I upgraded my biogas scrubbers // Purify your biogas

I was worried my biogas scrubbers were not working properly or leaking my hard earned biogas so I decided to upgrade my system. I show you the process and show you all the parts I used to upgrade my biogas system so I know all the biogas I produce is now definitely all getting purified and into my gas storage bag.

[@NormalOtter]

Hi! How often do you have to change the filters?

[@philipgrobler7253]

6:10, you can use a thermal sun powered air heater to heat it during winter.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

For sure! Have thought about but not got round to it yet

[@mitchellquinn]

Greenhouse it! Polycarbonate corrugated roof sheeting should be cost effective to surround it and trap the warms from the sun inside. Ideally have some kind of thermal mass to balance out the highs and lows; water is good for this, but I'm not sure what kind of design would work best.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

I have definitely considered it, the issue though as I see it, is it the winter it will still need heating. If the greenhouse could be insulated then it might work but not sure if that is possible.

[@tobyaustin9638]

Insulate floor of greenhouse with any cheap foam matting, cover it with a black carpet, line around the inside of greenhouse with black painted brick. That should do it, no!?

[@aiyappamm840]

Thank you for the very informative video. Lot to learn ! How pure will the Methane be ? Also is there a way to compress it ? Thank you very much.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Methane will probably be around 80-90%. Yes it can be compressed. Once I get enough gas Ill do a video on that ☺️

[@aiyappamm840]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ Thank you very much. Looking forward to the compression video :)

[@HergerTheJoyous]

If the process makes the water more acidic, depending on how acidic, I wonder if you could activate carbon by soaking biochar in it?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Interesting. Not sure, how acidic it would go. Carbonic acid in "room temperature" water won't get very strong as it needs low temps to become high concentration.

[@Galv140577]

To heat it, why not use a compost heap? I know that composting consumes oxygen and produces heat, but is it enough?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Great point! I am thinking about how to set this up to ensure sufficient heat is generated. It definitely has promise.

[@maxpdaddy]

Hi, I apologise if this question has been asked before or mentioned in the video... i did look for it. Does the water need to be changed regularly ? does it not eventually saturate with the co2 or h2s?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Hi Mark, the water will eventually saturate with C02, it will also absorb some H2S. One way to monitor would be to use a pH meter, water saturated with C02 will become acidic. The time frame will depend on how much gas you are producing. Cheers

[@Hermit_of_the_Holler]

I really enjoy your videos. QUESTION: Besides blocking light to eliminate Algae, what other methods can you recommend in reducing the initial formation of CO2..?? Thank you

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

There is not much that can be done. Especially initially there will be CO2 producing bacteria dominating until the methanogenic ones get a hold. You could innoculate your digesate with digestate from another digester. Otherwise I can't think of much

[@tinyhouseonwheelsireland]

Have you thought of using a solar panel sitting on top connected to a 12v emersion element, that would give heat to the liquid when ever there is sun and not too expensive, you could run it from the load output of a charge controller so any sort of battery would do as you wont be running from the battery. I'm going to try that setup see does it make a difference. Where did you get the uniseals and what size pipe and seals are they? I'm in Ireland and it's impossible to get uniseals here. Great work by the way!

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Yes I have thought about it for sure. I think it is a good idea. I just haven't got the extra cash at to buy the materials. Hopefully I might be able to this summer. Uniseals are from this website: www.unisealshop.com/page.cfm?page=20&unisealid=313&kicker=Uniseals-U0312 The uniseals are for 25mm pipe, they have the pipe size/hole size on the website.

[@Hermit_of_the_Holler]

I purchased a 50-foot coil wort chiller on Amazon that has a 9-inch O.D. coil. ($85) It is attached to a evacuated tube hot water heater and 12vdc magnetically coupled pump specifically for hot liquid. ($16) There is no battery or power supply, but is directly connected to a 20w solar panel ($25) The concept was...if there is enough light to run the water pump...there is enough light to convert it to hot water. Worked well for the most part. I did later add a small relay driven inkbird thermocouple/controller ($12 Amazon) to ensure the evacuated collector met a minimum temp before allowing the pump to run. And now it produces ample gas throughout the winter in Zone 6B. Also, they banned polystyrene docks here and I got my hands on 8ea 4-ft x 8-ft x 8-inch panels for $100. Which let me make a over insulated box for the IBC tote cheaply. Purity of the gas is my main concern now. And am trying to mitigate the formation of CO2 etc... I built a 3-stage filtration unit, but would like to see what can be done about reducing it in the first place (as much as possible) mostly because I'm bored.

[@tinyhouseonwheelsireland]

@@Hermit_of_the_Holler That sounds great, any chance you could make video showing your setup?

