Unit -4

BIO-ENERGY

Energy from biomass, Principle of biomass conversion

technologies/process and their classification, Bio gas generation,
types of biogas plants, selection of site for biogas plant,
classification of biogas plants, Advantage and disadvantages of
biogas generation, thermal gasification of
biomass, biomass
plants and their
gasifies, Application of biomass and biogas
economics.

1
 4

BIO-ENERGY

ENERGY FROM BIOMASS

The energy obtained from organic matter derived from biological organisms (plants and
on plants and plants
)is known as biomass energy or simply, bioenerg. Animals feed
through the photosynthesis process using solar cnergy.
biomass energy.
olosynthesis process is primarily responsible for the generation of
emass animals and
energy resources are available from botanical plants, vegetation, algae,
are mainly classified into two
anisms
living on land or in water. Biomass resources
gories. They are as follows:
1. Biomass
from cultivated fields, erops iand forests. waste,
agricultural
2 Biomass dung, forest waste,
from municipal waste, animal
Dioprocess waste and fishery waste.
produce
or biological processes to
energy may be transformed either by chemical
Biomass
Wnediate ete.
gas, ethanol and charcoal
bio-fuels such as methane, producer

2
 Renewatble
nergy
oxygen,
t
envionmental balance
of
CO, min eto (a) Municipal solid waste (MSW)
Biomass ycle maintains he electrikcity, gaseous and solid fuels, Sewage (liquid wse)
process heat and liquids )
ued for prodacing the
chemicals Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass Energy
Nomas eserey
44.1. Biomass Resources engesef
energy production encompass
a
wide spectrum n of
materials rencwable source.
Biomass resources for s
e L
.
tisa
industrial and social
hom fores, agricuhue,
aqusculhre (fresh ad sea water) and actite The pollutant emissions from conbustion ef biomas are wuall levser dan fonsil
food procesing urban nefuse ee fuels.
such as
1
Commercial use of biomass may avoid or reduce he peoblems of wate disposal
Farcse other industries
i
nrod
Forests, natual or cultivated, sere as sources of fuel wood, charcoal and
Some fast gowing itenive trees sach
as eucayptus, poplar and pine are specially
ck 4Use of biogas plants spat fom spplying clem g ho lad o imgroved d
stabilized sanitation.
for the purpose of energy S The forestry and agricultural industries which supply feed stocks ao provide
Agricalural residae nral areas.
0 rice husk coconut shell. groundnut shell,
sugarcane ban
substantial economic development opportunities in
Crop residues such
a
str, 6 The encrgy stoage is an in-built feature
of
L.

e, at gasiied to obin producer gas padvantages ef biemass cnergy:

Energy cnp L
tis dispersed and land intensive source
are as followE
Certain cutivated plants produoe aw material for bio-fuels. They 2. Itis often of low energy density.
cost of collecting large quantities of biomass for
) Sparcne tis also labour intensive and the
3.

tsanw material source for bio-ethanol. The sugarcane stems are milled to obtin te commercial application is significant.
cane juice which is sbsequent sod for suga (sacrose) or alcobol (ethanol) production e
residual faction from the sugacane stom milling is named a
bagasse. One-third of tle
al 413 Biomass Fuels
that reacts with oy and
gen
energy is vailable in suparceand another similar amoumt is available in bagasse, leavsal in conbustion
organis carboe-based material
Biomass is an

avilable to ses ane gven below

cane tops process to release heat Some of is foms
larnl metabolic
) ol pradacng plants: Fael wood:
combustion is the
source of biomass enery, Diret
Ol producing plants such as sunflower, apesoed, paln oil, castor oil, soybean, go Wood is the most obvious and oldest
t can abe be converted
and cotonsood have the capabilities of producing energy
way to obtain heat
energy. lts energy density is l6-20 Mkg
more useful forms such as charcoal or poducer ga
ij Aquatic plant: l
Some walet plants grow very fast and provide raw materials for producing Q Charcoel: contet and has
chanol These arc water kelg, seaseed and colour. It has 75-80% cabon
solid fel of black
elc. alga, Chrcoal isa clean dv, carbonization process of
woody bioma lo
obained by
() Urba wast: 30 ALIRg is
sity of about making high quality stel
mass It salso sed for
Urban waste is of two types energy density per unit
They ae given below. gher

3
 Renewbie
Enery Sysln
4
owtiom of solid fuel. The gas
production depends upon
the type ofbiomass
pellet ad the desig
Pl s straw, rice husk,
cow dung e., are pressed to
forn lumps knos dgasifier.
Crp rosidues such (hio-dieset
Vegetahie oils
pellets and usedm solid fel
fl e
ed as
suchor blended wih diesel
aadesel cnginefucl
a colourless liquid biofuel Is
boiling point is 78c
Ehanol (CHOH) sugar su PRINCIPLES OF BIOMASS CONVERSION
from wet bionmass containing
demsity is 269 AMIkg can be derived
in specially designed iC engines. otrsion, also known as biolranformation, is defined as the peoces of conversion
celllose, Comnercial ethanol sed
is of
mserials such as plant or animal waste into nable products or enery souroes by
(9 Biaga energy to conbrk spgical processes or agents sach as certain microorganisms
and hamats contain enough
Oganic wstes fhom plant, animals
mary areas. Biogass prodced in
a biogas fermenter
enc Photosyn thesis Process
CODY sigificantly o spply
So% to 4 2s
mateial is cow manure. the output biogas will contain about
digesters Ifaw S% e Io% H03to0.7% with trace amounts ofO, and
N
8 Biomass energy is obtained by photosyndhesis process rmeans the syhess prooes wih
CH 30o405 CO, Photosynthesis converts solar energy into biomaS ery.
lt cansits in building up of
enongy density is about 23 for cooking. lighting. heating and operating snl
ACtssed st
SPRCTMRN ngle carbohydrates such as sugar in the groen leaf in the presence of sunligh.
IC engines, e Solar radiation incident on green plants and oher phctasy nithesis erganisma perform tao
Preperties f Bingesc
vpn
basic functions. They are given below.
Biogas is miture of difleret compoeents andthe composition varies depending
a

the characteristics of fend materials, amount of degradation, etc. Biogas predominantly

consins 1.
Temperature control for chemical reactions to proceed and
other gases
of 50 to 7o% methane (CH), 30to 40% carbon dioxide (CO) and low amount of 2 Photosynthesis process
gas The enery content of biogas depends on the amount of methule
Methane isa combutible an
The fundamental conversion process in green plants is photosyathesis.
Photosynthesis is

