Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications
Tanks made of stainless steel
– Reactor (stage 1): approx. 20L
– Reactor (stage 2): approx. 70L
– Substrate tank: approx. 25L
– Digestate tank: approx. 25L
Pumps
– 3 peristaltic pumps: each max. 25L/h
– 2 metering pumps: each max. 2,1L/h
– Heating water pump: max. 480L/h
Stirring machines
– Substrate tank: max. 200min-1, Reactors: each max. 120min-1

Measuring ranges
– Methane content: 0…100%,
– Carbon dioxide content: 0…100%
– Flow rate (biogas): 0…30NL/h
– pH value: 2x 1…14
– Humidity: 0…100%
– Temperature (reactors and biogas): 3x 0…100°C

Specifications
1. Two-stage biogas plant (continuous or discontinuous operation possible)
2. 2 stirred tank reactors made of stainless steel with capacitive level sensors
3. Separate supply unit with substrate tank and feed pump
4. Control of temperature and pH value in the reactors
5. 2 metering pumps for acid and caustic
6. Heating water circuit with tank, heater, temperature controller and pump
7. Biogas is dried with silica gel
8. Biogas analysis: flow rate, methane content, carbon dioxide content, humidity and
temperature
9. Control of the experimental plant using a PLC, operated by touch screen
10. Optional Software for data acquisition via USB under Windows 7, 8.1, 10

‘Sci-Cal’ Computer Control Software & Interface

‘Sci-Cal’ software & hardware has been designed for use with more than 200 ‘Sci-tech’ trainers. ‘Sci-Cal’ comes in a module that can be fitted or mounted on the Sci-tech trainers very easily.

‘Sci-Cal’ box has 10 inches front HMI interactive panel, inside are i3 processor computer with it’s own hard drive & software processor with 16 to 32 analog and 16 to 32 digital signal data-loggers. The ‘Labview’ processes the input signal with in-built data and formulae to tabulate results for the Sci-tech trainers.

‘Sci-Cal’ box has HDMI output for connection to a projector or an electronic whiteboard or a monitor.

‘Sci-Cal’ box has input ports for inputs from the Sci-tech trainer sensors.

‘Sci-Cal’ eliminates requirement of external computer.

Specifications

• 10” HMI panel front
• HDMI output for connection to a projector or an electronic whiteboard or a monitor
• In-built i3 computer processor & hard drive
• 16 to 32 analog and 16 to 32 32 digital input signal data-loggers
• PID Computer Control + Data Acquisition + Data Management.
• Compatible with actual Windows operating systems. Graphic and intuitive simulation of the process in screen. Compatible with the industry standards.
• Registration and visualization of all process variables in an automatic and simultaneous way.
• Flexible, open and multi-control software, developed with actual windows graphic systems, acting simultaneously on all process parameters.
• Analog and digital PID control.
• Menu for PID and set point selection required in the whole work range.
• Management, processing, comparison and storage of data.
• Sampling velocity up to 250 KS/s (Kilo samples per second).
• Calibration system for the sensors involved in the process.
• It allows the registration of the alarms state and the graphic representation in real time.
• Comparative analysis of the obtained data, after the process and modification of the conditions during the process.
• Open software, allowing to the teacher to modify texts, instructions. Teacher’s and student’s passwords to facilitate the teacher’s control on the student, and allowing the access to different work levels.
• This unit allows the 30 students of the classroom to visualize simultaneously all results and manipulation of the unit, during the process, by using a projector or an electronic whiteboard.
• This module requires Control Interface Module and Data Acquisition.

Interface In-built Module:

This control interface is common for the ‘Sci-tech’ trainers and can work with one or several trainers.

The Control Interface is part of the SCADA system.

Control interface with process diagram on the front panel.

The unit control elements are permanently computer controlled.

• Simultaneous visualization in the computer of all parameters involved in the process.
• Calibration of all sensors involved in the process.
• Real time curves representation about system responses.
• All the actuators’ values can be changed at any time from the keyboard allowing the analysis about curves and responses of the whole process.
• Shield and filtered signals to avoid external interferences.
• Real time PID control with flexibility of modifications from the computer keyboard of the PID parameters, at any moment during the process.
• Real time PID control for parameters involved in the process simultaneously.
• Proportional control, integral control and derivative control, based on the real PID mathematical formula, by changing the values, at any time, of the three control constants (proportional, integral and derivative constants).
• Open control allowing modifications, at any moment and in real time, of parameters involved in the process simultaneously.
• Three safety levels, one mechanical in the unit, another electronic in the control interface and the third one in the control software.

Sci-calVaq^R: Sci-tech’s IoT based Virtual Data Acquisition system

Experiments:

• Achieving a stable operating state
• Influence of the following parameters on the biogas generation
  • temperature
  • substrate
  • volumetric loading
  • pH value
• Influence of the operation mode on the biogas yield
  • single stage or dual stage
  • with and without post-fermentation
  • continuous and discontinuous
• Determining the following parameters depending on the operating conditions
  • biogas yield
  • biogas flow rate
  • biogas quality