[@Hermit_of_the_Holler]

I've been asked to do an adult workshop in about a months time. With a local homesteading group. I'm gathering a fresh set of duplicate parts now and we are going to build it as a class. My friend Manny who runs the group wanted one like mine, so he'll keep it after the class. I'll video/slide show it and upload it all if that helps

[@tinyhouseonwheelsireland]

@@Hermit_of_the_Holler That would be great, looking forward to looking at it

[@mars-cs4uk]

how often do these 3 filters need to change for your system size? thanks

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Depends on how often you are feeding, what you a feeding etc. I would check them every 6 months. I am trying to set up a monitoring system to be able to give more detailed information in the future.

[@larrymcdowell6920]

My personal feelings are that when you set up a scrubber, it needs to be bubbler, dryer, steel wool. If you run the steel wool first then it rusts out faster.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Check out my lastest video on the scrubbers, where I did what you suggested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/anm7mH6Kprlgopo

[@NateSchoolfield]

You could add chipped limestone to the water container, should react with the carbonic acid.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Yes, you could, for sure. If you used lime water you would see the carbonic acid drop out. Would be an easier way to check if it needs to be changed.

[@asvanduyn]

You still need to upgrade your CO2 scrubbing to purify more! You need to increase the contact time between the water and the BioGas! I suggest: Commercial water scrubbing you compress and then blast with high pressure water, a few bubbles in water isn't going to do it otherwise the big boys would do that. How about you 1. make four more water tanks with a ball valve connecting them so that you can flush the system with an inlet and outlet valve. 2. add a fifth with a mix of water and bleach just to finish things off (the Sodium Hypochlorite reaction is: NaClO + CO2 + H2O -> NaHCO3 + HClO) 3. add the cat litter canister 4. add the steel wool unit. 5. then get a hydrocarbon detector in there and compare it to before...

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Interesting stuff! I guess there is a balance between how much it can be improved and how much it costs to do so. Those three scrubbers cost £100. Adding four more tanks is not really possible cost wise. What do you think about using a bubbler, like those used to oxygenate fish tanks. Essentially a porous rock that the gas gets forced through, into a bleach solution rather than water. That should increase the surface area of the gas bubbles in contact with solution. What are the resultant compounds from the CO2 reaction with bleach?

[@jurorx]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ i wonder if using an aquarium air stone would help making the bubbles smaller and therefor create more contact area with the water. The only concern I have and I haven't found much info on this is how the H2S would affect the air stone.

[@dominicdanielafina1678]

Good day, what if I am only interested in removing H2S only?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

If you use just iron wool and don't remove the moisture first it will rust faster, so I'd suggest at least using the desiccator and the iron wool

[@comperejohnson5810]

Hello! Sr. Please tell me the names of production did you puted in each jar please?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

1) Water 2) Cat litter (desiccant) 3) Iron wool

[@dominicdanielafina1678]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ can steel wool still work?

[@JasonLockwood87]

How long does the Biogas last per day?? I dont have gas where I live and I rely on electric Hob. I have a ridiculous amount of garden waste which could be better used.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Hi Jason. What are you referring to? As in how long will the biogas last if you burn it? Garden waste also isn't the best feed for the digester. It is quite energy poor so would need to be supplemented with kitchen waste and/or more manure.

[@JasonLockwood87]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ yeah how long will it last if you burn it? I use my job for about 30 mins per day on average. I have chicken manure. Will that work?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

If you purify it then you can use it to cook off. You'd probably need a 1000ltr digester to be sure you don't run out. Would also depend on your climate. If you're somewhere warm then 100% possible, if you're temperate then would need a bit more planning / effort to maintain

[@JasonLockwood87]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ Thanks mate. I'm based in Wales so might be difficult in the winter unless I super insulate it. Perhaps I can just use for summer months.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

@@JasonLockwood87 Yeah it adds an extra complication. I'm investigating ways to do it at the moment that don't cost a fortune so aren't worth it.

[@sanjayakumar3695]

After how many days to change scrubber ect.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Depend on the amount of gas your are producing but I would recommend checking the materials at least every 6 months

[@hamzaafridi2009]

WHAT DO YOU USE TO PURIFY THE GAS, IN SCURBBER

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Watch this to find out more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anm7mH6Kprlgopo

[@johnmunge6996]

What is the component of the deiscater?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Cat litter

[@johnmunge6996]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ Thank you for replying and what is the percentage purity of the gas ?

[@NoToPCBS]

If you want to keep it warm put it inside your house. Store the gas outside. How much gas does it produce in 24 hours?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

I could but that would require an extra set of things to stop it from smelling in the house. Not sure anyone wants to keep something like that inside...

