Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
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Report
INDEX
Biogas (An introduction)
Why Biogas??
o Natural cycle
Biogas vs. Natural Gas
Raw Biogas
Biogas upgrading
Biogas composition
Biogas production
o Biogas digesters
o Investment saving
o Odour reduction
o Biogas scrubbing
Biogas compression and storage
Biogas sources
Advantages
Disadvantages
Biogas as Energy
Biogas fuels
o Fuel quality
Injection of biogas in the natural gas network
Transportation of biogas
Biogas usage in industry
Applications
Developments around the world
The final thing
References
Why Biogas??
India has 300 million cattle .Biogas technology may have the potential to
short-circuit the 'energy transition' as Leach (1987) describes the
transformation from biomass to 'modern' fuels.
Natural cycle
Biogas optimizes farm economy. The biogas plant is a sustainable system in which
all the components form a natural cycle. The biogas is used for energy emitting CO 2
and H2O, the minerals are going back into the soil and the organic waste will
improve the structure of the soil.
Raw biogas, however, has much lower strength than natural gas because its
methane content is lower than that of natural gas. Natural gas has between 90 to
99 % methane content where most raw biogas will have about 60 to 80% methane.
To make biogas compete with natural gas, the impurities (gases such as CO 2, H2S
etc) should be removed. CO2 removal is termed biogas upgrade while the removal
of H2S and other gases is often termed biogas cleaning.
Therefore, after undergoing some purification, biogas can be used just the same
way we use natural gas to produce heating and cooking at homes and offices .
Raw biogas
Upgraded biogas can be used as a standalone fuel. There are examples where it is
distributed at pumping stations next to the place of production like in Otelfingen,
Switzerland. In other cases it is collected and transported by trucks to pumping
stations usually in urban areas like in Stockholm. In other places the biogas is
transported over a special gas line to the city in link Oping, Sweden.
The predominant part of the biogas for fuel in Switzerland is upgraded and fed into
the natural gas grid. The fuelling at the pumping station is virtual, i.e. you usually
buy natural gas however, on a data base the provider keeps exactly track on how
much biogas is introduced and how much has been used at their pumping stations.
The data base which is controlled by a third party. In Switzerland, it is the state who
does the control because the biogas is tax free.
Biogas upgrading
Raw biogas produced from digestion is roughly 60% methane and 29% CO2 with
trace elements of H2S, and is not high quality enough to be used as fuel gas for
machinery. The corrosive nature of H2S alone is enough to destroy the internals of a
plant. The solution is the use of biogas upgrading or purification processes whereby
contaminants in the raw biogas stream are absorbed or scrubbed, leaving more
methane per unit volume of gas. There are four main methods of biogas upgrading,
these include water washing, pressure swing absorption, selexol absorption,
and amine gas treating. The most prevalent method is water washing where high
pressure gas flows into a column where the carbon dioxide and other trace
elements are scrubbed by cascading water running counter-flow to the gas. This
arrangement could deliver 98% methane with manufacturers guaranteeing
maximum 2% methane loss in the system. It takes roughly between 3-6% of the
total energy output in gas to run a biogas upgrading system.
Biogas Composition
The composition of biogas varies depending upon the origin of the anaerobic
digestion process. Landfill gas typically has methane concentrations around 50%.
Advanced waste treatment technologies can produce biogas with 5575%
methane, which for reactors with free liquids can be increased to 80-90% methane
Typical composition of biogas
Compound
Chemical
Methane
CH4
5075
Carbon dioxide
CO2
2550
Nitrogen
N2
010
Hydrogen
H2
01
Hydrogen sulphide
H2S
03
Oxygen
O2
00
using in-situ gas purification techniques. As-produced, biogas also contains water
vapor. The fractional volume of water vapor is a function of biogas temperature;
correction of measured gas volume for both water vapor content and thermal
expansion is easily done via a simple mathematic algorithm which yields the
standardized volume of dry biogas.
In some cases, biogas contains siloxanes. These siloxanes are formed from
the anaerobic decomposition of materials commonly found in soaps and detergents.
During combustion of biogas containing siloxanes, silicon is released and can
combine with free oxygen or various other elements in thecombustion gas. Deposits
are formed containing mostly silica (SiO2) or silicates (SixOy) and can also
contain calcium, sulfur, zinc, phosphorus. Such white mineral deposits accumulate
to a surface thickness of several millimeters and must be removed by chemical or
mechanical means.
