Design and Cost Benefit Analysis of Biogas Plant using Human and Solid Wastes as a Load Shedding Backup

for Multi-storied Buildings

Muhammad Baqer Mollah
Dept of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, International Islamic University Chittagong Chittagong, Bangladesh
mbaqer123@gmail.com Abstract Bangladesh is a developing country which is facing acute electricity shortage and is one of the challenging issues to develop. Shortage of electric power generation causes a significant amount of load shedding. But there is a huge opportunity to backup the load shedding using human and solid waste to generate biogas. This paper presents a design and analysis of biogas plant using human and solid waste for load shedding backup. And the cost analysis tells that the system is economically feasible for our country. KeywordsBangladesh; Load shedding; Biogas plant; Electricity generation etc.

Bangladesh. The complete costs, payback period and feasibility have been described and analysed.

I. INTRODUCTION Energy is one of the main concerns for the rising future of any nation. Energy is the prime merchandise in the world in future and a huge amount of energy is extracted, distributed, converted and consumed in our global society daily. The global energy demand is continuously increasing. Todays global energy production is highly, in fact 83% [1]. Bangladesh wants for an enough electricity generation capacity and there are always a vast gap between demand and supply. Figure 1 presents power system master plan 1995 base case power demand forecast for the years 1995-2006 and the actual demand served and power load shedding finished the said years. The major part of power generations are from gas about 89.69%. Due to lack of gas the present plants can not generation its maximum capacity. At present the power demand in Bangladesh is about 5500MW whereas the generation ranges only 3200-4000MW. The generation capacity is 4300MW. But peak demand is estimated to exceed 6,000 MW [2] and [3]. As a result of power shortage causes too much load shading. In city area the load shedding causes a lot of troubles for city dwellers. The practices of biogas in urban area are not new in Bangladesh. In terms of climate condition and availability of raw materials, Bangladesh is in a favourable condition for biogas generations [4]. There are about 35,000 biogas based plants installed and 15,000 are functioning [5] in Bangladesh up to 2010 and these are cow dung based, poultry based, slid waste based, biomass gasifier based etc. This paper presents a design of a human and solid wastes based biogas plant in medium scale as a load shedding backup for multi-storied buildings especially for city areas in

Fig. 1.1: Power Demand and Supply Gap (1995-2006)

II. THEORY Biogas, a renewable energy source, is mainly composed of methane and others. Biogas originates from bacteria in the process of bio-degradation of organic material under anaerobic (without air) conditions. Methanogens (methane producing bacteria) are the last link in a chain of microorganisms which degrade organic material and return the decomposition products of the environments [6] and [7]. Methane is odourless gas and burns with a clear blue flame without smoke. It can be used as fuel for cooking, lighting, electricity generators etc. Using generators we can generate electricity from it. Other natural resources like oil, gas etc. are not limited and will be exhausting in course of time but the renewable energy sources are not limited. A. Components for Biogas Based Plant The required components for generation of gas [8] and electricity are: 1) Receiving Tank/ Inlet: The waste is 1st taken to the receiver and mix-up with water to make the favourable total solid (TS) value of the waste. The waste wait in the receiver tank for 4-5 days and then it is send to the digester. 2) Digester: Digester is the main part of a biogas plant. The process of gas generation called fermentation process occurs in the digester. The design of the digester should be such that no air can enter into the digester. The generated

gas in the digester gather in the upper part of the digester called gas collected chamber. 3) Outlet: Due to the pressure of gas in the gas collection chamber some of waste goes out from the digester every day. They exit through the outlet. 4) Gas Purification Unit: Bio-gas contains about 55-75% methane. It also contains moisture, hydrogen sulphide and some other impurities. These impurities affect the generator combustion process. The main purpose of the gas purification unit is to remove these impurities. 5) Gas Generators: Gas generators are internal combustion (IC) gas engines. They internally burn the biogas and convert the prospective energy of the biogas to mechanical rotation which next converted into electrical energy. The electrical energy is used to operate the electrical loads. B. Composition of Biogas The average composition [8] of biogas is shown in table 1 in percentage. As the amount of methane in percentage 5575%, biogas is well substitute of natural gas.
TABLE I AVERAGE COMPOSITIONS OF BIOGAS

buildings have fuel based generators for back-upping the load shedding which is more harmful and cost issue with respect to IPS. So, biogas from human and solid wastes can be a source of electricity generation. The generated electricity is not too large to supply throughout the day. It can supply electricity 3 to 4 hours in a day which is enough to backup the load shading. A general IPS systems block diagram [11] is given below.

