Biogas & Pyrolysis Biofuel Training Course

The Biogas and Pyrolysis Module will provide a history of gasification and pyrolysis, and an overview of photosynthesis, the carbon cycle and biomass energy.  Students will study the biochemistry of anerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification and the qualities of methane.  Safety issues and OSHA compliance are also included in the curriculum. The varieties of biogas applications will be explored as well as common types of biogas plants.  The mechanics of gasification include how a system is designed and built, how gas cleanup is handled and how to select the appropriate feedstock.  The economics section will explore market opportunities and issues of scale.

This course will cover:

• Overview of photosynthesis and carbon cycle
• Anerobic digestion, biogas and methane
• Biochemistry of anerobic digestion
• History of anerobic digenstion and biogas digester
• Biogas applications
• Types of biogas plants
• Gas handling, scrubbing, storage and compression
• Design parameters
• Inoculation, start up and operation
• Feedstock energy contents and gas production rates
• Market opportunities and economic analysis
• Safety issues and OSHA compliance
• Demonstration of small digester

 Pyrolysis and Gasification

• Dry thermal biomass energy definitions
• Thermochemistry of combustion, pyrolysis and gasification
• Basic gasifier designs
• History of pyrolysis/gasification
• Gasifier applications
• Gas handling and clean-up
• Safety issues
• Feedstock parameters
• Market opportunities and economic opportunities
• Small business start-up
• Demonstration of GEK gasifier
• Pyrolysis module equipment to purchase
• Workshop wrap-up and discussion