Biogas, Biodiesel, and Wood Gasifiers

Okay. Hopefully someone here can help me answer a question (or two) that I have regarding this technology.

Recently, as anyone can see, I have been uploading a number of resources that I have compiled, with a LOT of help from @Witch Doctor 01, and others, as well as files I have been collecting myself, over time. I also have found similar files already uploaded here, so as not to duplicate the uploads, if possible.

Some of these resources are on topics regarding biogas, biodiesel, and wood gasifiers. Granted, I will admit that we have yet to try any of this technology. But, I can say that I have started collecting the parts necessary, to try a biogas digester or wood gasifier. Or, maybe even both...

Anyway, my main question is, why hasn't this technology, which has been around for a very long time, not taken off? One would think that everybody and his brother would have some of this tech in their backyard, by now.

Are people just too lazy to concern themselves with it, especially in First World countries? I mean, after all, it is a heck of a lot easier just to go to the petrol station and say, "Fill 'er up, Mac."

Or, is it something else entirely. I'm sure, unlike some "blue states", where they seem to even illegalize rainwater harvesting, this tech should be something to consider, no? With the cost of LPG, NG, and petrol and diesel in today's world, would it not seem logical to try other ways to power vehicles, generators, and even stove top burners?

Here in Cambodia, petrol is currently $1.00 / Liter, or $3.78 USD / gallon. I can only imagine, after the initial investment, how little it would cost to produce my own biogas.

Here is a video I just viewed, that helped me to follow through and create this topic:


The FEMA file he refers to in the video, is a resource uploaded on this site, and LOCATED HERE.

 

Many people in the US today have home biodigesters (bioreactor) and just don't know it.

Why


It's all in the name. Septic tanks are considered low tech....

 

There are commercial products to make bio-gas... Here are a couple of example types - expanding and fixed.





Most neighbors in an Urban area would
1) Freak out
2) call Code enforcement
or
3) Sue you for maintaining a nuance - esp if there were a leak (odor)

BTW Paul - auto gas here in Anchorage is at least as expensive as in your area....

 

I see, and agree with what you are saying. But, that still doesn't answer my question(s), as to why more people aren't producing their own gas. Or, are you saying they don't, due to the issues in dealing with neighbors and housing authorities in their areas? Burying them is an option, as well. Out of sight, out of mind...

I have to admit, living in SEA sure seems like a plus, sometimes, without all the crazy rules and regulations.

I would have thought it would cost considerably more, especially the farther you get from populated areas in AK?

 

Some more commercial products - this time, world wide


Backyard unit eats trash to make biofuel Israeli, of course)


Chinese - between 1 and 2K USD depending on the siting.


an Indian offering, different as it is just to treat effluent. NO biogas production intended.


unknown vendor, but this a nicely done 'Home sized' unit....


Much past these and you get into what I would call 'industrial' systems that require a lot of space and have dedicated, trained staff - even if part time.

 

@DKR, the last image isn't showing.

 

Even in ground, low temps for most of the year rules these out here for the most part. here/locally - NatGas is both cheap and plentiful - the house if already on the system.

If building new and you could engineer a BGR into the plan, it might be worth the extra cost and effort, esp if you lived in a rural US area that required purchase of propane. Even then - to secure a loan, you might have to have a propane 'backup' system for heat and cooking.

Banks are funny that way...

 

I have to admit, I didn't take cool weather into consideration, for part of the country, anyway. Here, we only have hot and dry, and hot and wet seasons.

 

From what I understand, and only going by what I have read / heard / understood at this point, by the time the gas is filtered and scrubbed, has little to no odor by the time it is exiting a stovetop burner.

No doubt!

 

Main problem is technology. My old 1941 9n ford tractor will run on wood gas, drip gas, with proper carb, kerosene, propane, gasoline, etc. It can be set up with a manual spark advance, it has low compression, it has an updraft carb, no cat converters to get contaminated, etc. Most modern engines have some form of fuel injection that meters the fuel and air for efficiency and to cut pollution, the fuel passages are very small, the ignition process can not be easily controlled, the compression levels are high, etc. In addition, if you wish to build and sell the conversions, the proper testing for the EPA, insurance against law suits. other governmental regulations, etc, make it almost impossible to do. If you get a 1940's ford tractor and use the materials on the internet based on WW2 systems, you can easily build a system that will work, can't tell you if it will be worth the trouble, but if you are going to try to use wood gas with a 2018 small car, good luck and may the force be with you as you are going to need all the help you can get.

 

In all honesty, the most I would ever wish to run off any sort of gas production, would be a small generator (or two) and stove top burners for meals. Probably, the latter more than the former, even.

 

LACSD Website - Joint Water Pollution Control Plant

The JWPCP is one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the world and is the largest of the Sanitation Districts' wastewater treatment plants. The facility provides both primary and secondary treatment for approximately 260 million gallons of wastewater per day (mgd), and has a total permitted capacity of 400 mgd. For a detailed description of the wastewater inlet and plant discharge characteristics, see Plant Performance.

Solids collected in Primary Treatment and Secondary Treatment are processed in anaerobic digestion tanks where bacteria break down organic material and produce methane gas. After digestion, the solids are dewatered at Solids Processing and hauled off-site to composting, land application, and landfill disposal. Methane gas generated in the anaerobic digestion process is used to produce power and digester heating steam in a Total Energy Facility that utilizes gas turbines and waste-heat recovery steam generators. The on-site generation of electricity permits the JWPCP to produce most of its electricity.