<![CDATA[Process simulation software has been widely used to predict anaerobic biodigester performance; however, validation against experimental data from domestic-scale concrete biodigesters remains limited. This study evaluated the accuracy of SuperPro Designer in predicting biogas production and composition in a domestic-scale, lay-down concrete biodigester equipped with a centrifugal-pump recirculation system. The biodigester, with a working volume of 170 L, was operated for 22 days at an ambient temperature of 27–32 °C using cow manure and water at a 1:3 ratio. Simulation using SuperPro Designer version 13.0 and literature-derived parameters under mesophilic conditions (37 °C) predicted 10.8765 m³/batch of biogas containing 59.81% methane, 31.66% CO₂, 4.59% H₂, and 22.34 ppm H₂S. Duplicate experiments yielded only 0.78366–0.88956 m³ of biogas, containing 71–73% methane, 25% CO₂, 1% H₂, and 8.2–9.4 ppm H₂S. The RMSE and relative RMSE were 10.04 m³ and 1,200.08%, respectively, indicating an overestimation exceeding twelvefold. This substantial deviation resulted primarily from differences in operating temperature, limitations in default kinetic parameters, and possible inconsistencies in simulation units and calculation bases. Therefore, SuperPro Designer cannot accurately predict biogas production in domestic-scale concrete biodigesters without extensive calibration using experimental data.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