AC Power

AC to DC
(Rectification)

Battery

Load

AC Power

DC to AC (Inverter)

Fig. 3.1: A General IPS Systems Block Diagram

Matter Methene, CH4 Carbon Dioxide, CO2 Carbon Monoxide, CO Nitrogen, N2 Hydrogen, H2 Hydrogen Sulphide, H2S Oxygen, O2

% 55-75 25-45 0-0.3 1-5 0-3 0.1-0.5 0.1-0.8

IV. CALCULATIONS OF WASTE, BIOGAS AND ELECTRICITY GENERATION This section describes the calculations of waste, biogas and electricity generations which help to analyse the feasibility and cost benefits. For calculations there some assumptions are essential. Here the following calculations are for two cases. All data are calculated manually. 1) Case 1: Five Storied Building: Let us consider a five storied building containing 19 flats named A. The numbers of people lives in A Building are shown in table 2.
TABLE II NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVES IN A BUILDING

C. Solid waste and Human Waste Solid waste, commonly known as refuse or garbage, is a waste type consisting of everyday items we consume and throw away. It mostly includes food wastes, yard and product packaging and other various wastes from residential, commercial, industrial sources etc [9]. Human waste is a kind of bio-waste [10] generally used to transfer to by products of digestion such as faces and urine. III. LOAD SHEDDING BACKUP BY IPS AND GENERATORS An Interruptible Power Supply (IPS) is a kind of electrical equipment that provides power to the electrical loads during not accessibility the main power sources. Now-a-days in Bangladesh the IPS system is very accepted as a backup of load shedding. It can supply electricity during load shade from its battery storage. Its capacity is also very limited and most of the case 200-300 VA. The average cost of IPS available at the market is about 20-25 thousands in taka. Moreover the lifetime of IPS is not more than 2 years and the used lead-acid batteries are dangerous for our environment. Another important problem is that the IPS itself is a capacitive load. Therefore it has no ability to generate electricity. If everyone starts using IPS system as a load shedding backup, the length of load shade must be enlarged. So, the usage of IPS systems as a load shedding backup cannot be a solution. Again some

Floor Ground Floor 1st Floor 2nd Floor 3rd Floor 4th Floor

No. of Flats 3 4 4 4 4 Total

No. of People 6+4+6 5+6+6+4 4+5+6+6 6+6+6+5 7+5+6+6

No. of People/ Flat 16 21 21 23 24 105

2) Case 2: Five Existing 5 Storied Building: Let us consider a five existing 5 storied building containing 83 flats named B. The people lives in adjacent five buildings are given in table 3.
TABLE III PEOPLE LIVE IN ADJACENT FIVE BUILDING

House Owner Mr. AB Mr. BC Mr. CD Mr. DE Mr. EF

Total No of Flat 19 19 10 20 15 Total

No. of People 105 95 75 113 80 468

A. Waste and Biogas Generation from Building A On an average each person along with each building gives 0.5 kg of waste per day. So the total waste = (0.5 105) kg At ordinary temperature (300C) biogas obtained from human waste 0.365 m3/ kg total solid (TS). Again TS value of Human Waste = 20% So, total biogas obtained from n numbers of people = (0.5 105 0.2 0.365) m3 = 3.8325 m3 From each cubic meter biogas we get 1.4 kilo Watt per hour electricity [12]. So, from n number of persons electricity obtained = (0.0365 n 1.4) kW/hr = (0.0511 n) kW/hr If we use electricity 3 hr/day then capacity of the system for electricity generation can be obtained by the following equation. Capacity = 0.0511 n kW; where n is the no of persons. 3 In this case the number of person, n = 105 So the capacity of generator = 0.0511 n = 1788 W; 3 For 3 hours (considering load-shedding for 3 hours in a day) B. Waste and Biogas Generation from Building B On an average each person gives 0.5 kg of waste per day. For 468 numbers of people then total waste= (0.5 468) kg = 234 kg. At ordinary temperature (300C) biogas obtained from human waste 0.365 m3 / kg TS (estimated). Again TS value of Human Waste = 20%. So, total biogas obtained from 468 numbers of peoples = (0.5 468 0.2 0.365) m3 = 17.082 m3 From each cubic meter biogas we get 1.4 kilo Watt per hour electricity [12]. So, from 468 numbers of persons electricity obtained = (17.082 1.4) kW/hr = 23.915 kW/hr 24 kW/hr If we use electricity 3 hr/day; The capacity of generator = (24 / 3) kW = 8 kW. So, each house we will get 1.6 kW for three hours per day.