Practical and cost-effective technologies to remove siloxanes and other biogas
contaminants are currently available.
Biogas Production
Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable
materials such as biomass, manure, sewage, municipal waste, green waste, plant
material, and crops. Biogas comprises primarily methane (CH4) and carbon
dioxide (CO2) and may have small amount of hydrogen sulphide(H 2S), moisture
and siloxanes.
Biogas is practically produced as landfill gas (LFG) or digested gas. A bio gas
plant is the name often given to an anaerobic digester that treats farm wastes or
energy crops. Bio gas can be produced using anaerobic digesters. These plants can
be fed with energy crops such as maize silage or biodegradable wastes including
sewage sludge and food waste. During the process, as an air-tight tank transforms
biomass waste into methane producing renewable energy that can be used for
heating, electricity, and many other operations that use any variation of an internal
combustion engine, such as GE Backbencher gas engines. There are two key
processes: Mesolithic and Thermophilic digestion. In experimental work
Related Terms:
Hydrolysis
The organic macromolecules break up into simpler elements - solid waste thus is liquefied and
hydrolyzed in small soluble molecules (e.g. the cellulose is transformed into soluble sugars
such as glucose or cellobiose.
Acidogenesis
This process transforms these simple molecules into acids of weak molecular weight such as
lactic acid and volatile fatty-acids from 2 to 5 carbon atoms. In parallel are produced lowweight molecular alcohol, such as bicarbonate ethanol and molecular hydrogen.
Acetogenesis
The products resulting from fermentation require an additional transformation before being
able to produce methane. It is here that intervene the acetogenes reducing bacteria and the
sulfato-reducing bacteria, producing hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
Methanogenesis
The ultimate phase during which two types of methanogenes bacteria take over: the first ones
(acetogenes) reduce methane acetate, CH4 and bicarbonate. The second ones, reduce methane
bicarbonate.
Biogas Digesters
Types of biogas digesters
Various types of biogas digesters have been developed including floating drum,
fixed dome, and plastic bag models. The most reliable design is that of the fixed
dome type, made of masonry and/or concrete, largely underground, and installed in
the yard of the family.
What are biogas digesters about?
A biogas digester takes animal waste and turns it into a useful fuel (methane) for
cooking, lighting, and heating. Biogas originates from the anaerobic digestion of
organic material. The daily operation of a biodigester mainly consists on feeding
the plant with a mixture of organic waste (dung) and water. Through the digestion
process, the waste not turned into biogas is sanitized through: predation by
anaerobic microbes; and the absence of oxygen. This sanitized waste effluent can
be used as an organic fertilizer when diluted .
Odor control
Pathogen reduction
Investments saving
New enterprises can have considerable investment savings due to the possibility to
avoid building new gas pipeline, electricity line, auxiliary generators and waste
storage facilities. Thanks to the short digestion period the volume of waste lagoons
can be reduced twice. Investment cost savings can reach about 30-40% from
biogas plant price.
Weed Seed Destruction We did a simple germination test of the digested manure to
test for presence of weed seeds and no weeds were detected. Seed germination of
samples run through the CARE digester, and results will be available in 2010
Greenhouse Gas Reductions Burning methane has resulted in a reduction in
greenhouse gases. In the first 10 operating months, it was estimated that the
equivalent of approximately 680 tons of carbon dioxide were mitigated.25
Emissions Anaerobic digestion, besides methane and carbon dioxide, also produces
small amounts of hydrogen sulfide (toxic to humans in certain situations26),
nitrogen, ammonia and other trace gases. After combustion, this results in
emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and small amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
particulate matter (PM). It should be noted that hydrogen sulfide would be emitted
without the digester, and that by burning the biogas, hydrogen sulfide is converted
into sulfur dioxide, which is less toxic to humans.
Odour Reduction
The reduction in odor from the digester is very noticeable. Near the pond where
the digested manure is stored, there is only a slight odor. Farms that injected the
digested manure on their fields several times in the spring of 2000. Neighbors have
not reported noticing a smell, where as when the Farms would apply raw manure
neighbors would notice the smell for several days, although no complaints were
made. .
