INTERNAL USE - Case Study IASP IASP_345x345

INTERNAL USE - Case Study IASP IMG_2094_1

IASP: Powerful Weighing Technology for Greener Energy

Institute for Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects of Humboldt University Berlin, Germany

Introduction

Biogas is an environmentally friendly source of energy, which is already making a huge contribution to the energy transition. At the Institute for Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects of Humboldt University Berlin, scientific teams are researching how biogas plants can become even more sustainable in the future, for example, by increasingly using waste materials. The associated complex long-term tests require precise measurement technology. To perform level measurements in the experimental reactors, scientists rely on an integrated weighing technology measurement chain from HBK—from the PW12C single-point load cell through the PAD digital transducer electronics to the PanelX software.

Biogas is an important pillar of the energy transition. Unlike solar and wind turbine systems, the technology is independent of the weather or the time of day and can thus compensate for fluctuations in the grid in the future, for instance, when not enough energy is being generated from wind and sun. By 2018, electricity from biogas plants in Germany already accounted for around 13% of the electricity produced from renewable sources. However, one point of criticism was: specially grown energy maize has mainly been used in biogas production so far, which is expensive and inefficient.

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Challenge
Solution
Result
Client Description

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In the BioKat project, the scientists at the Institute for Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects of Humboldt University Berlin are researching how biogas plants can become more efficient, for instance by increasingly using waste materials for biogas production in the future. In the trials with four 25-liter experimental reactors each, the reactor filling level plays a very important role. For a new series of experiments, our scientists are looking for gravimetric level measurement technology that can:

accurately measure the level over the entire test period,
provide reliable data in the demanding process simulation environment, and
be operated quickly, safely, and in a user-friendly manner.

HBK's measurement technology experts, together with the scientists at the IASP, are developing a holistic measurement concept that is ideally tailored to the test setup. The following components are used:

With its C3 Multi-Range accuracy class, the PW12C load cell offers a precision unique to its design. Due to its integrated off-center load compensation, it is ideal for single-point applications involving large weighing platforms.
The PAD transducer electronics converts signals from HBK's strain gauge based load cells into high-resolution digital measurement data. Equipped with various filters, the PAD provides accurate data even in demanding measurement environments.
Due to the user-friendly PanelX software, the weighing electronics can be ideally set up for various measuring tasks, as well as used for recording, evaluating, adapting, and visualizing measured data.

Owing to its high accuracy, the PW12C load cell measures the experimental reactors’ filling levels gravimetrically with high precision over the test period. In a single-point configuration, a single load cell is enough for each reactor. Thanks to the PAD transducer electronics and matching accessories, the research team at the IASP can connect the load cell directly to a PC and easily configure the weighing technology measuring chain for testing. The extensive functions provided by the PanelX software allow users to quickly evaluate, analyze, and graphically display the measured data on the experimental reactors’ filling levels.

IASP

The Institute for Agricultural and Urban Environmental Projects at Humboldt University Berlin (IASP) supports small and medium-sized enterprises in the research and development of innovative technologies in the fields of food technology, biogenic raw materials, livestock farming, and plant systems.

As a scientific partner, the interdisciplinary team of 35 scientific and technical staff develops application-oriented solutions for problems encountered in the field. Biogas research is a special focus of the IASP. With research projects such as BioKat, the IASP makes an important contribution to implementing more sustainable and efficient biogas technologies.

More about IASP

Further Information

"With our BioKat research project, we are investigating how fungal enzyme components in biogas plants can quickly and easily decompose even substances that are difficult to decompose," says Marius Conrady, who is responsible for the research project as a research associate at the IASP (IASP – Institut für Agrar- und Stadtökologische Projekte).

"Residual and waste materials can thus be better utilized in biogas production in the future," adds project manager Dr.-Ing. Patrice Ramm. The series of tests stretching over several months requires highly reliable measurement technology that provides precise data over the entire test period. HBK supports the research team with a comprehensive package of high-quality weighing technology, with the precise PW12C single-point load cell at the heart of it.

Four inconspicuous black cylinders form the core of the BioKat research project. "In our four experimental reactors, we are investigating how different enzyme preparations accelerate the fermentation of our test substrate from whole-crop silage," explains Marius Conrady. "For this purpose, we supply our experimental reactors with 176 grams each of whole-crop silage and water every day after a start-up phase.” An agitator stirs the mass continuously, while a temperature-controlled bath ensures a constant 38 degrees Celsius in the reactors to ensure identical conditions throughout the project duration.

