fruit and vegetables completely before consumption J. Do not work on or around Biobolsa with welding equipment, nails, or sharp objects without ensuring complete protection of the system. K. Do not use the biogas with the indicated biogas filter in good condition 2
Content Concepts 4 About Sistema Biobolsa 5 linitial Feeding 6 Daily Feeding 7 Mixing 9 Biogas Use 10 Changing the Biogas Filter 12 Long Term Maintenance 13 Protecting the system 14 Notes 15 3
Concepts What is a biodigester? A biodigester is a container that receives a daily input of farm waste, and within which the manure mixed with water will be fermented, producing methane-rich biogas, as well as a natural, potent and ecological fertilizer called boil. What is biogas? The biogas is a mixture of different gases produced by bacteria in an anaerobic environment, and can be used as a source of renewable energy. What is Biol? Biol is a liquid organic fertilizer produced from the decomposition of organic materials such as animal manure, plants, fruits and others in the absence of oxygen. It is a very fertile form of life, profitable from an ecological and economic standpoint. The nutrients it contains are easily absorbed by plants, making them more vigorous and resistant. Biol is produced through biodigesters (INIA, 2008). 7 12 2 3 4 11 10 4
About Sistema Biobolsa Sistema Biobolsa is a prefabricated, modular, flexible, high quality, tubular and continuous flow biodigester system, designed for small- and medium-sized settings. Components of Sistema Biobolsa. 1. Waste colection area 2. Waste receptor -mixing tank 3. PVC connections 4. Rector 5. Mix (water + manure) 6. Hydraulic seal 7. Biogas exit 8. Biol exit 9. Effluent capture and storage 10. Pressure relief valve 11. Ball Valve 12. Gas line 13. Biogas uses (see page 10) 14. Biodigester Protection (see page14 ) 6 8 9 5 5
linitial Feeding Once the system is installed and has enough water to create water seals, the system is ready for the first load of manure. In the warmer months, feed the system with the mixture of manure and water equivalent to 10 days of daily manure recommended for your size Biobolsa. In cooler months, feed the system with the mixture of manure and water equivalent to 5 days of daily manure recommended for your size Biobolsa Manure used in the initial feeding should be as fresh as possible and be free of other material. Recommendations for faster system start-up When feeding the digester for the first time, add up to half of the initial load with biol from a nearby working digester. Even adding a few buckets can help. Use cow fresh manure for the initial load Obtain paunch manure from a local abattoir for up to half the intital load Replace half of the water in the daily feedings for the first month with biol from the digester. 6
Daily Feeding Daily feeding is a mixture of manure and water. See your recommended feeding rates for your Biobolsa. The manure should be free of other material, especially glass, wires, or plastic Do not add manure from animals that have been given antibiotics or other medication within the past five days. Adjust the daily feeding rates to amounts that are easy to measure in buckets or wheelbarrow loads Proportion Rabbit, sheep & goats Proportion manure : water 1:5 = + Manure * Rabbit, sheep and goats manure must be moistened one day before. Water Bovine Proportions manure : water = Manure Water Model Manure Water Quantity unit Quantity unit Buckets=19L 7
Daily Feeding Use daily feedings to review the system, remove any trash or material that may have accumulated in the areas, and clean any screens or sedimentation tanks. Some manures should be left to mix with water for a day before adding to the system. Pre-treatment of the waste may be necessary for manure with lots of sand or other material. 8
Mixing Mixing has three purposes: 1. Circulate the bacteria in the digester to improve the productivity of the system 2. Ensure that a floating mat does form inside the digester 3. Ensure that material does not build up in the corners or bottom of the digester When should I mix the system? To protect the reactor and to have the best agitation results, ONLY agitate the system when it is not completely full of gas. We recommend you agitate the system for 30-60 seconds per day right before the daily feeding. It is better to agitate when the material is not very hot, such as in the morning. Where to mix the system? Add pressure to the system in the smooth area between the exit tubes and the corners and along the body of the digester. Avoid mixing at the corners or on any of the digester seams. How to Mix the system The system should be mixed from a variety of the eight points along the digester. The mixing can be done with your hands or feet, generating waves inside the digester, and breaking up any accumulated material. Confirm that you do not have any sharp objects in your shoes if you mix the system with your feet, and do not mix the system with sharp objects. 9
Biogas Use The use of biogas is in a biogas stove or burner, and can be used for cooking, heating water for bathing or productive uses such as preparing dairy products. Follow the instructions on your biogas appliance. Uso de biogás en cocina Uso de biogás en calentadores de agua 10
Notes on Biogas Use: Biogas Use The biogas has a low risk of explosion because it is kept under low pressure. It is lighter than air, and in the case of a leak the biogas will disperse in the air. Biobolsa is designed to hold a full day of gas production, which should be used daily. We also offer biogas storage bags to store more gas if the use is not daily. Stove and other LP Gas appliances cannot be connected directly to biogas because of the difference in the pressure of the gas. Please speak with your local technician, biogas appliance supplier or contact Biobolsa if you have any questions related to your biogas use Please speak with your local technician, biogas appliance supplier or contact Biobolsa if you have any questions related to your biogas use. www.sistemabiobolsa.com 11
Changing the Biogas Filter The filter is designed to reduce impurities in the biogas using a mixture of filter mediums. It is necessary to change the filter after two months or when impurities can be detected in the odor of the biogas To change the filter follow these steps: Put on gloves and eye protection. Avoid contact with the used filter material. 1 2 Close the valve on the gas line near the pressure relief valve. 3 Open the cartridge, spinning the cap. 4 Dump out the filter material into a metal bucket with a small amount of water. Dispose of the filter material in a compost or spread on agricultural land. Add the new filter material 12
Changing the Biogas Filter 5 6 Close the catridge tightly, ensuring that the threads are properly aligned, as shown in the drawing. Re-open the gas value and continue biogas use. Long Term Maintenance Purge the system and Remove Collected Solids Circulate the liquid from the exit of the digester back into the system with a pump to create mixing inside the system. Add fresh water to flush out the system once it is very well mixed. Use solids pumps to extract solids from the bottom of the reactor. The system can be completely emptied, cleaned and moved. Install the system per the installation manual and restart the process using the information in this manual. This may be needed if the system has collected a high concentration of solids, had not had enough water added, or if the system has been contaminated and must be re-started. Remove and replace the material in the reactor and begin again with a new initial load of manure. 13
Protecting the system Biobolsa can last many years in the direct sunlight if it protected properly. We recommend that you protect the system from animals, falling branches, neighborhood children or any other risk to the system. This can include a simple fence or roof to protect the system. Adding the system to a greenhouse can protect it and add more heat for increases efficiency. 14
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Contact: Mobile Uganda: +256 781 122429 Mobile Kenya: +254 727 369 018 kenya@sistema.bio www.sistema.bio Local technician: 16