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Study on photothermal transmission and anaerobic digestion characteristics of reactor with folding plates by direct solar radiation

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Changyu
  • Zhao, Qing
  • Bian, Ji
  • Meng, Fanbin
  • Qi, Hanbing
  • Wu, Yangyang
  • Zhen, Feng
  • Wang, Yushi
  • Li, Dong
  • Yang, Erlong

Abstract

Biogas engineering represents one of the most effective methods for converting organic waste into energy, yet often encounters challenges in temperature maintenance and low fermentation efficiency. To address this bottleneck, this study innovatively integrates folding plates into the reactor. Through optimized flow channel design, the system achieves both temperature stabilization and enhanced photothermal efficiency while promoting coupled photothermal-anaerobic digestion processes. The coupled photothermal transmission and anaerobic digestion processes within the solar-irradiated reactor were numerically investigated. The results showed that when the angle of the folding plate is 45°, the gas output increased by 6.03 % compared with that when the angle was 30°. By creating gaps in opposite folded plates, particularly when the gaps were positioned at the lower side near both ends (Gd/Lv = 0.29 and 0.63), heat transfer was enhanced, promoting more efficient anaerobic digestion and thereby increasing biogas output.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Changyu & Zhao, Qing & Bian, Ji & Meng, Fanbin & Qi, Hanbing & Wu, Yangyang & Zhen, Feng & Wang, Yushi & Li, Dong & Yang, Erlong, 2026. "Study on photothermal transmission and anaerobic digestion characteristics of reactor with folding plates by direct solar radiation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PH).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:ph:s0960148125022700
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124606
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    References listed on IDEAS

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