Methane oontent varies from about 50% to 70%. The properties of

the biogas energy to produce
t contains
1 of combining CO water and light
complex process It is the process
given in the follow ing Table 4.1. hemicelluloses) They are he main
ygen and carbohydrates (sugar, starches, celloses and
The net eherg absorbed
Talle 4.1 Prperties ef biogas uroe of our foods and clothes (in the form of coton), funiture ef
can be measurod from its conbuston.
Praperties Range o solar rdiation during photosynhesis

Net calorific valuc (M) 22.6

Phatsythe o+Cr (HO)Y
x
C0) +y H0+Light energy
Air soquired for combustion () 5.7
indicates the carbulydrates.
gnitioe temperture (C Where the symbol Cx (H0)y
700 (glucose, fuctose
for the fomation af hexose
Density (g) For example, the basic chemical reaction
1.2 following chemical oquation
a photosynthesis is represented by the
Flash point (C)
650-750
Photoynhe o+6CH
9 Producer ges:
e
6CO, +6H0+ 80 eoryabsocbedfom
coconut shell equalio the
combustion proces
Woody mattict such a
crup residue, wood chips,
bagasse, rice husk,
can
be transformed to producer gas (wood gas, water gas or method known
# where Q
is enthalpy changee of the
blue gas) by A phutons of solar radiation.

4
 Ranewabie
Energy Sy

Necessary cmdiions for photeythei precss Mechanicat means are used 1o arrange biomass 47
input for biomass production, into predetermined
Lht s be inpotant
L one of e handling smaller, unifom
Bilitatebetter transportation and storsge sizes
co,ccerulo:tstheprimary
w
material for photosynthesis
2 Bomuss mpgra
ading is the process of changing
is estricted to the temperature range the poperies of
& Tomperature Photnthesis 0c transportation, pretreatment and comversion. Siomass o improve
For exanple, upgading
noGturee content andincrease hy droghobicity Can reduce
to reduce feedstock deterionaion during stornge.
BOMASS CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIESPROCESSES Ungading alo increases feedstock fowablity by improving
4 te
handling of foedstocks and
There are may biomass coevension routes to prepare energEY efficient
biofuk Bet
grindability. Also, it reduces energy
requirements during
the sine-reduction process
comversion routes are broady divided into for categories. These are outlined as
fo mechanical
Before doing
of
convension biomass,
itis necesary to pre-reatmest of biomass
Physical or mechanical coeversion
L

Biomass
41. Pre-treatment of
2 Agrochemical coevnioe eeatment is a main tool for cellulosecoaversion peocesses which
is essestial o changs
3. Thermal gasification ar Themochemical conversion ucture
of cellulosic biomass to mae celulose more available to de enzymes They
a) Direct cobustion vert
the carbohydrate polymers into fermeotable sugas Seme of the methods are listed in
b) Carbonisation
Table 42 below.
Table 4.2 Methods of pre-treatment ef blomass resdars malerials
) Pyrobsis
Gasification Pretreatment Procedares Eects Benefits
methods
e) Liquefication in which Due to this, there is
Stram explosion It is method helgs in binding
a

4 Biochemical conversion
high pressure steam is physical, chemical and daring palletization
Anacrobic digestion
applied for a short structural changes in and briqueting
b) Etanol fermentation time and then relcascd the biemass residues
malerials

44 PHYSICAL OR MECHANICAL CONVERSION OF BIOMASS AND T3

Tarrefaction It is a process of slow
Due to thi, volaile helps in binding
CLASSIFCATION materials nd smoke
during palletization
heating of
are
evoving peodacts and briqueting
Mechanical comversion of biomas is
a impotant method because it is a solid. Usal biomass residues
reduces to make final
agricuhural residues and energy crops have imegular shapes materials to a
and a low bulk density dueio
harvest fomats. They also have high moisture content
which can accelerate degradation du
lo Temperature of near product bettet.
storage. Therefore, the low density biomass about 3000C
of materials makes a challenge for the ha
process, It helps in binding
transportation, slorage and combustion processes Due to this
These problems can be reduced by is a process in which
processes called hiomass p Amnonia It
rstallizing of during paletiation
densification and biamass upgrading. iber ammonia aqueous is
cellulose in the nd briquetting.
Biomass densification Epansion used at high pressure
is a processto increasing the bulk and energy densities ofa
biomas
biomass residues
feedstock by reducing its bulk volume to obtain more and temperature to
uniform prooerties than aw b hydrolysismaterial reduces
obtain more
yields for several

5
 Renewable
48 EneuY
Sy geEnegy
hemicellulose and
Bramineus length. Round
feedstocks ignin. L8in bales are less
expenive to
lly
denser and casier to handle and transport. proce but
lrgg square bales are
Grinding nisaprocess of Dae to this, t increases
the comversion
the
grinding of surface area
Briqeting is one
o
of he way to
biomass rawthesidues of the biomass raw or increase theenergy
biomassraw densty and overcome
material at residues material in o
residuesmaterial the simplest
method of physical
coeversio
of biomas by compresing
handling difficulties.
method, feedstockS are
specific siae depends appropriate size and which impeoves nrial In this compacted using a the uombustible
pressure by a hydrulie, mechanical or
nder high piston pressor screw oler press
upon the becakdown the lignin he binding made from paddy husk or
pesuextruder. Briquetes
(66
densification prescnt in it. sawdust is a diaeter and
process indasstry Also, briquettes can cheg nd eflective fael for the
techeolog selected. aring be made
from feedaocks wi tbacc
nd may
use hinders such as starch,
molasses nd
s6-snge of moisture
saprocess of arbic gum The addion of
Pre-heating Due to this, energy Generate more considerable flexibility in the production mchod and binden permits
hpe of foedock Briquetes are
sinarily used for heating purposes
heating ofrbiomass comsumption of
lignin which hely
Ew or residucs manufacturingthe in binding during Q Serew compactionestruder machie
material before briquettes or pellets densification Serew extruder has a rotating screw
densification or which everts a ferce on biomass reidues coming from
can be decrcased. feedstock for [Link] mechanical drive is used to operate a scw
briquetting process inide
be machine. A significant amount of energ is neoded o reduce the particle iction because
o enhance the quality Nomass residues are moderately compressed and erammed Ar
hig emperue ad initial
of the produc unperature, particles of biomass become sofer. It causes iterlinking
of paticles and local
honds formation. When biomass enters in tapered
die section, aremainin mosture again s
442. Methods of Biomass Densfication and Upgrading vaporated because of high temperature of rangs 2800C. Thia proces helps to iatemsify the
Various methods of
biomass densification and upgradingtechniques are sampression on biomass residues materials. The high temperature and heavy compresion
used based on the
type of fecdstock, available equipment and desired ake the biomass material more appropriate for buming and co-fring process.
final product such as

