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Method For Predicting Energy Output of Biogas Digester

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twanski

Civil/Environmental
Dec 19, 2014
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Hello:

I'm new here!

Here is the necessary background information--

Quote from Wikipedia:

"Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen required by aerobic micro-organisms to decompose the organic matter in a sample of water. Knowing the energy density of the material being used in the biodigester as well as the BOD for the liquid discharge allows for the calculation of the daily energy output from a biodigester."

BOD is fairly straightforward, from my understanding. The oxygen demand correlates with the amount of organic material in your water. Fine. Now, how does this, coupled with the energy density of your material, lead to a calculation of energy output?

I understand that we have a quasi-measurement of the amount of the material, as well as the energy concentration of the material, which would give me some quantifiable measure of energy but not a meaningful one, at least for me.

Can any of you shed some light on this for me. Thank you!
 
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