10.5 kg solid equivalent = 100 10.5 kg = 131.25 kg 8 So, total influent required, Q = 131.25 kg. Working volume of digester = Vgs + Vf = Q HRT + 131.25 kg per day 40 days = 5.25 m3 From geometrical assumption, Vgs + Vf = 80% of V or, 5.25 = 0.8 V or, V = 6.5625m3
B. Digester Volume for Building B Let HRT = 40 days (for temperature 300C). We know from every layer 500gm manure is obtained per day. Total discharge = (468 0.5) kg = 234 kg TS of fresh discharge = (0.2 234) kg = 46.8 kg To make the TS value of 8% for favourable condition we have to mix some additional water with fresh discharge. The required water to be added can be calculated by the following way, 8 kg solid equivalent 100 kg of influent. 46.8 kg solid equivalent = 100 46.8 kg = 585 kg 8 So, total influent required, Q = 585 kg. Working volume of digester = Vgs + Vf = Q HRT + 585 kg per day 40 days = 23400 kg = 23.4 m3 From geometrical assumption, Vgs + Vf = 80% of V or, V = 29.25 m3 30 m3

VI. OVERVIEW OF THE PLANT The plant consists of different units and parts such as waste collector and container, biogas generator, purification unit, control section and generator. The waste is human waste and is collected from the building. The control section controls the whole system like automatic isolating and connection to main grid, generator on-off, estimating the energy supplying to per flats etc. The block diagram representation of the plant is given in figure 6.1.
Human Waste Biogas Generation Purification Unit

V. CALCULATION OF DIGESTER VOLUME The digester volume is important to design any biogas plant and the design of the digester must be perfect. In this section the calculations of digester volumes are shown for building A and B respectively.
A. Digester Volume for Building A Let HRT (Hydraulic Retention Time) = 40 days (for temperature 30oC) We know from every layer 0.5kg waste is obtained per day. Total discharge = (105 0.5) kg = 52.5 kg TS of fresh discharge = (0.2 52.5) kg = 10.5 kg To make the TS value of 8% for favourable condition we have to mix some additional water with fresh discharge. The required water to be added can be calculated by the following way 8 kg solid equivalent 100 kg of influent.

AC Loads in Building

Generator

Control Section

Grid Fig. 6.1: Block Diagram Representation of the plant

VII. SYSTEM FLOWCHART The flowchart is essential tool for understanding the whole systems control section. In the system when the grid power is available the generator is in off position. At the time of load shedding the grid power is not available, then the generator switch is started and the generator is start to run and backup the demand of the building. Again when the grid supply is available the generator is switched off and the grid connector switch is on. This flow chart in figure 7.1 is applicable in both two cases.

Start

= (2 recharge per day 3.283) CFT = (20.3125 3.283) CFT = 22.05 CFT So, the cost of hydraulic chamber and inlet recharge chamber = (22.05 110) taka = 2425 taka
3) The cost of purification unit The cost of purification unit = 5,000 taka

Yes

Is Power in Grid Available? No Generator Switch ON and Grid Switch OFF

4) Pipe lines and others Pipe lines and others = 10,000 taka 5) Generator Cost We have to buy a 2kW generator. Cost of 2kW generator = 30,000 taka The Total Cost of the Plant = (25,472 + 2,425 + 5,000 + 10,000 + 30,000) taka = 72,897 taka The generated maximum 2kW electricity can be distributed within three houses so that each house can use 600 watt electricity in average. So cost for each house = (72897 3) taka = 24299 taka. Table 4 represents the costs for building A.

Time Delay

No

Is Power in Grid Available?

Yes
Sl. 1. 2.

TABLE IV COST OF EVERY SECTION

Generator Switch ON and Grid Switch OFF

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Parameter Digester Hydraulic chamber and inlet recharge chamber Purification Unit Pipe line and others (Local markets) Generator Total Cost for each house

Amounts in Taka 25,472 2,425 5,000 10,000 30,000 72,897 24,299

Start
Fig. 7.1: The complete flowchart of the system

1 USD Dollar = 70 Taka (Approximately)

B. Installation Cost Calculation for Building B

VIII. COST ANALYSIS The cost analysis is heart of this paper as the systems feasibility is directly depends on the cost and raw materials. In this section the costs are estimated. All data are collected from local markets. As there are two buildings we have taken into consideration, the cost calculations also are two.
A. Installation Cost Calculation for Building A