0 Baling
Hopper
Aarre
(6) Briquetting
(G) Pelletizaios
(iv) Torefaction Palets

1. Baling: Solids comveyingL

Figure 4.I Biomass rew

Baling is a
traditional method of densification Ope erude
commonly used to harvest crops. A
formed using fam machinery called a baler compress
fo che shop The shape of bales ca
square, rectangular or
ound based on the tpe of baler gsed, The dimensions
9 Pton presspunp machine: orsome hydraulic mechanism
for the
range from of round driven by flywheel
12 ress used piston which is residues material
Smto 1LS mx 15 Large rectangular bales are
in the fuel such as briquetfes'pcllets A biomass
sie o
of densified biomass

6
 Renewabie
Energy B

shaped piston drive

whick can be drives:
the cyfinrical The biomass
into edirction residues mterial
be feedckunt
coming
heting of biomas
Foe
resides material, tempersture
Tangs iproduct is extruded from other side The
is ngd
o
bom one side and
or kydricall
mehacally
during compeesion process The inconming bioma material used, coetent
gp
of moisture, betes t ers
depesds on type e
beeen s00erC s 30000C
oonical shaped die
by the piston and the briquets
sesidues
sie of peicle, e ofbiders of
snd several
material
n compesed owand he rfactos
die
opening faoe of the
extnde
fm the Bomass residue
Foedstock Pelletiations sa process in which wood
diameter rand 12 mm long) I
is comgesed nd
etncted in fom of rod
6mm has applicaiosin team puwer
plants and gaification
purpose of pelletisation is
The lo educe te moisture
wood longer t transportation
catets and increse energy
e
Biomass solid ual sty of for haulage. Apellet millis
sedto prduce hig-denity
Briguete) nby compressing ground biomas between rollens and
sdie nd en itis etrded trough
be most common pellet mills are
COPY
Mechai
Hydraulc p
de hok The fat die and ring die mis The primany difference
hriguettes and pellets are their bulk densities, the purticle sine the biomass
drhe of inputs
e
foal product size. For pelletization, the biomass is gound o &.1-3 mn in
dianter.
oduction af high-quality pellets ls enhanced by sing steam to soen
SPRCIKRN
Pialo be biomass nd
d lienin and by adding different binders Usally, pelits have high bulk density and
Fgure 42 Biomass piton pressjpump pe machine i, ood flowability and storability. Curently, pellets ane usod for domestis space
Roller presllmckine eing They also have the potential for supplying feedaodk bicbased [Link] wih
main unit ef ole processability.
A biomass roller pressimill type machine depicted in Figure 4.3. The inproved

mill s haO rollers which tate in the opposite direction with each other. Roller compression
Rotation ard clockwise
Accurate sz
for packin

Biomass esd
alerat Particle detedtor

Rotaion dockaise
Fine paricde foedback

Figure 4.J Biomass roller pressinill type machine Yoke

The biomass residues material is fed through the hopper, The flow of biomass rea
malerial is controlled by control mechanism The forces exerted on the predetermined q pres ope machine
Figare &4 Biomas pellet
of pre-compresued biomass residues materials by fwo rollers which continuously r

7
 Renewable
Energy

|4.12
Sye
process carried out at 200-300°C
4 Torrefaction: a thermal biomass upgrading
Torrefaction is oxygen with areactorrresidence
absence of time of
means
in the
conditions which moisture content, improved hydroghelie
biomass has reduced
Torrefied
and longer.
greater energy content
when compared to the raw biomass.
enhanced brittleness and
enhanced brittleness
improves s downstream ts
grindabl
better-preserved during storage and its
which increases itsspecifie
is further densified by pelletization
Torrefied biomass
uniformity amongthe
its flowability by creating
energy densities while enhancing
biomass types and forms.

s Chippìng: size of woody biomass

Chipping biomass upgrading method to reduce the
is a
crops into smaller and more unio
includes forest residues and short rotation woody
chips. Usually, the bulk density of chipped biomass is higher than forest residu whid
loosely piled but it is lower than stacked wood. It is cut to specific lengths and split or mAN
by diameter before stacking. Chipping improves the handling, storage and transportain (
iregular-sized and shaped woody biomass. It prepares it for use in biorefineries or combts
power plants. Wood chips used in biofuels plants and boilers are irregular in shape and se
ranging from 3 to 80 mm.

4.4.2:1. Advantages and disadvantage of biomass densification

The main advantages of biomass densification for combustion are as follows.

) Simplified mechanical handling and feeding

(ii) Unifom combustion in boilers
(i) Reduced dust production
(iv) Reduced possibility of spontangous
combustion in storage
() Simplified storage and handling infrastructure, lowering capital require
the combustion plant
(vi) Reduced cost of transportation
due to increased energy
density
The niajor disadvantage
to biomass densification aSsocie
with some of the densification technologies is the high cost
processes,
45. AGROCHEMICAL
CONVERSION OF
BIOMASS
Agrochemical fuel
extraction describes Thep
usually remains alive the production of fuels from plants irect
and unharmed. Generally, obtained
liquid
or solid fuels may be

8
 or freshly cut plants.
Iiving
trunks
The materials are 41)
ating
into stems and of the living plant or caled erudates. They are
by crushing freshly obtained by
wellAnown similar process is the production of harvested material.
natural rubber A
latex.
Some of the plants form not only partly oxidised
C-H bonds
completely oxygen-free hydrocarbons. (cetlulose or
lignin) but also
m The oil of
source, Categories of suitable
the plant itself can directly be used
energy materials are as as
follows:
0 Seeds (sunflower with 50% oil)
Nuts (oil palm; coconut copra
(i) to 50% by mass
of oil)
(i) Fruits (olive)

(v) Leaves (eucalyptus with 25% oil)

() Tapped exudates (rubber latex)
(v) Harvested plants (oils and solvents to 15%
of the tree dry mass, e.g turpentine
from pine trees; oil from Euphorbia).

