1. Biowatts is an online platform that provides tools to support anaerobic digestion projects including a biogas calculator, kinetics analyzer, and biomass marketplace. 2. The biogas calculator allows users to model biomass configurations, view production results and return on investment. It relies on an existing substrate database. 3. The kinetics analyzer models biomethane production based on variables like retention time and temperature to guide optimal digester settings.

1. An Online Platform for Anaerobic
Digestion Projects
by
MEng. MSc. Joël MARANHAO - Founder & Director at Biowatts &
Dipl.-Ing.agr.univ. Dajana WIELAND - Co-Founder
Baden-Baden, Germany - March 7th 2012

2. biowatts.orgis already available in 7 languages
and more is coming up…

3. What is biowatts?
1. an anaerobic digestion calculator (biogas calculator)
- built with a business rule engine to allow the
implementation of complicated logic, such as the
remuneration schemes for each country (ROI);
- a database of substrates that users can extend;
2. a kinetics analyzer tounderstand the influence of the
hydraulic retention time and temperature on
biomethane production during digestion;
3. an online biomass marketplace where you can list
feedstock for sale or feedstock that you would like to
acquire.
… best of all, you can use all this services for FREE!

4. 1.1. Easy-to-use biogas calculator
• Create a FREE Account to save your projects
and results.
• Login, create a project and add substrates to
your configuration.
• The calculator relies on an existing database
of substrates from which you can choose. If
you don’t find a particular substrate you can
add it to the database.

5. Find and select asubstrate

6. Table view of abiomass configuration
with biomethane production results and ROI

7. Map view of the substrates
Biowatts calculates distances from your available feedstock to the biogas plant.

8. Charts view of a biomass configuration

9. 1.2. Easy-to-use biogas calculator
• Users can then exchange, discuss, compare
estimated results and practical on-site
measurement yields through the forum add-in.
• This public practical knowledge will continuously
grow and user will vote on the best information.
It is anticipated that best practices and on-site
thumb rules about substrates and how to
improve biogas yield will emerge.

10. 2. Kinetics Analyzer
To address more advanced requirements, Biowatts
implements a kinetics analyzer based on Y. R. Chen model
(1) and P. Harris Digicalc calculator (2). You can choose from
a shorter list of waste types (animal manure) and try
different settings for hydraulic retention time
(HRT), temperature (TºC), volatile solids concentration
(VSC) and the volume of substrate added daily to the
digester.
The analyzer produces a set of practical 3D biomethane
response surface plots that you can move around and
explore interactively to guide you in finding out best
settings for your installation.

11. Kinetics Analyzer

12. Biomethane production
f(VSC, HRT)

13. Biomethane production
f(TºC, HRT)

14. Max. specific growth rate

15. Kinetic parameter

16. 3.1. Online Biomass Marketplace
• Find the closest potential Buyers and Sellers
for your feedstock by taking away the biomass
market barriers and allow global mapping
(interactive map) of the available feedstock
and demand.

17. Marketplace welcome page

18. Map view of the marketplace listings
• Biowatts encourages
more trades of organic
waste and motivates
more biogas plant
prospects and site
investigation in the areas
wherefeedstock is
available.
• Today you can sell or give
away your feedstock
(providers) or advertise
for wanted feedstock
(buyers).

19. 3.2. Create a listing for your feedstock
• To create a listing, choose a
substrate from the database (or
add your own), indicate the price
per ton, the quantity available
and periodicity
(daily, weekly, monthly …), the
location and the transportation
details. The buyers and providers
can discuss the trading privately
through the platform and disclose
their respective contacts to
complete the deal.
• Soon we will also add the
possibility to trade digestates
(products of anaerobic digestion).

20. Partners

21. REFERENCES
• "Kinetics Analysis of Anaerobic Digestion of
Pig Manure ant its design Implications” Y.R.
Chen - Agricultural Waste 8 (1983) 65 81
• "Digicalc by Paul Harris - University of
Adelaide” http://biogas.wikispaces.com/