Anaerobic digesters biologically treat manure and produce a stable effluent with
slightly different chemical characteristics than raw manure. In the process, a biogas
composed primarily of methane is produced, captured, and the gas is then
combusted in an engine, boiler or flare. Manure treatment reduces total oxygen
demand, odors and pathogens
Biogas Scrubbing
Need of scrubbing of biogas
As the biogas is the mixture of 65% methane (CH 4), 45% carbon dioxide, hydrogen
sulphide and small amounts of water vapors. Due to the presence of CO 2,
combustion properties of biogas reduce. Because CO 2 helps in combustion process.
From the above observation it is clear that C.V of scrubbed biogas that is pure
methane having highest calorific value as compare to petrol, diesel & L.P.G gas .
calorific value of rough biogas is very small.
Therefore it is very necessary to remove CO2 from biogas such a method is called of
scrubbing of biogas. After production of scrubbed biogas, it can be used as an
alternating fuel in place of petrol,diesel and L.P.G gas.
1.8 m3/h at 0.48 bar pressure and water in flow rate of 0.465m 3/h. It continuously
reduced CO2 from 30% at inlet to 2% at outlet by volume.
Dubey tried three water scrubbers having diameters 150 mm (height: 1.5 m), 100
mm (height: 10 m) and 75 mm (height: 10 m) to absorb CO 2 present (3741%) in
the biogas. He found that the CO2 absorption is influenced by the flow rates of gas
and water than different diameters of scrubbers.
The G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India developed
a 6 m high scrubbing tower, packed up to 2.5 m height with spherical plastic balls
of 25 mm diameter. The raw biogas compressed at 5.88 bar pressure was passed at
a flow rate of 2m3/h while water was circulating through the tower. A maximum of
87.6% of the CO2 present could be removed from the raw biogas.
Water scrubbing method is popular for CO 2 removal in sewage sludge based biogas
plants in Sweden, France and USA. The results show that 510% CO 2 remains in
biogas after scrubbing.
2. Chemical absorption
Chemical absorption involves formation of reversible chemical bonds between the
solute and the solvent. Regeneration of the solvent, therefore, involves breaking of
these bonds and correspondingly, a relatively high energy input. Chemical solvents
generally employ either aqueous solutions of amines, i.e. mono-, di- or triethanolamine or aqueous solution of alkaline salts, i.e. sodium, potassium and
calcium hydroxides.
Biswas reported that by bubbling biogas through 10% aqueous solution of monoethanolamine (MEA), the CO2 content of the biogas was reduced from 40 to 0.5
1.0% by volume. MEA solution can be completely regenerated by boiling for 5 min
and thus can be used again.
Savery suggested that the three agents NaOH, KOH and Ca(OH) 2 can be used in
chemical scrubbing of biogas. The absorption of CO 2 in alkaline solution is assisted
by agitation. The turbulence in the liquid aids to diffusion of the molecule in the
body of liquid and extends the contact time between the liquid and gas. Another
factor governing the rate of absorption is concentration of the solution. The rate of
absorption is most rapid with NaOH at normality's of 2.53.0.
The principle is that some components of the raw gas could be transported through
a thin membrane (<1 mm) while others are retained. The transportation of each
component is driven by the difference in partial pressure over the membrane and is
highly dependent on the permeability of the component in the membrane material.
For high methane purity, permeability must be high. Solid membrane constructed
from acetatecellulose polymer has permeability for CO 2 and H2S up to 20 and 60
times, respectively, higher than CH4. However, a pressure of 2540bar is required
for the process.
Wellinger and Lindberg described two basic systems of gas scrubbing with
membranes: a high pressure gas separation with gas phases on the both sides of
the membrane and a low pressure gas liquid absorption on separation where a
liquid absorbs the molecule diffusing through the membrane. The high pressure
gas separation membranes can last up to 3 years which is comparable to the life
time of membranes used for natural gas purificationwhich last typically 25
years.
Rautenbach et al. designed a pilot plant for the removal of CO 2 from biogas using
membrane separation technique. He reported that Monsanto and acetate cellulose
membranes are more permeable to CO2, O2 and H2S than CH4. The best separation
occurred at 25 C temperature and 5.50 bar pressure.
The gas flux across the membrane increases proportionally with the partial
pressure difference. Thus, higher the pressure difference, the smaller is the
membrane area required. However, maximum pressure which membrane can
Scrubbing of H2S
H2S is always present in biogas, although concentrations vary with the feedstock. It
has to be removed in order to avoid corrosion in compressors, gas storage tanks
and engines.
