ANAEROBIC DIGESTER GAS FROM WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN THE GENERATION OF ENERGY BY FUEL CELL

摘要

The methane produced by anaerobic digestion in wastewater treatment is used to obtain electric power bymeans of a Fuel Cell of 200 kW. In addition to the electric generation, thermal energy is obtained as a byproductin the form of hot water which can be used in the heating of the mires, as well as a substantialreduction in the emission of CO_2 as compared to that obtained in electric power generation with aconventional motor, and a reduction in methane emission.The plant treats 30,200 m~3/d, generating 2,870 Nm~3/d with a percentage of methane of 56%. The Fuel Cellconsumes 104 kg/h of anaerobic gas and generates 200 kW and 950 MJ in the form of hot water at 60 ℃,which is used for the heating of the closed reactor to 37 ℃.A greater efficiency is obtained in the use of the energy in the purification process as well as obtainingelectric power and thermal energy, and the consumption of the equivalent energy in the biogas is avoided.