THERMAL GASIFICATION OR THERMOCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF BIOMASS

61. Biomass Direct combustion

Heat

80%/ Volatiles
Biomass CutyOr CO+H2

20%
02
CO2

Ash
Char

Ho combustion
direct
Figure 4.5 Biomass

9
 The m wpre oe re g
i e
ofe charol drvn off Th
fe

m unes, hee
of oxygn
deene
e of che
ari e

process steps for

The basi
bma pyol
ae transfer fomhet soreta
e

e
e

te
in of pyolysis atinin
bi cab produt y pdt rin in the vpr pheg i
Carcoal
The
falpt
cotains 20-25s
l podcts the unread
d b

and E ca
be presened r g
ndenation of ped o e vge
effikiency than wood soves n alyti
actin bm gd
The ppobys process comsits of b
wing four mainstages demind y a heated in a son-eative
kerial
ibimas starts a
a
3serC-550

wThe lng chainof caton y

f tewod o e atiod Th
deal de yolyi ondtins Ra g
s on
dpend the pocess parne
,
Bepaat coafiguri fock
mgf e0erc ad pga
d
lgids a well as
all Te peoducts of pyeos e
o
oaliguid Boil
Th cenic and u pla i
prr ppart
250- 300Cmperature
cags A i Bchr e
old malt
bigpd
t lg
of
n
saed fae e wd sdiy prole aid groduced
i o
charcoal pdae e
catned idue f e
wd

10
 y

bed ple of deetly pt

arol o carton monvie d geod e

(Necding te
m
dol

y t petil flfd
4Leton
Liac
Fep inins bio proe Boo
sahle
l pp aded to geline d
n oc. Th

cnpv
ea esrC nd bio-char is e majr end p chemical
ton sh
eations Boa
best prue
d
reactive, putymeriae
8PRCIMRN wghe distribution
Iwadwide evy y hey e
Liation can be divided in a
tion ing ltin Diret liqefa efs
condenable
prublems Ast
Molr
have low eeg denity d cas de ohrhand, tlyt
ehomass to a cob Dpduce liquid pduct in
olid biomass fuls fny, bioma i gifod
mone than l000Cnd han

a F, Ca, Ra and Nibd

Tha g
C
mpertre nd 20 Cw

d
tly fr cleiciy
ma gfin poces in gaso Te inprt pocemf l

Bimas i aton ydg d yga ecules fur onpl Ad eulit, pobsa l

po t doide Co d wa do, Putial obuios poda
cOwl lrg à t cubusde gases By
pdug d
bu e
anigwd aispexiny i-2 c
psess Rapd nching
alo catas
45-%te aga (Nd

11

11
 Renewable
Eray Sya
dark brown
pyrelysis isa low viscosity, fuid yields oftnethanol from woody
Posis iquid bom ft liquid resulting from slow pyrolysis.
The

t oontrasts wit he black ary liteston, Meanolcanbesod biomas

water
liquid isa conplicated hydrocarbons arising from the
mitee of
Fat
uncontrolleta y S68 getd o be
i de
aliqdful in petsleunegnes ng

lignin in lignocellukose biass

oxygenated which
The liquid is high
namety phenols, sugars and both
makes
i
anuty of23
MI

as rgy f

unstable tcontains may diferent compound, lighaic rBIOCHEMICAL CONVERsiON OF BIOMASS

makes the liquids w AND
aromatic hyrocarbons The low pHof pyrosis liquids highly TS CLASSIFICATION
e of metabolic
The liquid alse contains paticulate cha. The higher
heating Values action of miobial orgi
of pyrolysis n
Tanging fion I7 20
Akg wih liquid densities of about 1280 Aglm
liqid pseous fuel. There are two major biochemical groceses
t bims producelquid
nd
kgt They egves
below
holsi liqid can be ed dectly saSbtitute for heatinE oil.
In somA CASES,
1. Anacrobic digestion
he
e
fuel for combustion turbines
also sutable as or modified dicsel engines. However, 2 Alcobolic or Ethanol fernentation
cnPY sevel pbims wih pysa
liqui. The storngs of thee liquids becomes diffouh
phase sparation and poymeriation of liquid and corosion of containers The
lih 44 Anaerobic Digestion
and moture conent prolsis liquids makes them incompatible with con
f e anaerobie digestion, biogas is produced by
SPECRKRN
ydrocabun facl
dewer
animal dung or green plants in the absence e hcterial decamposition of wet
osygen Biogas
sege
gas,
of
isao known asnp
fuel gas, marsh gas, wet pas and in lndiamore
Lfaon drvgk mnl gnhei: comcely sphar gas The
Mehanol rbic digestion process breaks down the arganic
ialiid fl tat can be burned in a modified internal combustion engie
De fnal product is a mixture of methane
mter into snpler organic compound.
slo known al adoohol (CHl cabes dioide (CO) nd some trce ges
lapwn as biogas. The process
Methanol (CHOHD prodacnd by the reaction is called anarbic fermenion The main fuel comgenest of
ofCO and H;
at 33eC and 150 ae presun higas is methane gas Carbon present in biomas my be
imaely dvided beteem fully
given by
idied CO, and fully educed CHa It is given by the following equation
c0-24,C,OH 20-55°C
Decaying wet biomass g argely CHe nd CO)
Anaerobic frmemtar
-90 77W/ml
The CO and H; ae qied for dis process It can
be produced by gasifying bim Te natural decay process, 'anaerobic decamposiioe be speded up ing a y
fucls Gification olen pndaces less hydrogen hemally insulatcd air-tight tank with a siner ait and heating ystem The reactions are
lan 2:1 atio of H to CO feY mehal
hes Thus, the gas misturs (peoducer gas
isythesis gas) is often reacted swith steam
slightly exodhermic and small amount of healt is aho generated which hels mainain he
prescnce iate
ofa catalyst o peumote a shit vo high bydrogen content as nouable temperature. The most useful biomass ateriah appear io be animal manu, alg
iip, byacinth, plant residues and oher onganic wate materials with high tmoiune co
Co+H0C0+H,
Anaerobic digestion basically involves the folowing teee phes
M-4057Ui
CO) and H6S in the synthesis gas are remaved prior to
the mnethanol reactor. The ga
0 hydroysis
) an acid phase and (ii) methane phase
wi acatalyst at clevalcd lemperature and prossurc to produce
methanol in ahighly eo
largs molecules into smaller
oees by
resction he bydrolyss phase covers the break down of
are decomposable by bacteris During the acid phase, complicated molecules
hat

