#ESS2212: Algorithm development for linking biomethane production potential (BMP) to near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy analysis of feedstock

PhD Candidate: Seyedbehnam Hashemi

Goals and tasks: Biogas is a mixture of gases, mostly methane and carbon dioxide, which can be considered as alternative fuel. Biogas can be produced by serving different organic matters (i.e., known as feedstocks or substrate) including fish silage, manure, and food waste in the absence of oxygen (i.e. anaerobic digestion (AD)). One way of assessing the maximum biogas produced by a substrate is BMP test, a small-scale batch test; however, this is a very slow process and can take up to 40 days to evaluate the feedstock for biogas production. NIR spectrophotometer can virtualize the presence of different organic material as transmittance percentage in different wavelengths (i.e., generally between 1000 to 2500 nm). It might be possible to predict the biogas production potential of different feedstock by NIR spectroscopy analyses. The main objective of this summer project is to conduct laboratory analysis in other to develop a mathematical algorithm for predicting biomethane production potential of fish silage. We have laboratory that students can test and produce biogas. In this position, we will focus on the methods related to Freeze drying of substrate, BMP tests, NIR spectroscopy and mathematical modeling. Students can have a half-day trip to Biokraft biogas plant at Skogen. The following tasks can be part of summer project:

• Literature review
• Freeze dry of substrate
• Batch BMT tests
• NIR spectroscopy
• Mathematic modeling

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Desired skills and characteristics:

• Students at master and bachelor level within chemical engineering, biological engineering, process engineering or energy and environmental technology.
• Willing to work in the laboratory
• Interested in research and writing reports
• Solution-oriented
• Experience with conducting laboratory tests relative to anaerobic digestion process is considered as positive point

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Important info: Preferable for start-up in early June. Candidate should deliver a poster and a report at the end of the five weeks. For more information, you can contact me: seyedbehnam.hashemi@ntnu.no