Methane Digester
Proponents: Francisco Schlenker, Phillip Buelow
Construction and testing of small-scale microbial digester that produces usable methane gas.
Design
Various designs exist, some more complicated than others. Essentially is comprised of a sealed digesting vessel in which compost, manure and/or vegetable scraps combined with water and a microbial inoculation produce methane as a by product of microbial metabolism. The gas is then drawn off and burned. Difference in designs mainly revolve around how to accomplish this second step. Some employ a separate gas storage vessel, more simple designs collect the gas above the digesting slurry. Youtube video of a design that I think is sophisticated enough without being difficult for a preliminary effort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5e_2W71jMM
Commercial examples: http://www.pioneerplasticsenergy.co.za/pioneer-biogas-digesters , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UafRz3QeO8
Other examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLm8o5tlJpg , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ha50GP4a00
Materials
Based on the above design and others - two to three 55 gallon plastic drums; PVC Tubing, connectors, etc.; manure/vegetable scraps and microbes; and the tools necessary to assemble the system seem like the basic requirements. Refinements to the basic system seem not to require too many extra materials, maybe a little metal working and some creative sourcing.
Assembly
Seems simple enough if done carefully, also potentially fun. The time frame to get usable gas from what I understand is about two weeks after set up.
Testing
Initial objective to get combustible gas with a later focus on filtration and clean burning methane. Safety important here.