12

12
 Renewsbie
Energy y
by acid -forming bacteria
carboydrates are decomposed
sch as protcins,
fats and into ora cedby the fermentation of sugN |421
and some impurities. Organie soltion Afersbeut 30 rs of
hydrogen ammonia acids are
cid, carboe dioxide ma gontains 610% alcohol removed by distillation fermentation,
the beew
methane phase, the methane-forming bacteria comvets Oetonne of
shot-chain fatty acids During ofakohottin which atonne
of grain 350
wp will groduce
le vto
acids into methane. ir lires ds one of wood are
estimated
520
can n s40 lires 260 e
esinple and low-cost process that be economically
Anaerobie digestion is Carried Sarch crops contain sugar unts hat are
s areas where ocganic wastes
are generatod in plenty. Biogas isa
renewable te disaccharide forms of sugar until
ied together in long chains
Yeast cannot
rnal eie the e
as a by product of plant and animal materials. The stanch chains e oomverted
hat created to individual
groups suchhas glucose or fructose. This
fosil fuel
decompositien of animal or human fhces
takes around 10 days. | Each kilogram
of
Jbo gro a
coversionprocess can
be done fairtly by
s-
of biogas at atmospheric pressure.
orgi of cooking in dilute acid solution or
eacting the stach with he
material can be expected to yield 4se-s00 lres crops contain themoghilie (heattoleran)
The resida nmes Cellulose
chemicals called polysaccharida

COPY
left aher digestion is valuable fertiliuers The detailed study about aerobic digestion is
m boken down to
release the sugar. Breaking
te
These chains must be
chemical bonds of
ollulose
chapter &9.2on Pege 425. iested than breaking down starch to simple
ga is more
The convesion is typically
orr heat treatment) or done
plysically (milling chemically (basie or
cid reactions)
472 Alcaholic Fermentation
SPECIMRN
Ety alcahol er ethanol known as aleoha and technically termed ethanol is a colou A
BIOGAS GENERATION
and flanmable liquid wiha chemical formala CjHiOH. It is the alcoholie prodct f Riogas is a gaseous fuel obtained from biomass by the process
of anaerobi digestion
fermenting the sugars in natural raw materials with yeast The natural raw materials incl Ementation). A biogas digester (also knownsabiogas plan) is a large tank where
inside
vegetable matler, growing crops, fam waste, waste organic products (straw and saw ut Nigas is produced through the decomposition breakdown of organic mamer
though a peoces
molasses, wastes of paper and pulp industries etc.
aled anaeroble digestion. It is called a digester becaase onganic material is eaten and digested
Alcoholie fermeation or chanol fermentation is the decomposition of biomas e
absence of air and simple hexose sugars (CHO) in aqueous solution by action of entye
in by bacteria to produce biogas.

present in yeast in acidic oonditions The chemical process involved in ethanol fermentaion is
Biogas digester delivers methane as rich ga which contains methane (CHA, carbon
doxide (CO;) and other impurities. The biogas plant have wrban applications for coeverting
given by the following equation.
uhan refuse and waste into useful energy. The biogs plants have the nural applications for
32C coverting cow dung, agicultural wastes ee into biogas Biogas piants are buith in various
CH Fermentation
2 CiH,OH +2 CO,
szes having the capacity of 05 lday to 650 wlay. The most popular size in India is of

Ethanol can be produced by the fermentation of any feedstock

that contains sugr 3lday capacity.
starches It can be producod from cellulose materials that can be
converted into fermentlbe
sugar. These three groups
of biomass are as follows: 4L1. Conversion of Raw materials to Biogas
sugars (sugar beets, sugarcane, on availability ofthe waste All ypes of organie
O Sweet sorghum, fruits) The choiceof raw material is based he process of anacrobie
can slurry are suitable for producing biogas by the
() starches (small grains such as com and
wheat, potatoes, cassava) and les which form
are difficut and timeconsuming
and sugarcane bagage
() cellulose (wood, solid waste, etion ina biogas plant, Wood
agicutural residues). The energyroute of
biogas platis shown in Figure
Sugar crops contain monosaccharide
forms of sugar such as glucose. can
o, the burming may be preferred.
fermented into alcohol by yeast It 46
with no intermediate
processing fermentation, ethanol
In

13

13
 Renewable Energy
Sy

4.22
Domestic
cooking
Water
Dung
Fuel for kilns
& furnace

Fuel for
Biogas methane IC engine
Biogas plant
IC engine
driven generator
Sludge to
manure Lighting

Figure 4.6 Energy route of biogasplant

4.8.2. Biogas Raw Materials

1. Agricultural wastes
Poultry waste

2. Rural animal wastes

Butchery waste
3. Forest wastes Coconut husk waste
4. Industrial wastes.
The following organic matter rich in feedstocks are
suitable for biogas production.
1. Animal wastes: Cattle dung, poultry droppings,
fish wastes, leather and hood Ws
foetus wastes and elephant dung.
2. Human wastes: Facces and urine
3. Agricultural wastes:
Aquatic and trast
terrestrial weeds crop residue, sugarcane
bagasse, cotton and textile
wastes and tea wastes.
4. Industrial wastes:
Sugar factory, tannery, paper
etc.
4.8.3. Average Composition
of Biogas
The average composition
ofthe biogas is given by
1. Methane
(CH) -
55 to 60%

14
 the content:
Mirngof 4.29

The
slurry is properly mixed and bacteria get their
retards the digestion.
food supply. So,
otion
the violent slurry
Retentlon
time:

period ofIretention of the material

The
The normal
sluryfor biogas generation inside
retention period. value of retention the digester is
inoWnas period is 20to 50 days
days. and in some
gsitis60
Carbon lto nitrogen
ratio:
Theelements of carbon and nitrogen are the main food of
anacrobic bacteria. Carbon is
energy and nitrogen for building the cell structure.
for The bacteria use carbon with 30
ines faster than
nitrogen.

linjorm feeding:
The digester must be fed at the same timne every day with a balanced feed of the same
ality and quantity.