H2S is poisonous and corrosive as well as environmentally hazardous since it is
converted to sulphur dioxide by combustion. It also contaminates upgrading
process. H2S can be removed either in the digester, from the crude biogas or in
upgrading process.
The most commonly used H2S removal process can be classified into two general
categories namely:
(1) dry oxidation process and
(2) liquid phase oxidation process.
1. Dry oxidation process
It can be used for removal of H2S from gas streams by converting it either into
sulfur or oxides of sulfur. This process is used where the sulfur content of gas is
relatively low and high purities are required. Some of these methods are described
below.
2H2S+O2=2S+2H2O
This is a simple and low cost process. No special chemicals or equipments are
required. Depending on the temperature, the reaction time and place where the air
is added, the H2S concentration can be reduced by 95% to less than 50 ppm.
However, care should be taken to
avoid overdosing of air, as biogas in air is explosive in the range of 612%,
depending on the methane content.
1.2. Adsorption using iron oxide
H2S reacts with iron hydro-oxides or oxides to form iron sulfide. The biogas is
passed through iron oxide pellets, to remove H 2S. When the pellets are completely
covered with sulfur, these are removed from the tube for regeneration of sulfur. It is
a simple method but during regeneration a lot of heat is released. Also the dust
packing contains a toxic component and the method is sensitive to high water
content of biogas.
Wood chips covered with iron oxide have a somewhat larger surface to volume
ratio than plain steel. Roughly 20 g of H 2S can be bound per 100 g of iron oxide
chips. The application of wood chips is very popular particularly in USA. It is a low
cost product, however, particular care has to be taken that the temperature does
not rise too high while regenerating the iron filter.
H2S can be adsorbed on activated carbon. The sulfur containing carbon can then
either be replaced with fresh activated carbon or regenerated. It is a catalytic
reaction and carbon acts as a catalyst.
very costly.
Similar results have also been reported from Netherlands, UK, Australia, New
Zealand and USA. All these results indicate that biogas is one of the potential
substitutes for present day fuels including CNG, petrol, diesel and LPG.
Nema and Bhuchner stressed on value addition to biogas by scrubbing and
compressing, making it as good as the compressed natural gas (CNG). They
reported the economic feasibility of producing energy from solid wastes of Delhi
city. From 5000 tones wastes generated per day in Delhi, 100,000 Nm 3/day biogas
can be produced which is equivalent to 309.5 m 3 CNG worth US $ 70,000 per day.
Beside this, by adopting this technology 117 tones/day CO 2 gas can be prevented
from entering into the atmosphere.
Biogas sources :
Various techniques are being developed for the abstraction of biogas from these
sources.
Advantages:
Main Points :
When biogas is used, many advantages arise. In North America, utilization of biogas
would generate enough electricity to meet up to three percent of the continent's
electricity expenditure. In addition, biogas could potentially help reduce global
climate change. Normally, manure that is left to decompose releases two main
gases that cause global climate change: nitrogen dioxide and methane. Nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) warms the atmosphere 310 times more than carbon dioxide and
methane 21 times more than carbon dioxide. By converting cow manure into
methane biogas viaanaerobic digestion, the millions of cows in the United States
would be able to produce one hundred billion kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to
power millions of homes across the United States. In fact, one cow can produce
enough manure in one day to generate three kilowatt hours of electricity; only 2.4
kilowatt hours of electricity are needed to power a single one hundred watt light
bulb for one day. Furthermore, by converting cow manure into methane biogas
instead of letting it decompose, global warming gases could be reduced by ninetynine million metric tons or four percent. In Nepal biogas is being used as a reliable
source of rural energy.
Our Views:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Firstly, we would like to say that biogas is not a thing to throw away just like
that. Because, having it will remove the fear that the world will one day face
shortage crisis of natural gas. And Government will spend less for imported gas.
Secondly, biogas will encourage majority participation in the natural resources
trade, that is, there would no longer be a CARTEL comprising of few nations who
control the prices of natural gas, in a monopolistic manner.
Thirdly, biogas would remove this attitude of some nations in the world today,
who engage in the practice of using natural gas to sign agreements to assist the
other in time of war, and get a certain percentages of this resources as the benefit.
