Processes and devices for the continuous production of biogas and humus compost from lignocellulosic substrates.

摘要

In a process and a plant installation for the fermentation of ligno-cellulosic vegetable matter for the prodn. of a fuel gas and an organic fertiliser. The vegetable matter is chopped and soaked in organic liq. rich in methane-producing bacteria in conditions conductive to anaerobic fermentation. The installation pref. comprises a horizontal, cylindrical fermentation vessel. The vegetable matter is fed in through a vertical hopper on to of one end of the vessel. The vegetable matter is lacerated by being fed down acorss cutters lining the hopper sides. Once inside the vessel, the fermenting material is advanced periodically towards the discharge end. Advantagement of material is by intermittent; axial reciprocation of a push bar. The bar has axially spaced, angularly offset spurs of 'rat-tail' (grenadier) profile, the bulbous end of each spur set towards the discharge end of the vessel. The discharge end of the vessel has a dip outlet for unfermented, fibrous material. The vessel also has a bottom outlet for fully fermented sludge for conversion to agricultural fertiliser. Gas from the fermentation is drawn off at the top of the vessel, through a grill and pref. into an inflatable easometer. Used in the prodn. of fuel gas and agricultural fertiliser. Smooth, gradual, regular advancement of fermenting material achieves highly efficient formentation.