Abstract:
Data from biogas plants are considered as unstructured data due to the complex and dynamic nature.
Thus, it is not possible to define common data structure for data generating from biogas plants. This
reason prevents online or inline synchronization of biogas data with the central database. In addition, due
to the scattered locations of the plants, it is not possible to use private communication media for data
synchronization. Also, use of existing complex fully automated systems with high technology is not
economically feasible. We introduce a software solution that is capable of overcoming aforementioned
drawbacks. Total system is a combination of data recording module and two data synchronizing modules.
The data recording module of the system is installed in a personal digital assistant (PDA) which is capable
of storing and locally customizing. After daily data recording, connecting the PDA to the first
synchronization module in computer will automatically update new data to a spread sheet in the local
machine and sends a copy of new data to central computer as an email. In the central computer the data
in the email are uploaded to a database using the second synchronization module. This process guarantied
continuous data flow of unstructured data to central database at low cost while providing farmer much
reliable data without additional effort. The proposed method has been implemented for synchronizing
biogas data of six plants with different data structures that located in considerably large geographically
area (Bryan, Germany).