41 TYPESs OF BIOGAS PLANTS

Biogas plants are mainly classified into the following types.

1. Continuous and batch types (as per the process).
2. Dome and drum types.

410.1. Continuous Process Biogas Plant

mass where the
thoroughly mixed with the digesting
In this cáse, the raw material is main features of
the biogas production is maintained. The
and
bon prevents souring
are as follows:
tinuous process biogas plant
digestion chambers.
1. Itrequires small
gas.
2. will continuously produce
It
type.
problems compared to a batch
3. It has fewer
4. It needs lesser
period of digestion. biogas is
completed
compounds into
complex organic having good
The entire process of conversion of easy to operate and
economical, plants. Single
asingle chamber. Such plants are simple, medium size biogas
small and showsthe single
itrol. These plants are generally preferred for Figure 4.9
gs plants produetion than two stage plants.
have of gas
less rate

15

15
 penele Energy
Sy

the spent residue koeps

The
ml mply fe nd moing
tge dgeer wgrihal resides when fermented
in nge
Serin ptlems ae eote
cotinou proces
Gas emova

ornatant

SPECIMENCOPY

First stage
complelaly md
Figure &.10 Duulle sged

[Link] and Drum Type Biogas Pant

Pr c Skeie ef sgle sge praces digester
The dome and drum types

Swing to types.
ae in uners ol Ty se mny cafld o
4102 Batch Prooss Biogs Pat . The flaating gas hoder plat.
Ba bpea g plamouie fr daily supplies of raw waste materiaa we
2 Fixed dome digester
rak iffcuk
l sained T iood bioass is fod in batches with large i
teval be tte onie Ct te pcs of digestion is complete, dhe pl L
he floating gas holder digester i kaon la Thee ae dfrt aaveial
b
plid gtin, e fe bimass thedy be
nied Ah charge may stj the designs such as cylindrical ectanglpherica, Agn a

patin er
ldng te
Then, dgetion covers are closed for he d horiaontal. They are constructod undrneh the gond
om be dger
d
ih e The
procoss Thorafer,
te biogs derid fun e digtr
d

afer 10 das to 15 dgs a gas holder made of MS plat The gas holdr i
The maie foatures of
te hach plat a a follows mation of rust on the gas holder and oe n

dask of i
aled
dgetr ad gm holder unbod l
LBadh pe plats deliver ga iemiteatly and discotinouly ae fixed dome digester, the
hahpceses peily
h dah

r
2 kaed severl digen danben for coatinuous pas prodactin he
e
pla. fr
It s best suited
he level and
a allemalely fed quatities dne dgeur i ally ull bw
The fixod
allle for gaoold
3 neod initial secdgto stat the aacrbic fermentalio cooler egis The pesr i he dir vihe
4 s opeatioe and mainteane are relatively more cotmplek cLASsFICATION OF BIOGAS
PLANTS OR DIGESTERs
3. has lnger digestion timg Thereforg. is ore suitable for
cgcis
four bil
which are diffick dgesters are clasiflod ito
for aaerubic digestion

16

16
 penet Energy
by
dome pe dgnter
L
Fiedde pe hig ptger
e p odctioe per
2 Fating i holder and Bproduces variable gs prer
3

4
Fese h

Floing plder
cot diteg
bpe hing planter 1
resskilled masons
formation
i problemfo tiing n e
4 FdDome Type Big PantDyter
Flosting Drum Type Bioga
Fiere 41t showsahm
of e
ft dome pe
dgeter biogas
plt Thei le Pantigetr
eof biogas
ees te feed& bim nd te The
imwiha handle is used for tiing te
min
plant w
deied by
is now being adoped al nd llgr aes C
form sy, e
dr va t pipe The stirner mixes the shm KV) 1961 nd nd gglaised by i
dgete The biga
i te dr ldi te yer half of the digester tank The is afloating
dr dgete pe
bog pa may

do fd oe The g died perthe g cutiet [Link]

Aler the product
biog.
ope, s i cagd epninpg
eenepe for of g
in
e dome
windo.
providd he laa
Paxbie
bradd ee
Hande lar ser Floating
do
C

Gas outet ppe

Bry
Sheng beag
d

dahar window
Decharge
wndo
Fgue 4ll Fand dome pe digester bioga plat afating galr ype
4.12 shows the foating drun bp
Adiustags fund
do ope dgr Fe gas holder is separatod fom the dga a this p olcr aagldcal
I.
,he The floating gs colecedne ides veily p d
Rhaso cosia trouble bricatod fro mild sloel platos
2 tmquies less cast comparnd os floating dn bn the main accordace with
tepesre andvolune
d re
bpe digeser in
3.
Catie, hunan cerea s produced n thegoter
ad lung frous stals can be fod ,
the gas holder sa lower leved The biogas ad the dethe
4 does not need mainternance pressure
gs in hedme insreus
lly The
5.
Hcat insulation is
io the foating dome collectur
As thefating dse rises he volne
of
gas
in
betier and lemperatute accoeusodate the gas volume
will be constant.

