SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM USING PARABOLIC COLLECTOR FOR THERMAL OPTIMUM CONDITIONS OF BIOGAS PRODUCTION IN WINTER

Abstract

Energy demand is growing rapidly due to the continuous population growth, high living standards, and fast economic development. Egypt mainly relies on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy. Using fossil fuels which emit high concentrations of greenhouse gases impacted our environment severely. Therefore, searching for renewable, abundant, clean, and feasible energy resource became a necessity. Biogas resulted from anaerobic digestion of organic wastes is considered one of the important renewable energy sources. The AD process is highly affected by various factors such as fermentation temperature, pH value, and C/N ratio. Fermentation temperature is one of the most important factors that affects biogas production. Biogas digesters operate under wide range of temperature (<25°C-70°C). In Egypt, temperature in winter is usually between 10 °C to 20 °C which is not suitable for biogas production. Thus, an external thermal energy source should be used to enhance the production.