IBC DIGESTER NOVICE QUESTIONS

Hi, I would like to take this oppertunity to thank Solar Cities for making all this info on making an IBC biogas digester open-source and free. My question is in regards to the IBC biogas container, 1)I would like to know how the bioslurry or waste/used content exits through the effluent pipe as this pipe is taller than the water/dung level and how does it raise above the level and exit the digester. 2) Second, does one need to use any kind of plunger or stick to push the cow dung/water mix into the input/feed pipe. 3) are you aware of anyone who has added a stirrer/motorised paddle for mixing the IBC contents, to prevent sedimentation and increase gas yield 4) can a coiled copper or plastic pipe be added to the bottom of the IBC asnd act as a heater by allowing hot water to be passed through it in order to warm the digester in the winter months. Sincerely,James

Forums: 

1) in and out could be on different heigth. Means that your inflow pipe is higher than the outflow. If youw fill in on one side it comes out on the other.
2) normaly not, or actually never seen a plunger at an IBC
3) not yet, let's ask TH
4) think that could work, we used pex coils inside, but let's see whats THs opinion

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1) I agree with Nick

2) I offen use a stick to push it in. If you have a stick with a ruber disk on one side, who fit exactly in the feeding pipe you can use it as a "piston".

3)Push this "piston" fast in and out than the hole water inside begins to move. So through this you also mix somehow the slurry.

4) Pex coils are fine. With copper I don't know how it reacts with sulfur etc.

I noticed a nice bung of lovely rich material in my outlet pipe the other day, this is the first time I have seen this, I haven't had any solids in the output as yet. Question, how do I remove the solids? both my digesters are still producing fertilizer after a year of use. Are the 'solids' at the top of the digester? or the bottom? or the middle for that matter?

In our digester we removed a "solid" swimming layer after 4years. It seems it was mainly the straw from the cow shit we used for starting the digester. And may me similar material from the feeding, who build this floating layer.

And of course there are also solids on the ground: Sand, earth, gravel, wooden parts, ...But this normally is very less and you can let it as homes for bacteria.

So normally in the middle there is the most liquid part and there for the outlet pipe has its hole in the middle.Maybe your outlet hole is to high, or to much floating material, so it reach down to the outflow.

Or just a coinsidence, but as long as it works!

Enjoy the biogas!

second Martins answer: Either the outlet hole is too high or you have feed to much float-able material.

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