Fourthly, biogas will enable majority of communities in different countries, to
participate actively in the power sector, since these raw materials would be
extracted from these communities in various countries of the world. And thereby
encourage rapid development from the Rural Areas in various countries of the
world.
Fifth, biogas will encourage large production output, and less production cost,
due to the fact that we would no longer need to, for instance, go far to order for the
resources needed for production, and no TIME WASTAGE, but limited time, due to
the fact that everything would become within reach. Furthermore, INFLATION would
be completely reduced to the ground, since we would now have enough resources
to set a balance in prices of goods and production cost.
Sixth, biogas would bring about JOBs CREATION, and encourages new inventions
like chemical experiments, Agricultural development and methods of improving
large scale farming. Then, more industries would be created, and a new improved
living would be experienced by low income earners in the populace, and this would
reduce urban congestion in most countries.
Disadvantages:
1. The process is not very attractive economically (as compared to other biofuels)
on a large industrial scale.
2. It is very difficult to enhance the efficiency of biogas systems.
3. Biogas contains some gases as impurities, which are corrosive to the metal parts
of internal combustion engines.
4. Not feasible to locate at all the locations.
5. Biogas would encourage deflation of goods prices, due to many producers, and
surplus goods availability to the populace.
6. Biogas will bring about high corruption level, from the top to the lowest level in
the public.
7. Pollution would be on the increase all sound, air, and water pollution due to many
industrial waste materials in the society.
8. There would be FOOD SHORTAGE, in the countries of the world, especially those
nations with limited land for food production. And since BIOGAS would involve using
raw materials from both cash crops and otherwise. And the fact that not all the
nations in the world, have land for farming activities e.g. The nations living on
Islands, and others in the deserts. These sets of nations would be denied the
necessary means of survival.
9. The main disadvantage is the loss of the organic waste for compost or fertilizer
10. Very limited in the quantity of electricity it can produce on the global scale
11. There is little or no control on the rate of gas production, although the gas can,
to some extent be stored and used as required
12. The product (biogas) value is rather low; this makes it an unattractive
commercial activity.
The biogas yields are lower due to the dilute nature of substrates.
13, The process is not very attractive economically (as compared to other bio-fuels)
on a large industrial scale.
14. Recombinant DNA technology and even strain improvement techniques cannot
be used to enhance the efficiency of the process.
15. The only improvement in the process, can be brought about by optimizing the
environmental conditions of the anaerobic digestion.
16. Biogas contains some gases as impurities, which are corrosive to the metal
pairs of internal combustion engines.
17. The process of digestion reduces the total solids content in the sludge and thus
there is a volume loss of the organic waste compared to composting, however both
can produce a fertilizer
18. Biogas contains contaminant gases which can be corrosive to gas engines and
boilers;
19. Digestate must meet high standards in order to be used on land without
detrimental effects on agricultural uses especially food crops;
20. Biogas plants and gas upgrading plants both have a relatively high heat and
energy demand which demand some of the biogas produced to be used on-site;
21. Will only produce a limited quantity of energy demand and is dependent upon
location in proximity to feedstock and energy users;
22. There is little or no control on the rate of gas production, although the gas can,
to some extent be stored and used as required.
Biogas as Energy
Biogas power is energy which is derived from the breakdown of organic material.
There are a number of uses for biogas power, ranging from powering certain types
of car engines to running cook stoves. This type of energy has been touted in some
areas as a source of renewable alternative energy which could potentially be easy
Biogas fuels
Among the bio fuels, biogas can play a part in the reduction of the dependence on
transport based on fossil fuels because it is a renewable energy
Since 1994, buses in Lille (North of France) experienced biogas fuel, a refined biomethane and placed at the disposal of buses running to natural gas.
In Sweden there exist 10 production units of biogas fuel (Linkpping and Uppsala)
which feeds at the same time buses and private vehicles. Biogas comes from a
unit of waste co-digestion of agricultural origin and allows feeding a fleet from 40
to 66 buses and 20 to 40 vehicles. Projects currently exist in France also for the
Blue Taxis.
