Making Biogas More Accessible Using Data Analysis

Presenter

Jerry J. Su

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Steven D. Brewer, Department of Biology, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A52, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Biodigesters, systems that use bacteria to digest organic matter, are capable of serving multiple roles to reduce one's carbon footprint. They provide an alternative source of natural gas, they create an effective fertilizer for soil, and they directly reduce food waste that might have otherwise gone into a landfill. My inspiration for creating this project was my experience with the complexity and difficulty of running a home-scale biodigester. A biodigester requires a specific internal environment to produce natural gas effectively, and can slow or even shut down completely if this internal environment is disturbed. It’s not easy to keep this internal environment balanced, as a biodigester needs an airtight seal to function correctly, meaning the conditions on the inside can’t be easily observed or modified. I designed and constructed a device to track the conditions on the inside of a biodigester, analyze this data, and provide advance warning for potential issues with the biodigester. I used a consumer single-board computer, coupled with sensors for temperature, pH, and gas content. This device may increase the accessibility of home-scale biodigester for a wider user base.

Keywords

biodigester, sustainability, biofuel, natural gas, climate change

Research Area

Energy & Fuels

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