BIOGAS FOR MARGINAL INCOME GROUPS

WHY ONLY BIOGAS

The enormous potential of biogas, estimated at 17,000 MW Biogas technology is a particularly useful system in the Indian rural economy, and can fulfill several end uses. The gas is useful as a fuel substitute for firewood, dung, agricultural residues, petrol, diesel, and electricity, depending on the nature of the task, and local supply conditions and constraints, thus supplying energy for cooking and lighting. Biogas systems also provide a residue organic waste, after anaerobic digestion, that has superior nutrient qualities over the usual organic fertilizer, cattle dung, as it is in the form of ammonia .

 Biogas is a clean ,non-polluting and low-cost fuel. It contains about 55-75% methane, which is inflammable. Biogas can be produced from cattle dung, human waste and other organic matter by a process called anaerobic digestion in a bio gas plant. The digested material, which comes out of the plant is an enriched manure.

Why biogas is used for marginal income?

WHAT IS BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY?

Biogas technology is a two phase process. In the first phase, the acid-forming bacteria hydrolyse and ferment the organic compounds (such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, etc.) to form organic acids, alcohols and gases of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and traces of hydrogen sulphide. The environment in which the above activity occurs is "acidic" with pH ranging from 5.1 to 6.8 . In the second phase, a "consortium of bacteria or (group of bacteria) work upon the organic acids produced during the earlier phase to produce methane gas This group of bacteria is relatively slow performing and gives optimum performance .

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD Community-size biogas plant (CBP)

A good biogas plant must optimize the following four functions: i) gas production rate ii) methane gas concentration in the biogas produced iii) stability of the process iv) lower overall cost of production of biogas

Parts of a biogas plants

1. a digester( where the slurry is anaerobically fermented) 2. an inlet tank (where dung and water are mixed) 3. a gas holder /dome (into which the generated gas is collected) 4. An outlet tank ( to remove the digested slurry) 5. a manure pit (for digested slurry storage) 6. distribution pipeline (to take the biogas to utility points)

The evolution of biogas technology

Biogas plants in India were experimentally introduced in the 1930's, The early plants developed were very expensive and were not cost effective in terms of the gas output, indeed the early models were not producing enough gas to supply a small family . Some of the early models were also prone to burst, so overall, the technology was not viable for dissemination. In 1961 the Khadi and Village Industry Commission chose to promote Patel's design, which, although more costly than other models, was more productive, had a longer life, and required minimal maintenance. Anaerobic digester design has continued to evolve over the years, but systems are generally variations around the theme of the floating-dome and the fixed-dome design. (KVIC, 1993).

Different types of biogas plant recognized by MNES (Ministry of NonConventional Energy Sources )

Floating-drum plant with a cylinder digester (KVIC model). Fixed-dome plant with a brick reinforced, moulded dome (Janata model). Floating-drum plant with a hemisphere digester (Pragati model). Fixed-dome plant with a hemisphere digester (Deenbandhu model). Floating-drum plant made of angular steel and plastic foil (Ganesh model). Floating-drum plant made of pre-fabricated reinforced concrete compound units. Floating-drum plant made of fibreglass reinforced polyester.

Factors hindering spread of biogas

Technically, problems have arisen from installing too large a capacity plant . Economically, biogas systems have been shown to be cost-effective . Despite the positive cost-benefit of biogas technology, the 'macro-environment', may discriminate against the uptake of biogas. The system of grants and loans may hinder the correct choice of plant for different users, such as the ineligibility of community size systems, due to their size.

The Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources has taken up following programmes for development and harnessing of biogas potential in the country
National Project on Biogas Development (NPBD) {for setting up of family type biogas plants} [35 lakh plants up to 31 March 2003 against 120 lakh] Community, Institutional and Night Soil based Biogas Plants (CBP/IBP/NBP) Programme [3,902 plants up to 31 march 2002.] Research& Development on Biogas {Production & Utilization Technology}