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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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produce in total (Nm 3 per tonne feedstock), and what dates it is available<br />

between. The required retention time, and either the percentage <strong>of</strong> methane in<br />

the biogas produced, or the lower heating value <strong>of</strong> the biogas (kJ/Nm 3 ) must<br />

also be given. Feedstock cannot be kept in store for times <strong>of</strong> low or no<br />

production, as it will degrade too quickly.<br />

For each feedstock availability time period specified, if the digester has been<br />

running with the same level <strong>of</strong> input, for that particular feedstock, for longer<br />

than the retention time, then the volume <strong>of</strong> biogas produced at a particular<br />

timestep may be calculated using Equation 6.13.<br />

Biogas Produced (Nm 3 ) = Biogas x Feed (6.13)<br />

24 x TS<br />

Where Biogas = Biogas produced (Nm 3 /tonne feedstock)<br />

Feed = Feedstock available (tonnes per day)<br />

TS = Number <strong>of</strong> timesteps per hour<br />

If it is the first timestep introducing the new feedstock, the amount <strong>of</strong> biogas<br />

produced is zero, and the amount <strong>of</strong> biogas produced at each subsequent<br />

timestep, until the retention time is reached, is equal to the previous timestep<br />

production value from that feedstock, plus the following incremental production<br />

increase,<br />

Production = Biogas x Feed (6.14)<br />

Increase (Nm 3 ) 24 x TS x 24 x TS x Retention<br />

Where Retention = Retention time (days).<br />

When the end <strong>of</strong> the specific feedstock availability time has been reached, the<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> biogas produced is decreased incrementally, at each timestep, by the<br />

same amount, until the retention time is reached.<br />

If the first day <strong>of</strong> feedstock availability is the first day <strong>of</strong> the year, or fuel<br />

availability has been specified as continuous, then it is assumed that full<br />

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