Fuel Quality
Biogas produced in AD-plants or landfill sites is primarily composed of
methane(CH4) and carbon dioxide (C02) with smaller amounts of hydrogen sulphide
(H2S)and ammonia (NH3).Trace amounts of hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), carbon
monoxide (CO), saturated or halogenated carbohydrates, oxygen, and siloxanes are
occasionally present in the biogas. Usually, the mixed gas is saturated with water
vapor and may contain dust particle. The characteristics of biogas are somewhere
in between town gas and natural gas. The energy content is defined by the
concentration of methane since there are no energy rich carbohydrates present.
10% of methane in dry gas corresponds roughly to1 kWh per m3. For biogas as a
fuel, most of the impurities have to be removed. They may cause corrosion,
deposits and wear of the equipment. Substances requiring attention are: hydrogen
sulphide, water, CO2, Halogen compounds (chlorides, fluorides), Siloxanes aromatic
compounds air (oxygen, nitrogen)
For Stoichiometric port injected Otto engines biogas must be upgraded to at least
the quality of the G25 reference test fuel (85% methane, 14% nitrogen), as this is
the minimum fuel quality for which the NGVs are type approved . It is particularly
important that the gas quality is maintained at a fix composition in order to prevent
an increased NOx concentration. For the removal of most of the compounds a
number of processes have been developed. For an effective use of biogas as
vehicle fuel it has be enriched in methane. This is primarily achieved by carbon
dioxide removal, which then enhances the energy value of the gas to give longer
driving distances with a fixed gas storage volume. Removal of carbon dioxide also
provides a consistent gas quality with respect to energy value. The latter is
surfaces eventually causing serious damage. Particularly in Otto engines this might
lead to major repairs. Because of the increased wearing of the combustion
chambers caused by the silica deposits. Nowadays manufacturers of CHP engines
claim maximum limits of siloxanes in biogas. It is known that the organic silicon
compounds in biogas are in the form of linear and cyclic methyl siloxanes. These
compounds are widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, and as antifoaming agents in detergents. Siloxanes can be removed by absorption in a liquid
medium, a mixture of hydro carbons with a special ability to absorb the silicon
compounds. The absorbent is regenerated by heating and desorption.
The problem of all the existing technologies is the cost. First it is a question of
economy of scale. Most of the (agricultural) biogas plants produce less than 100m3
is the absolute minimum. Best results are achieved at sizes 200m3/hr.
Another problem causing high prices is the fact that so far no real market exists,
which would allow to optimize and mass produce upgrading plants. They are still
tailor made to a large extent. Also there is a huge potential for new and simplified
technologies. With the increasing interest there will more research money available.
It is the duty of the task to help stimulating and coordinating research and
propagate new and innovative techniques .Upgrading of biogas to natural gas
quality is also necessary for introduction of biogas into the natural gas distribution
grid. There are still some fears of the national gas companies to accept biogas.
Again Switzerland and Sweden have set the pace to improve the situation by giving
a good example. About 6 months ago an international working group of gas
industry (Marco gas) started to discus conditions to accept gas from third parties
into the grid. They have established a first draft which is already an improvement
as such however, the requirements are still too stringent
power two-thirds of all the energy produced by biogas power plants was lost (the
heat), using the grid to transport the gas to customers, the electricity and the heat
can be used for on-site generation resulting in a reduction of losses in the
transportation of energy. Typical energy losses in natural gas transmission systems
range from 12%. The current energy losses on a large electrical system range from
58%.
Transport of biogas
The composition of biogas when it comprises at least 20% methane counts less for
burning in furnaces or boilers provided that the materials constituting the
equipment are adapted to gas which have a high content in H 2S.
Biogas treatment can be limited to a simple de-vesicular at the entry of the booster to eliminate
the liquids, and a bi-phasic separator.
Transport
is
carried
out
in
PEHD
canalizations,
<=
160
mm
The pressure will have to be calculated so as to obtain approximately 300 mbar on arrival
According to the sulphur content of biogas (between 0 and 6.000 Mg (N) m 3) it will be
necessary to carry out a biogas desulphurization before burning.
Direct use of biogas during the manufacture of food products (dairy, drying
of cereals, bakery/pastry making) - Health risk of interaction of the
combustion products with food
Usage
Operation mainly includes daily feeding of the installation with a mixture of dung
and water. This is not very time consuming, usually taking up to 20 to 30 minutes
per day, for farmers with livestock on-site and access to water. Removing the
Users
On average, farmers with at least 2 cows or 7 pigs, or a flock of 170 poultry, can
generate sufficient gas to meet their daily basic cooking and lighting needs. Within
the same design, different plant sizes can be constructed to allow for the actual
livestock holding and biogas requirement of the family.
