Building a Home Biodigester

Introduction

• The process involves creating a biodigester using a barrel.
• Initial step involves drilling holes for various components.

Drilling Holes

• Lid Holes: Four required
  • Two inches for the inlet
  • 1.25 inches for the outlet
  • Two gas outlets, each half an inch
• Body Holes: Three required, each half an inch
  • One below the lid
  • One in the middle
  • One near the bottom (drainage hole)

Attaching Tank Connectors

• Use tank connectors with washers and plastic nuts.
• Inlet and Outlet:
  • Remove one washer and plastic nut.
  • Screw in the tank connector, keeping one washer underneath the lid.
  • Use two-part epoxy clay around the connector.
• Gas Outlets:
  • Directly screw on tank connector and plastic nut.

Sealing

• Apply silicone sealant around connectors to ensure watertight assembly.
• Epoxy clay helps secure connectors on curved surfaces.
• Repeat similar process for connectors on the barrel itself.

Making Blinds

• DIY Blind:
  • Use PVC socket, short pipe, and end cap.
  • Assemble using PVC glue.
  • Attach to tank connector.

Final Assembly of Blinds

• Use PTFE tape on connectors for a tight fit.
• Screw blinds onto tank connectors.

Connecting Pipes Inside Barrel

• Use correct size pipes corresponding to tank connector size.
• Pipe Lengths:
  • Inlet pipe: 80-90% inside barrel
  • Outlet pipe: 50-60% inside barrel
• Cut pipe ends at 45-degree angle.

Connecting Pipes Above Lid

• Pipe Levels:
  • Inlet highest
  • Gas outlet middle
  • Outlet lowest
• Inlet Construction:
  • Components: Funnel, ball valve, socket
• Outlet Construction:
  • Components: 90-degree elbows, pipe lengths

Gas Storage

• Use an old tire tube for gas storage.
• Modify tube by removing valve for inflation.
• Elevate gas outlet above slurry outlet using PVC pipe.
• Connect tubing to gas valve and tube.

Final Assembly

• Perform leakage tests to ensure system is watertight.
• Position gas bag above digester level.
• Place a canister under the slurry outlet.

Conclusion

• These steps outline the process of building a home biodigester using readily available materials.