Trial Production and Verification of Measurement Precision of Test Models of a Device to Measure Biogas Volume in Laboratory-Scale Methane Fermentation Experiments

Abstract

The authors made two test models for case of measurement of the volume of biogas produced by laboratory-scale methane fermentation experiments. Both models measure gas volume based on downward displacement of water, and confirm that the gas pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure by the water level indicated in the models. The measurement capacity of Model 1 is through to approximately 100 mL and that of Model 2 is through to approximately 450 mL.

The accuracy and precision of the test models were verified by injecting air into the models using a syringe. Test results for Model 1 were a difference of -3.0 to -4.3% and a standard deviation of 0.3 to 0.8% whereas for Model 2, the difference and standard deviation were -2.7 to -3.2% and 0.3 to 0.7% respectively.

The accuracy and precision of the test models will allow their application for comparison biogas production among laboratory-scale methane fermentation experimental cases.