Formation and Evaluation of Lahar/HDPE Hybrid Composite as a Structural Material for Household Biogas Digester

Authors: Lady Marianne E. Polinga, Candy C. Mercado, Camilo A. Polinga

Abstract:

This study was an investigation on the suitability of Lahar/HDPE composite as a primary material for low-cost smallscale biogas digesters. While sources of raw materials for biogas are abundant in the Philippines, cost of the technology has made the widespread utilization of this resource an indefinite proposition. Aside from capital economics, another problem arises with space requirements of current digester designs. These problems may be simultaneously addressed by fabricating digesters on a smaller, household scale to reach a wider market, and to use materials that may accommodate optimization of overall design and fabrication cost without sacrificing operational efficiency. This study involved actual fabrication of the Lahar/HDPE composite at varying composition and geometry, subsequent mechanical and thermal characterization, and implementation of Statistical Analysis to find intrinsic relationships between variables. From the results, Lahar/HDPE composite was found to be feasible for use as digester material from both mechanical and economic standpoints. 

Keywords: Biogas digester, Composite, High density polyethylene, Lahar.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1086855

References:

[1] POLINGA,C.A. Optimization of Physical Parameters of Contained Rapid Composting System University of the Philippines, Los Baños. 2001.
[2] YEONG, HEE JOO. Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Wastes. 1981.
[3] POLINGA,C.A. et. al. How to Construct a DSAC Model Biogas Plant. Pamphlet Series on Appropriate Technologies. Cavite State University. 2003.
[4] CELZO. M.S.I. Study of the compressive strength and unit weight of specimens made from lahar sand and lahar sand-derived materials. University of the Philippines, Diliman. 1990.
[5] BASILIA. B. A., Hybrid Formation and Properties of Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.