1) Cost of Digester The cost of a 500 CFT Digester is about 55,000 taka The volume of our digester = 30 m = (30 3.28 ) CFT = 1058.6 CFT So, the cost of Digester = 55,000 1058.6 taka = 1, 16,448.92 500 taka
3 3

1) Cost of The Digester 2) Volume of hydraulic chamber and inlet recharge chamber The cost of a 500 CFT Digester is about 55,000 taka. The volume of digester = 6.5625 m3 = (6.5625 3.283) CFT = (2 recharge per day 3.283) CFT = (2 0.585 3.283) = 231.57 CFT. CFT = 41.28 CFT. So, the cost of hydraulic chamber and inlet recharge So, the cost of Digester = 55,000 231.57 taka = 25,472 taka. chamber 500 = (41.28 110) taka = 4540.8 taka 2) The Volume of hydraulic chamber and inlet recharge 3) Cost of purification unit = 10,000 taka. chamber

The Volume of hydraulic chamber and inlet recharge chamber

4) Pipe lines and others = 40,000 taka.

5) Generator Cost We have to buy one 5 kW generators and another 3 kW generator. Cost of 3KW generator = 40,000 taka and cost of 5 kW generator = 50,000 taka Total cost of Generators = (50,000 + 40,000) taka = 90,000 taka Total Cost of the Plant = (116,488.92 + 4540.8 + 10,000 + 40,000 + 90,000) taka = 261,029.72 taka Cost for each building = (2, 61,029 5) = 52205.9 taka. Again each building will get 1.6 kW electricity in average. It can be distributed within three families. Cost required per family = (52205.9 3) taka = 17, 401 taka. Table 5 represents the costs for building B.
TABLE V COST OF EVERY SECTION

There are some limitations and challenges also here like increasing potentials for production of odours, initial investment and long start up time to generation of biogas etc. X. CONCLUSION Bangladesh generates a large quantity of human and solid wastes which are a great opportunity to generate biogas and electricity. As the load shedding problem may not be removed in near future this is the best alternative source to generate electricity. This plan can be implemented in multi storied buildings. If the plan is taking into consideration during under construction of the building, there is a benefit for the owner. The production of biogas is used only during load shedding. The cost will be minimized considerably if we include more buildings under the project. REFERENCES
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [Online: June, 2011] International Energy Agency: www.iea.org/co2highlights/co2highlights.pdf [Online: June, 2011] http://www.skyscrapercity.com/archive/index.php/t-526445.html [Online: June, 2011] Annual report, Bangladesh Power Development Board; www.bpdb.gov.bd/download/Annual%20Report-10.pdf [Online: October: 2011] Biogas Technologies and Their Dissemination in Bangladesh by Dr M. Eusuf; http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/special/37767.html [Online: October: 2011] Country Paper Bangladesh; http://recap.apctt.org/Countries/PDF/Bangladsh_CountryReport.pdf [Online: October: 2011] Biogas Systems Overview - Annex Power; www.annexpower.com/biogas_overview.php [Online: October: 2011] biogas Digest, Volume 1: Biogas Basics; www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en-biogas-volume1.pdf [Online: October: 2011] Technical Study of Biogas Plants Installed in Bangladesh; www.idcol.org/Download/Final_Survey_Report_Bangladesh.pdf [Online: November: 2011]U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Municipal Solid Waste; http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/ [Online: November: 2011] Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_waste [Online: November: 2011] Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply [Online: October: 2011] Final Assessment Report: Landfill Biogas Recovery and Utilization; www.globalmethane.org/Data/AssessmentReportRibeiraoPreto.pdf [Online: October: 2011] Rahimafrooz IPS Ltd.; http://www.rahimafrooz.com/index.asp

Sl. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Parameter Digester Hydraulic chamber and inlet recharge chamber Purification Unit Pipe line and others (Local market) Generator Total Cost for each building Cost required per family

Amounts in Taka 116,448.92 4,540.8 10,000 40,000 90,000 261,029.72 52,205.9 17,401

C. Feasibility Analysis The generations of biogas is depends on raw materials. As here the raw materials are solid waste and human waste and these available in a building the system is feasible to generate gases from it. Again the cost of a 0.5 KVA IPS is about to 25,000 taka [13]. The cost of per unit electricity from diesel based generator is near to 40 taka. So, biogas from human waste and solid waste are the best alternative of IPS systems and normal fuel based generators for load shedding backup.

[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

IX. BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS There are some benefits in this system such as the initial installing cost is comparatively lesser than others, efficient usage of renewable energy, no selection of site of plants which is easily installed on the under ground floors of the buildings, environmental benefits etc.