Performance Evaluation of Flow Digesters Design for Optimum Production of Biogas from the Decomposition of Glucose

In a quest to reduce the high reliance on the traditional non-renewable energy source (oil, coal and gas), which poses great environmental, social and human costs, this research is geared towards ensuring that energy of the future must be regenerative (renewable) and sustainable for global economic advancement. The research considered the performance evaluation of flow digesters design that is, the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and plug flow reactor (PFR) for optimum production of biogas from anaerobic decomposition of glucose. The design models were obtained from the application of the conservation law of mass and energy of the process. The developed performance models were simulated using MATLAB R2023a version at same initial feed rate of 166.752kg/day and operating conditions of the digesters. The performance evaluation of the CSTR and PFR was based on the yield of the biogas and energy efficiency of the process. At a conversion rate of 90%, the CSTR and PFR volume was 10.50m3 and 2.80m3 respectively while the quantity of heat generated per unit volume of the CSTR and PFR was 0.50 kK/m3 and 1.75 kK/m3 respectively. The performance evaluation of the design results showed that more yield of the biogas is produced in the CSTR as indicated by digester volume while the PFR showed a better performance characteristic in terms of energy efficiency and conservation as shown in the quantity of heat generated. The digester design technology is crucial for renewable energy production and sustainability.