Applications
The advantages of biogas are hard to quantify and depend on what current
practice is used as a comparison, e.g. gas compared with burning dung, firewood
or kerosene. Here are the main points:
At Family Level
Less time consuming than traditional fuels as there is no need to collect fire
wood or make of cow dung cakes.
At Comunity Level
Biogas Stove
In Vermont, for example, biogas generated on dairy farms around the state
is included in the CVPS Cow Power program. The Cow Power program is
offered by Central Vermont Public Service Corporation as a voluntary tariff.
Customers can elect to pay a premium on their electric bill, and that
premium is passed directly to the farms in the program. In Sheldon,
Vermont, Green Mountain Dairy has provided renewable energy as part of
the Cow Power program. It all started when the brothers who own the farm,
Bill and Brian Rowell, wanted to address some of the manure management
challenges faced by dairy farms, including manure odor, and nutrient
availability for the crops they need to grow to feed the animals. They
installed an anaerobic digester to process the cow and milking center waste
from their nine hundred and fifty cows to produce renewable energy, a
bedding to replace sawdust, and a plant friendly fertilizer. The energy and
environmental attributes are sold. On average, the system run by the
Rowell brothers produces enough electricity to power three hundred to
three hundred fifty other homes. The generator capacity is about three
hundred kiloWatts.
UK
There are currently around 60 non-sewage biogas plants in the UK, most are
on-farm, but some larger facilities exist off-farm, which are taking food and
consumer wastes.
On 5 October 2010, biogas was injected into the UK gas grid for the first
time. Sewage from over 30,000 Oxfordshire homes is sent to Didcot sewage
Germany
Biogas production in Germany has developed rapidly over the last 20 years.
The main reason for this development is the legally created frameworks.
Governmental support of renewable energies started at the beginning of the
1990s with the Law on Electricity Feed (StrEG). This law guaranteed the
producers of energy from renewable sources the feed into the public power
grid, thus the power companies were forced to take all produced energy
from independent private producers of green energy. In 2002 the Law on
Electricity Feed was replaced by the Renewable Energy Source Act (EEG).
This law even guaranteed a fixed compensation for the produced electric
power over 20 years. The amount of ca. 0.08 Euro gave particular farmers
the opportunity to become an energy supplier and gaining a further source
of income in the same place. The German agricultural biogas production
was given a further push in 2004 by implementing the so-called NawaRoBonus. This is a special bonus payment given for the usage of renewable
resources i.e. energy crops. In 2007 the German government stressed its
intention to invest further effort and support in improving the renewable
energy supply to provide an answer on growing climate challenges and
increasing oil prices by the Integrated Climate and Energy Programme.
Indian subcontinent
Also PAK-Energy Solution has taken the most innovative and responsible
initiatives in biogas technology. In this regard, the company is also awarded
by 1st prize in "Young Entrepreneur Business Plan Challenge" jointly
organized by Punjab Govt. & LCCI. They have designed and developed
Uetians Hybrid Model, in which they have combined fixed dome and floating
drums and Uetians Triplex Model. Moreover, Pakistan Dairy Development
Company has also taken an initiative to develop this kind of alternative
source of energy for Pakistani farmers. Biogas is now running diesel
engines, gas generators, kitchen ovens, geysers, and other utilities in
Pakistan. In Nepal, the government provides subsidies to build biogas plant.
China
The Chinese have been experimenting with the applications of biogas since
1958. Around 1970, China had installed 6,000,000 digesters in an effort to
make agriculture more efficient. During the last years the technology has
met high growth rates.
In developing nations
Domestic biogas plants convert livestock manure and night soil into biogas
and slurry, the fermented manure. This technology is feasible for small
holders with livestock producing 50 kg manure per day, an equivalent of
about 6 pigs or 3 cows. This manure has to be collectable to mix it with
water and feed it into the plant. Toilets can be connected. Another
precondition is the temperature that affects the fermentation process. With
an optimum at 36 C the technology especially applies for those living in a
(sub) tropical climate. This makes the technology for small holders in
developing countries often suitable.
