Analysis of Heat Loss of a Biogas Anaerobic Digester in Weather Conditions in Poland

Currently in Poland, the construction of biogas plants as alternative energy sources is increasing. Often, the technical solutions for design and building of biogas plants are transferred to Poland from the countries in which these technologies are developed without taking into account the specific climatic conditions prevailing in Poland. It does occur that newly built biogas plants have a problem maintaining a sufficiently high temperature in the winter, which is caused by the insufficient insulation of the biogas anaerobic digester envelope. This paper presents an analysis of heat loss, depending on the climatic conditions prevailing in Poland and the working conditions of a biogas plant, based on an existing facility located in Ryboly (Poland). The work is supplemented with the results of tests using a thermal imaging camera. It should be noted that currently there are no requirements in the literature regarding the design of a thermal insulating layer in biogas installations in Poland.