Santa Clara University, Forge Garden

Students: Tiffany Ta, Tiffany Vu, Harrison Wright

Advisor: Jes Kuczenski

The team investigated the best combination of organic matter to put into the biogas digester through water displacement. It was found that the best organic matter to use is a mixture of manure and grass clippings. The amount of methane produced in an anaerobic process generally is between 55%-70%. With this information, it was estimated about 30-40 kg of mixed organic matter is required for 30 minutes of cooking energy. Taking into account organic matter, water volume, and gas volume, the biodigester, in an unpressurized environment, should be about 150 gallons.