17

17
 oenestle
434 Eney
connected to the ppermot
The gas ourlet pipe exible beg
Fire 4D hews
&
point of
oating dme increses he t digeter The A38
foating dome collectoe are in one line, A
dome The of
te
fiaed dserand te
e
installed The shet Hfe
offe materldrde i of plaie
ide d paming
tghthe dome ghes
a alignment pper
The seating arrang ack As the
g
is
grnerstod,
he flexble
e
effet of
rl
ml nd
s
designed to povide lek poof and smooth operaion glaedme g
ide agmet e a maon costrction The
Noating
odsed in the beg sch sdome
fed te
d s s
olarical ome
Floafing Gasholder Type Blog
fabricater trction
The dome
pie shat provides the axial guide o the Pantlgt
f
dome on ne pos to fal a
posion the gas is collected ia of biogas plant wa deiged by
Cadl and ilgy lduaries Com
dme and he dome arises KVI)
i961 nd is sow being sdged d
ithe sl pld by vri gnies i
Adantg ing eter
isaflouting drum dgene
A14 shows the
ebiogs p my
oating drm type biogs
I
kh les troue bece le oontantly submerged
eicated
eas holder
i separted fom the digter ln this
fron mild stel plates. The
ur
pl

typ
s foing
pe
lecriaylindril
ofthe dgoter volume is achieved.
foing ppoleer ne des vertily vp
3
Herg prodctin per e main digester in acoordnce wit te pe dvome of bioga
nd
4 Cons pesse is obined
5 Danger of mixing opo wi
he gas is minimized.

i edod hen the fresh waste is added to the turk.

Dduntgefg
L
tuae fr alder gins hecaeofheat lost through the metal holder.
2 a higer oo rund leve
3. or a you depending on the humidiy of the locain
kmg piing i Sidng beang and sei
4 Rguire ie febe pipe joining arca and main gas pipe.

41A Fleble Bag Type Combinad Digester /Gas Holder

Gas pipe

ope
Loveled Fgure &4 Faaing galr dier
suface producodin he dgeterdites
at lower level The biogsis
aly, the gas bolder is pressure thedne iccases and the dane
olectue The pas i
tlo the floating dome
gas vohune As the oaing
dome rises, the volune of he gae
comnodate he
Fyue 4l3 Fole bg Mgester cng done incroases

18

18
 Renewable
Energy

4.36 uppermost point of the floating dome.

pipe is connected to the The
are in one line. central guide
A
The gas outlet collector aia
and the floating dome
arrangement and guide
the fixed digester proper alignment. The seating arrange
gives a
through the dome operation. The digester
tank
leak proof and smooth
are designed to provide
masonry construction. The floating
dome (2) is of fabricated Isteel constructionT
cylindrical
provides the axial guide to the
floating dome which goes from
dome guide shaft (3) gas in the slurry gets collected
positia
as
(a) to position (b) the
gas is collected in it. The in
thedne
and the dome arises.

Advantages effloating drum digester:

are constantly submerged.
1. Ithas less trouble because solids
2. It has no problem of gas leakage.

3. Higher gas production per cu.m of the digester volume is achieved.

4. Constant gas pressure is obtained.
5. Danger ofmixing oxygen with the gas is minimized.
6. No separate pressure device is needed when the fresh waste is added to the tank
Disadvantages of
floating drum digester:

1. It is not suitable for colder regions because of heat

lost through the metal holder.
2. It has higher cost.
3. It requires painting once or twice a year depending on
the humidity of the location
4. It requirts maintenance in flexible pipe joining area
and main gas pipe.
Comparison between floating drum
digester and
fixed-dome digester:
S. [Link] gasholder type
Fixed-dome type
1. Gas is released at
constant [Link]
is released at variable pressure.
2. ldentifying the defects
in gas ldentify
holder easy. ingdefects is difficult.

3. Cost of maintenance is
high.
Cost of maintenance is low.
4. Capital cost is high.
Capital cost is
low (for same capacity)

19

19
4SELECTION OF SITE FOR BIOGAS PLANTS
as
Selection on following factors such
ofeconstruction sites are based the
1, easy construction works.
The site should facilitate cost is minimized.
way that the construction
2. The selected site should be in sucha

20

20
 Renewable
Energy Syaten
448
casy operation and I maintenance activities 4fowinto
the farmer s field orthe storage
site should
ensure
sach auldflov as rivers to avoid sthe risk of pollution.
tank but should
it
3
The selected
use of main gas valve, composing and
use of
slury. checking Aaliessuch
ot low into nataral water
feeding of plant, ete. of
water from pipeline
gas lcakage, draining condensed CHALLENGES IN HANDLING
BIOGAS PLANTS
safety
4 The site should guarantee plant
avoid wastage of raw materials especially Handling ofeffuent slurry is a major problem.
5. To make plant operations easier and the
L

as as possible to the cattle shed gas forming-methanogerie bacteria are

dung'swine manure, plant must be close sensitive towands
slightly higher elevation than the surrounding Ih helps training the biogas plant owners
Lack eof
the tempersture.
6.
The site should be in in createsalot of
e
problems
avoiding water logging, It also ensures free fow of slurry from overflow Adding urea-fertilizer in large quantities may
reduce the gas
production
the composting pit. d volatile fatty acids play an
important role in anaerobic
1. For eflective functioning of bio-digesters, right temperature (20-35°) has o digestion.
Leakage of gas from gas holder
the digester. Therefore, itis better to avoid damp and cool
6 especially in Janatatype plants
maintained inside pl is a major problem.
because sunny site is preferable.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF BIOGAS GENERATION
& To mix dung and water or fush swine manure to the digester, considerable quantie
of water is required If water source is far away, the burden of fetching waer Abeateges of biogas:
becomes more Biogas burns very cleanly and produces
fewer pollutants during cooking than any
9. The well or ground water source should be at least 10 m away from other fuel except electricity.
the biodigester
especially the slurry pit to avoid the ground water pollution.
10. If longer gas pipe is used, the cost will be increased as
6 Biogas provides instant hcat upon ignition, no pre-beating or waiting
time is
the conveyance system required.
becomes costly. Also, longer pipeline increases the risk gas
of leakage. The main
(ü) Most biogas burners are able to regulate theflow-rate to turs down fire-power from
s
vahe which is fited just above the gas holder should be opened and closed
before and after the use of biogas Therefore, high heat to small low heat for simmering
the plant should be as near to the point
of application as possible. G) Biogas can be used for lighting aswell.
11. The site should be at sufficient distance from trees
to avoid damage of bio- digester () The by-product from the digester can be used as fertilizer.
from roots
(vi) Biogas is a renewable fuel.
12 Type of soil should have enough bearing
capacity to avoidthe possibility of sinking
of structure. adiantages of biogas:
High investment costs are needed for the digester, tubes, gas stove amnd pots.
L48. LOCATION OF BIOGAS
0 run the
PLANTS can
Biogas the workloadof women
increase
as
it is often made their task to
A biogas plant should be located
less than 5m from the field. The digester chamber digester.
e in an open arca and should mu run a biogas plant on their own
not be ncar any water source or
) It is not viable for eldery or sick people to t they
KCrement may seep natural water because
ito underground water. The plant should also be an to assist them in the maintenance of the digester
t on the low land to avoid the dangerof floods. The excess manure
situated on a sope do not have labor
from expansion e ) Installations must be protected against theft and dama
their ase
as
or feces and
() Culturalrules might limit the acceptance of handling dung

fuel for cooking.

