Biogas Foot Pump Compressor Project
Biogas Compressor Project
Dave Baron
Jessica Leginski
Alisyn Malek
Tim Murphy
Adam Smith
ME450, Winter ’08
Professor Skerlos, Section 6, Project 29
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125
15 April 2008
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Biogas is becoming an increasingly important source of energy for rural areas in developing countries, as can be seen by the increased construction of biodigesters. Biogas has become an important fuel source because it is driven by readily available biomass. Because of this, there is a need to increase the versatility and availability of this natural fuel source to accommodate increased use. This biogas is produced by biodigesters that are currently in place. At the moment there is no system available to store the gas that these digesters produce, so all the gas that is created must be used at the same rate that it is produced. If the gas is not used at this rate the system vents the excess gas into the atmosphere, adding more harmful greenhouse gases and wasting fuel. Currently, to utilize the biogas, any system must be directly attached to the biodigester. The University of Michigan BLUELab is currently building a small-scale biodigester for testing optimal biogas production parameters and measuring gases produced. They have asked us to design and prototype a system to compress this gas, essentially making a traditionally stationary energy source portable. Although we will be working closely with the BLUELab, John Deere has offered to financially sponsor our project. As the project requirements were initially given to us by the BLUELab, and because the system we design will directly interact with their biodigester, the BLUELab biodigester team will still serve as a primary contact group.
The system that has been requested has many limitations due to the nature and environment of the location of implementation. Our design must use off-grid power because in many developing countries electricity is not
Dave Baron
Jessica Leginski
Alisyn Malek
Tim Murphy
Adam Smith
ME450, Winter ’08
Professor Skerlos, Section 6, Project 29
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125
15 April 2008
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Biogas is becoming an increasingly important source of energy for rural areas in developing countries, as can be seen by the increased construction of biodigesters. Biogas has become an important fuel source because it is driven by readily available biomass. Because of this, there is a need to increase the versatility and availability of this natural fuel source to accommodate increased use. This biogas is produced by biodigesters that are currently in place. At the moment there is no system available to store the gas that these digesters produce, so all the gas that is created must be used at the same rate that it is produced. If the gas is not used at this rate the system vents the excess gas into the atmosphere, adding more harmful greenhouse gases and wasting fuel. Currently, to utilize the biogas, any system must be directly attached to the biodigester. The University of Michigan BLUELab is currently building a small-scale biodigester for testing optimal biogas production parameters and measuring gases produced. They have asked us to design and prototype a system to compress this gas, essentially making a traditionally stationary energy source portable. Although we will be working closely with the BLUELab, John Deere has offered to financially sponsor our project. As the project requirements were initially given to us by the BLUELab, and because the system we design will directly interact with their biodigester, the BLUELab biodigester team will still serve as a primary contact group.
The system that has been requested has many limitations due to the nature and environment of the location of implementation. Our design must use off-grid power because in many developing countries electricity is not