The filling level of the reactors, each with a total capacity of 25 liters, plays a special role in the tests. It has a huge impact on the formation of gas and other important factors such as the torque of the agitators that move the mass in the reactors, as well as the volumetric load. "In previous test series, we could only assess the level via the reactors’ inspection windows," says Marius Conrady. "This was a problem because the mass consisting of whole-crop silage and water is very inhomogeneous and has a high dry matter content. Moreover, foam often forms in the reactor.” For a new series of tests, the scientists are therefore looking for a solution that allows additionally determining the filling level using gravimetric measuring technology. HBK's experts advise the IASP, and together with the scientists they are developing a holistic gravimetric weighing concept ranging from sensor technology to software-based electronic evaluation.

“Our PW12C single-point load cell with a capacity of 50 kilograms is at the heart of the weighing concept for the IASP," says Marcel Richter, Head of Product Management Weighing Technology & OEM Sensors at HBK. "With its integrated off-center load compensation, the load cell is ideal for single-point applications with platform sizes up to 800 mm x 800 mm. In the IASP test setup, a single load cell carries the weight of a complete experimental reactor - offering an overall performance for this design that is unique in the market.”

The PW12C single-point load cell weighs loads ranging from 50 to 750 kilograms precisely in compliance with the C3 Multi-Range accuracy class. In addition, a cable shield connected to the measuring body provides optimum protection against electromagnetic influences, making it ideal for use in laboratory environments. "Its high rigidity and proven strain-gauge technology from HBK make the PW12C ideal for both static and highly dynamic applications; for example, in checkweighers," says Marcel Richter. "At the same time, the load cell is extremely robust.”

The PW12C is also suitable for use in harsh industrial environments due to its IP67 degree of protection and individually adjustable overload protection.

"In our BioKat research project, the PAD digital transducer electronics converts the analog signals of the load cell into digital data at a high resolution," says Marius Conrady. "In this way, we can simply record the measurement results for our test setup using a PC, evaluate them and get a quick overview.” With its load cell, electronics, and complete range of accessories, HBK offers scientists at the IASP everything they need from a single source. "We offer a wide range of accessories to build up an ideal measurement chain for our customers," says Marcel Richter. "And our PAD digital transducer electronics provides users with a simple and user-friendly way to digitize analog, strain gauge based load cells or sensors—at extremely high resolution.”

The PAD can be easily connected to load cells by plug and play and is ready for use within minutes. Owing to integrated measurement signal processing with selectable or automatic filters, the transducer electronics guarantees maximum precision, even with the continuous vibration of the experimental reactor’s agitators in the IASP test setup. Its compact, stainless-steel housing and IP68/IP69K degree of protection also make the transducer electronics ideal for the most demanding environmental conditions.

The scientists at the IASP also rely on HBK for software. "We use HBK's PanelX software for calibrating the load cell and for recording, outputting, and visualizing the measured data," emphasizes Marius Conrady. "The intuitive operation of PanelX enabled us to quickly adjust the measurement technology to our test setup and put it into operation. In addition, the software provides us with an easy way to quickly visualize and evaluate our measurement results.”

The PanelX software boasts numerous functions that make HBK measurement technology ideal for a wide range of static and dynamic weighing applications. Users can, for example, rely on extensive software support during the start-up and calibration of weighing technology equipment and benefit from the fast evaluation and visualization of measured data. The integrated frequency analysis is a highlight when evaluating and optimizing complete dynamic applications for instance.

"Due to HBK's precise measurement technology, our current series of experiments allows us to exactly monitor the daily addition of whole-crop silage and water and to compare it with the target quantity," explains Marius Conrady. "This enables us to optimize our processes and, for example, avoid inaccuracies in the daily addition of biomass.”

In addition, scientists can determine the weight loss in the reactors due to the decomposition process more precisely and correlate it with the formation of gas. "In our tests, we measure the formation of gas with a volume flow meter. The weight loss curves and the amount of gas produced correlate very well with each other," says Marius Conrady.

Testimonial

By comparing the results of both measurements, we can quickly identify measurement errors and suitably adjust the results of our study. Thanks to HBK's precise measurement chain, we thus have an absolutely reliable database with which we can improve biogas technology in the future.

Marius Conrady (research associate at the IASP)

Technology Used

Load Cells

HBK weighing technology is synonymous with precision, safety, dependability, and quality. The brand stands for innovative capacity as well as flexible and cost-effective solutions that meet virtually any customer requirement. We are also committed to the promotion and advancement of hygiene in relevant industries. Our load cells have set the standard for decades. Whether it is analog or digital load cells, single point load cells or bending beam load cells – it’s your choice! In addition, we offer the right weighing electronics and matching accessories for your application.

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