[@NoToPCBS]

@Get Me Off Grid You would need to feed the outflow pipe to the outside and feed the gas to an outside storage container. Then I guess it would be just a case of adding a screw on cap to the feed pipe

[@abiogaz]

Czy te słoiki były złe? Czy poprostu źle się zmieniało materiał filtrujacy? Stoję teraz przed zmianą mojego systemu filtracji i myślałem o słoikach pet na złączach z systemu nawadniającego.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

To be honest I have made these and now have thought of another easier system. Annoyingly these cost quite a lot of make, but I have seen others using water filteration units and just adapting them for gas. They are pretty cheap (~£15 per unit) and seem like they would be easier to change, you can see into them and they can be mounted on a wall easily.

[@abiogaz]

Widziałem takie rozwiązanie. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWjddJlnidWbeNU Też myślałem o takim, tylko 4 pojemniki, musze sobie zrobić zestawienie kosztowe ile wyjdzie za słoiki i złączki a ile za gotowe rozwiązanie

[@abiogaz]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ a ten balon z końca filmu który jest użyty jako magazym to piłka czy coś przeznaczonego do magazynowania gazu.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

@@abiogaz Yeah thats the kind of thing I was thinking of doing. Really nice.

[@abiogaz]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ tez tak myślę, a gdyby dodać do wody popiołu aby zmienić odczyn na zadadowy? Tak zrobię.

[@henrikkarl25]

Is it working ? Or is it just looking pretty

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Hopefully both now 😉

[@henrikkarl25]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ I was wondering if you added cow shit that had no beneficial bacteria left in it ? As in, you took cow shit that was already to old? Im going to make a 5L prototype at home to test it out.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

I think I did that the first time. This time I made sure it was all still warm when I picked it up. It should be good. Fingers crossed, should find out pretty soon. Where are you based?

[@henrikkarl25]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ sweet, cant wait to see your update! Im based in Denmark. Hopefully im gonna get me one that can work during the winter if the collapse gets severe enough.

[@henrikkarl25]

I just found this 10 year old video where he talks about some science behind it. It starts at 9:42 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXK9p2mDn7-sotE

[@dawudiya9049]

What is this whitish substance in a bottle

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Cat litter. Any desiccant will work, silica or activated charcoal for example.

[@eastsunenergy3133]

Like cat 💩

[@jurorx]

@@eastsunenergy3133 no not cat poop, the stuff you put in a container so that cat will poop and pee in it. It absorbs water and odor.

[@americanfreedom1777]

Hmm , ever given thought about using human waste to prevent dumping into systems ?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Yeah it is an option. I am just experimenting with getting a system that works and I understand fully. I human waste system would have to be a bit bigger, especially if it is associated with a family sized house.

[@gerryroberts458]

subtitles?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

I have just added English subtitles. Hopefully they work for you. Cheers

[@gerryroberts458]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ Thank you very much for your immediate response.👍

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

No worries. I'm trying to add them to all my videos but the ones with lots of talking take a while 🤣

[@abiogaz]

Dzień dobry

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

To you too

[@damyonhemsley7994]

What about burying it. Isn’t the earth a great thermal insulator

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

You can bury it, a lot of digesters build in India are built into the earth. The thing with these small ones is that I want to be able to drain it, so burying it adds extra complexity that I don't want.

[@sarathteja52]

Can we use human poop with kitchen waste to produce methane

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Awesome! Does it work well? Is there anything else you have to consider when using human waste?

[@sarathteja52]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ I haven't tried it at but willing to check. Can you help me on this

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

@@sarathteja52 Ah right, yes sorry. I mis-read your post. Yes we can use human waste but we need to be careful as there are some dangerous bacteria that can be present in human waste. I have not done it either so apart from what I have read and seen online I am not too sure about it

[@lunarrn]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ what is this mysterious dangerous bacteria?

[@lunarrn]

That's why all your bathrooms are ventilated. Your septic tanks are nothing more than bacterial digesters producing gases.

[@rakeshkumarsahu3002]

Hi

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Hi 👋

[@ps8432]

Adding metal parts when warned about corrosive effects seems a backwards step.

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

I take your point. But there is a balance between having parts that are easy to source and use and the corrosion. These parts are inexpensive and easy to replace, rather than non-metal ones that I couldn't find.

[@Shakati]

Irritation with music Need something else

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Cheers for the feedback

[@NoToPCBS]

If you want to keep it warm put it inside your house. Store the gas outside. How much gas does it produce in 24 hours?

[@GetMeOffGrid_]

Could do. Would require extra work to stop the smell though

[@NoToPCBS]

@@GetMeOffGrid_ You would need to feed the outflow pipe to the outside and feed the gas to an outside storage container. Then I guess it would be just a case of adding a screw on cap to the feed pipe