Depending on size and location, a typical brick made fixed dome biogas
plant can be installed at the yard of a rural household with the investment
between 300 to 500 US $ in Asian countries and up to 1400 US $ in the
African context. A high quality biogas plant needs minimum maintenance
costs and can produce gas for at least 1520 years without major problems
and re-investments. For the user, biogas provides clean cooking energy,
reduces indoor air pollution, and reduces the time needed for traditional
biomass collection, especially for women and children. The slurry is a clean
organic fertilizer that potentially increases agricultural productivity.
viable domestic biogas sectors in which local companies market, install and
service biogas plants for households. In Asia, SNV is working in
Nepal, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Pakistan and
Indonesia, and in Africa; Rwanda, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Tanzania,
Uganda, Kenya, Benin and Cameroon.
In popular culture
In the 1985 Australian film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome the postapocalyptic settlement Bartertown is powered by a central biogas system
based upon a piggery. As well as providing electricity, methane is used to
power Bartertown's vehicles.
Biogas plants are a great way to reduce environmental pollution. Why is that?
Well, a biogas power plant is an anaerobic digestion system which is designed
specially for the purpose of generating energy.
You must be wondering when anaerobic digestion takes place. When there is
biological degradation of organic material (like manure, municipal solid waste and
biodegradable waste) in the absence of air, then this is known as anaerobic
digestion.
Biogas (which is primarily composed of methane and CO2) is the byproduct of
anaerobic digestion. This biogas can be used very effectively for generating
electricity and even used as a vehicle fuel. It can also be burned directly for
lighting, cooking and heating.
One of the major reasons for the popularity of biogas production by anaerobic
digestion is because it is a great way to destroy disease-causing pathogens and
Are you aware why the harvesting of biogas is an important part of waste
management? This is because methane is a greenhouse gas which is even more
harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide.
In order to become more eco-friendly many developed countries are building
biogas plants. In fact the Ministry of Energy, Thailand has set a target of building
1,540, 100 MW bio-gas plants by 2011, many of them fuelled by solid waste and
polluted water.
I hope more countries all over the world build anaerobic digestion systems;
because it is not only good for the environment it is great for business too.
7SEP2012
It may be soon that the customary red LPG cylinders are replaced with bright green CBG ones. But a
committed Government and continuous technological improvements are needed for that to happen
The recent hike in petroleum products has once again upset the common mans budget and made yet another
strong pitch in favour of adopting a safer, sustainable and economical alternative. Biogas for urban use is fast
emerging as one. Urban India generates 1,88,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day, and this is expected to
increase by one to 1.5 per cent every year. The waste includes both non biodegradable and biodegradable waste.
The biodegradable MSW holds the key to current energy crises, be it electricity or gas, as the high moisture content
does not permit costly incineration or composting but is highly suitable for anaerobic digestion in a biogas plant. The
average organic content in MSW is 50 per cent and every 150 tonnes of organic waste can generate up to one
mega watt of electricity. This has been endorsed by the successful performance of waste to electricity projects in
Vijayawada, Lucknow and Hyderabad. Up to 2,600 MW of electricity can be generated using urban waste. In Delhi,
the Keshopur sewage treatment plant is another example. The STP generates raw gas which when supplied to the
biogas plant can be upgraded to CNG quality gas that can be used to refuel and run up to 120 DTC buses at the
adjoining bus depot.
Out of the 180 million metric tonnes of fruits, vegetables and perishables produced, nearly 25 per cent to 30 per
cent is wasted due to storage capacity constraints. However, this presents an opportunity for energy generation. To
cope with this, the regulations stipulate that all municipalities should adopt sustainable methods of handling MSW.
Gas generation from biodegradable waste is providing twin benefits of solving the MSW disposal problem as well as
producing valuable energy in the process.
According to Professor VK Vijay of the Centre for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi, Till now there was
no compulsion to look earnestly for an alternative, but due to the rising prices of petroleum products people are now
more open to considering other cheaper options. The Government should take proactive steps using the available
technologies to ensure mandatory urban utilisation of biogas not only at institutional level such as hotels and
hospitals, but also at household level.
He added, Government should incentivise biogas usage, especially as it is cheap to set up. For instance, the cost
of a biogas plant that can service 16 to 20 homes is `1.5 lakh with a monthly maintenance charge of `6,000-8,000.
However, the Government must ensure that community participation and awareness in waste segregation into
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