Implementation of a Distributed Standard Anaerobic Digester Control System Based on Observations from Real World Failure Analysis

摘要

According to the EPA, the United States has more than 700 MW worth of untapped base-load power generation capability from anaerobic digesters. This represents the output of one large-scale coal fired power plant. As a renewable energy, anaerobic digesters promise base-load power generation for zero fuel cost. However, given the size of most dairy operations, each individual generating facility in the U.S. would generate approximately 100 kW, this power generation would be spread over more than 7000 individual digesters. Distributed power systems present a series of challenges from a reliability and large-scale adoption point of view. Advances in remote telemetry provide the opportunity to remotely monitor and operate digesters minimizing cost and maximizing power production. The research presented here describes a means and method for providing centralized, real time distributed control over multiple anaerobic digesters. This will allow the public utility companies to interact with one control entity for purposes of generator dispatch, while also removing the responsibility of day-to-day operation and control of the digester from the farmer. Using pilot plant data of a manure digester operated at Clarkson and operational full scale data from the NYSERDA GC/CHP integrated data system failure modes and the sensing requirements to address these events will be discussed.