Patent ID: 7727396

Claim:
A method for operating an upflow anaerobic reactor for digesting biodegradable matter and collecting biogas produced therefrom, the method comprising: providing an upflow anaerobic reactor for anaerobically digesting biodegradable matter using a bacterial culture, the upflow anaerobic reactor comprising: a vessel having an upper portion of the vessel and a lower portion that define a volume of the vessel, an effluent outlet coupled to the upper portion of the vessel, wherein the effluent outlet includes a fluid-filled gas-trap having a fluid-air interface for preventing escape of biogas through the effluent outlet, an auger assembly operatively coupled to the effluent outlet and positioned at or through the fluid-air interface, an inlet coupled to the vessel for introducing biodegradable matter into the lower portion of the vessel, and a gas port coupled to the upper portion of the vessel for collecting biogas produced in the vessel, providing a bacterial culture comprising a sludge layer in the lower portion of the vessel for biodegradation of biodegradable material and production of biogas therefrom; operating the upflow anaerobic reactor so as to create an upflow in the vessel by introducing an influent including biodegradable material into the lower portion of the vessel via the inlet, and withdrawing an effluent from the upper portion of the vessel via the effluent outlet; and operating the auger assembly so as to disrupt solid material contained in the effluent that collects at the fluid-air interface.