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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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production is carried on from the previous period, and no build up time is<br />

required. If the simulation period starts in the middle <strong>of</strong> the build up time, then<br />

the amount <strong>of</strong> biogas produced at the first timestep is calculated by multiplying<br />

Equation 6.14 by the number <strong>of</strong> days elapsed since the start <strong>of</strong> the fuel<br />

availability time period, and the amount produced at each subsequent time step<br />

is increased incrementally as before. This should not happen, however, as it is<br />

not realistic to model seasonal supplies over anything less than a full year.<br />

This process is carried out for each specific feedstock availability time period,<br />

and the amount <strong>of</strong> biogas produced from each period, for each timestep, is added<br />

together to determine the total biogas (Nm 3 ) output for each timestep.<br />

The amount <strong>of</strong> fertiliser made over the simulation period may be calculated<br />

using Equation 6.15, and this information is given, along with the overall<br />

electricity and heat use, with the final production rate graphs.<br />

Fertiliser Made (kg) = Feed – (Biogas x Density) (6.15)<br />

Where Feed = Total feedstock added to digester (kg)<br />

Biogas = Total biogas produced (Nm 3 )<br />

Density = Density <strong>of</strong> biogas (kg/Nm 3 )<br />

6.2.2 <strong>Energy</strong> Requirements<br />

The electricity requirements for the anaerobic digestion process can be split into<br />

two components. If energy is required for mixing the contents <strong>of</strong> the digester,<br />

this is required constantly, and is not a function <strong>of</strong> the amount <strong>of</strong> feedstock<br />

being input. This electricity requirement is, therefore, specified directly in kW,<br />

and is added directly to the timestep electricity demand. Electricity for fuel preprocessing<br />

and pumping will be required only at specific times during the day,<br />

before and during feedstock input. This is calculated using Equation 6.16, and<br />

added to the timestep electricity requirement if it falls within the specified<br />

operating times.<br />

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