ESTIMATION OF BIOGAS PRODUCTION USING A PROCESS SIMULATION MODEL

Abstract

The objective of this work is to simulate the anaerobic digestion process to estimate biogas production using the ASPEN PLUS software. The Process Simulation Model (MSP) develops the stages of anaerobic digestion using operational blocks, allowing the composition of any substrate and operating conditions. The PSM comprises a total of 46 chemical reactions developed separately according to stage and complexity. The hydrolysis was developed from reactions with stoichiometric base for fractions of conversion of reactants, while the acidogenesis, the acetogenesis and the methanogenesis were established from a submodel that determines the reactions kinetics. The simulation was validated with an experimental value of biogas production and an analytical model to verify its behavior over time. A sensitivity analysis is developed for different substrate compositions obtaining the influence on biogas production and methane content.