Biomass Virtual Laboratory

This is the third in a series of 'Virtual Laboratories' - a set of multimedia simulations for distance learning students on the 'MSc Renewable Energy' programme for CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy) at Loughborough University. The objective of the labs is to provide an interactive simulation of the on-campus experiment so that students can participate 'virtually' in the lab and collect their own real data and graphs for to help them write up a report on the experiment.

Simulating the Anaerobic Digestion Experiment
This laboratory project requires the student to:

• become familiar with the tests used to monitor digester performance
• use this data to predict or judge treatability
• analyse and interpret a set of data from an experiment in which the operational performance of 2 up flow anaerobic filter digesters were compared under conditions of steady organic loading and fluctuating organic loading, respectively.

The software simulated the process of the experiment, so that the lab is 'set up' for the experiment and the two digesters are loaded with effluent. Then the experiment carries on over a period of 21 days. Each day the student has to answer questions on what they have learnt in order to carry on to the next day. At each period of 6 days the student is prompted to examine the data that is being recorded and to take notes in their 'electronic notebook' provided by the software.

Outcomes of the Lab
By the end of the laboratory practical session the student will:

• be familiar with the laboratory techniques used for monitoring an anaerobic digester
• have the necessary practical knowledge to enable you to interpret a set of data (taken from a fixed film anaerobic digester undergoing conditions of fluctuating organic loading)
• and prepare a laboratory report on the effects of fluctuating organic loading on the performance of an anaerobic digester

Screen shots
Day one of the lab
Each day more information is provided
Graphs of data being gathered
At any time a student can take notes

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Biomass Virtual Laboratory:
APPLICATION DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
ACADEMIC CONTENT PROVIDED BY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dr Paul Rowley