Composting Energy Methane Power

Flow Chart We will examine how our project works through the use of the flow chart, from bottom up.

Individual Choice What are we trying to accomplish? Finding a renewable and productive source of energy. Finding more ways to be self sustaining and use less power from the grid. Making something harmful to the environment, into something useful. Supply low income or low budget households with a unlimited valuable source of hot water.

Population Who will be using this project? In the USA This product would mostly market to rural area households where they would have enough property. People with crops or gardens that would like to use natural compost for fertilization. Large households that require more hot water than a regular water tank can hold. Outside the USA We could also market this product to rural households within other countries that are trying to find ways to live sustainably or self sufficiently. The Ciudad de Refugio in Rosarito, for example, is an orphanage just outside of Tijuana that has been growing into a self- sufficient shelter for children and teenaged boys and girls.

Population

House Our Project Design Our project will be the combination of a tankless water heater and a methane digester. The methane digester captures methane by combining water and compostable products in a tank. The water and waste will be mixed to make a slurry and as the products break down in the water, methane will bubble up to the top of the tank. The methane will then be captured into a hose and connected directly to the water heater.

Our Design

1.The hot water tap is turned on. 2.Water enters the heater. 3.The water flow sensor detects the water flow. 4.The computer automatically ignites the burner. 5.Water circulates through the heat exchanger. 6.The heat exchanger heats the water to the designated temperature. 7.When the tap is turned off the unit shuts down.

ExtractionConstructionTransportationOperationDemolition Life Cycle Costs

We will use recycled goods and repurposed materials for this project. These materials will be extracted from numerous sources such as junk yards. Extraction

Life Cycle Costs The tank itself will be built off site using the recycled materials and tools. After transportation it will be installed and set up for ready use. Construction

Life Cycle Costs After the basic construction the tank and all materials needed for installation will be transported to the site using a van or truck large enough to transport. Transportation

Life Cycle Costs In order to operate the system, the user will just fill the tank with all biodegradeable waste and turn the mixer. Then the methane will build and be burned off inside the water heater to make hot water. Any tank overflow, will be used for natural fertilizer. Operation

Life Cycle Costs Once there is no longer a use or need for the product, it can be uninstalled, drained of the slurry that can be stored to be used for fertilizer and the tank itself can be recycled. Demolition

Energy What is the energy source this product creates? Methane (CH4) is a fossil fuel converted into energy by burning. Methane is also a greenhouse gas and can be harmful to the environment if there is too much methane in the atmosphere. Compared to other fossil fuels, burning methane produces less carbon dioxide for each unit of heat released. Methane's heat of combustion is lower than any other fossil fuel but the ratio of the heat of combustion to the molecular mass shows that methane produces more heat per mass unit than other complex fossil fuels.

What are the consequences of making a product like this? Externalities Positive Consequences The tank uses waste that would otherwise be useless, and creates useful energy that would lower the power consumption for the whole household. The overflow from the tank can be used as a natural fertilizer that can be used to fertilize plants rather than using harmful chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Negative Consequences Takes more work to create and maintain the flow of energy. Must maintain the tank by emptying the overflow and making sure the water and compost mixture is mixed regularly. This is not a very practical product for a large percentage of the population, especially intercity populations.

Our Five Elements Let’s take a look at each of the five elements and see what roles they have to play in our project.

Air Capturing the methane cuts down on greenhouse effect in the atmosphere. Burning methane releases carbon dioxide and water which is less harmful to the atmosphere. Chemical insecticides or fertilizer production can also be harmful to the air. If you reduce electrical energy needs, air pollution caused by energy production will also be reduced.

Earth Capturing methane cuts down on greenhouse effect which affects soil. Composting and using overflow from tank is a good natural fertilizer. Less dependence on mining, drilling, and damming for power.

Fire The fire is ignited in the burner by electric current when the water tap is turned on. Fire from the burning of the methane heats the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger uses coils to transfer the heat from the fire to water as is flows through. The fire is the energy transformation from methane gas to the water. No standby heat loss that occurs with tank water heaters.

Metal Any metals used for constructing purposes will come from recycled metal. Construction does not require the use of large machinery and can all be constructed by manpower. The tankless water heater alone cuts down on the energy it takes to keep water heated, and using methane gas as the energy source cuts down on grid power which comes from the burning of coal and fossil fuels, or the use of huge hydro-turbines constructed from metal.

Water Water mixed with the compost can be used as natural fertilizer for plants. Cold water coils through the heat exchanger and the heat exchanger warms the water for use. Tankless heater only heats water when needed, rather than continually heating a tank of water. Never run out of hot water.

Conclusion Our Methane Digester creates usable energy. The design of our Methane Digester is self-sustaining and uses recyclable materials and waste, using less power from the grid. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas, which can be harmful to the environment, but burning it as power makes it into something useful. Our project can create a positive affect by supplying low income or low budget households with a unlimited valuable source of hot water.