21

21
 Renewabie
Energy Sysen
4.50
habits whichmight gasifier engines are typically
Biomass
change of cooking
Cooking with biogas requires the vlble in capacities
(9
adoption.
prevent
e offengines are Used. Diesel engines
Two Vpes
i producer gas These re called re modified rangigfom10
snd cn S00
W

to store and transport to other consumers gas. Now, 1005 da-fue be run O &mitut
(vi) Biogas is difficult producer ergines, Typicaly
plcedwith gas
peodacer gs
enginesre 0-45% desel
prate on producer slovilable These
421. APPLICATIONS OF BIOGAS PLANTS
los engjoes
Biomass gasifier- based electricity
energy transition as generaticn
has typically bees
Bioenergy is a main support of decarbonisation in the sed for hrce tbpes
contexts and sectors. It ean pications of
emission fuel. Bioenergy is useful due flexibility in the
to
electrilcation in an offerid mode:
as solid bioenergy and biogases combusted for power and heat in homes and industrial
pla WVge
ycars biomass gasifies have been
to liquid biofuels used in cars, ships and airplanes Also, biomethane
can use existing In recent used for electrification
E natunal
systems can vary from 10kWo 500 of remte vilages.
pS pipelines and end-user oquipmet while many drop-in liquid biofucls ean use exisking e
gir such
of
kW, In India,
biomass gasifier systems have been seenl of thesmaller size (10-
distribution networks and be used in vehicles with only minor alterations esablished under

bio energy are as follows.

alled Remote Village Electrficatian (RVE) and to Geveest of lndia
vlage Energy Serrity Progyume
Some of the potential applications of
ec Apart from the Govermment programmes, sevenal NGO%
nd corporate have aso
0 Mechanical applications such as water pumping and power generation blished such systems.
) Heat generation Oe of the first successful applications of biomass gasifier for nral electrificaion in an
idmode
is 500 kW gasifier plant set-up at Gosaba island of Sundarban in lndia The
() High efficiency wood burning stoves plut
set-up in 1997 and consists of 5 x 100 k units The gaifiers are closed-top downdraft
(iv) Bio fucls ostems based on woody biomass The plant has dual-fuel
gines The plant senves around
900 consumers
421.1. Water Pumping
Using biomass gas, it is possible to operate a diesel engine on dual fucl mode-part icsel Grid-connected biomass gasiflier based power plant:
and part biomass gas Diesel substitution of theorder of 75% to 80% can be obtained at nominal There are some examples of grid-connected biomass gasifier pomwer plans Thee ae
loads The mechanical energy thus derived can be used either for energizing a water pump set t.
tively large sized gasifier with capacities ranging in bundreds of A ypical example of
power plant situated at Sulthanpet, Coimbalors,
for irigational purpose or for coupling wih an alternator for electrical power generation ha type of power plant is Arashi Hitech Bio
3.5 AW-10 A
f Tmilnadu It is a gasifier based power plant linked the Sate grid
to In the fint phase, an 800

a low speed marine diesel engine in July 2002 The

Tgasitier system was integrated with
at an average load of 600 W fbr carty 000
4.21.2 Electricity Generation plant has operated in the dual -fuel mode
is 6% with specifie
bionass
average liquid fossil replacement recorded
For generating the electricity, the producer gas from biomass is utiliscd. Al types of he dual-fuel engine has bem neplaced wih
5
ption Recently,
being [Link] he
gasifiens described in carlier section can provide producer gas for combustion purposes
the sake of simplicity up-draught gasifiers are preferred in small systems (below 1 MW
bu r 30Wproducer gas engines.
power) while fluidised bed gasifiers are appropriate in power ranges
thea 9Blomass gasifler for captive power generation: power
above this level usod as captive
or an institute
are usaaly
For generating the electricity, cleaned Biomass an industry mills wih rice
the producer gas from the biomass gasifier is fint gasifier plants in been put-up in
rice
peration unit. of
systems have
and cooled and then it is uscd as a fuel in an IC engine, In India, a large number
produces electricity.
A generator coupled to the
e asthe feed material for gasifiers

22

22
 Renewable
Energy Syuten
452 Mobile
Applications
or Heat Generation
421.1 Thermal Applications n-draught t gasifiesfuelledby wood
retrofited aredryerssfor ddrying use of dow
which gasifier could be tea,flower, The or charcoal
few ef the devices to
is [Link] echniqu oper cans, laries,
A

boats and
ships has proved
non-ferrous metals, bojl
spices, kilns for baking tiles or potterics, fumaces for meting nis F
s cely being udiad
bs,
biomass has been recognicd as an important
g tractors (Switzerland, France, Finland, Neherandsj
process steam, ete. Direct combustion of

as lat
wel s small
for generation of power by utilization of enormous amount t of agricultural residues,
po pipines)and lorries (Sri Lanka). vs bots d

industrial residues and forest wastes Gasifiens

can be used for power generation and avail mobile applicationss present a
Houever, umber ofadditional
diffek
upto a capacity S00 4 onary units pered with
A veny larpe
mber of mic, small and mediu enterprises (MSME) use biomass a the first
place, constraction neods so
be
co ligh
fssile fucls for generating heat With coatinued rising prices of fossil fuels poble in order
well as the vehicke ot ace

wih their scarcity in open market may these small and are facing serious problems in
svely the hauling capacity of
f
controlling fael cost and as result kecping competitive pricing for existence in the
a madet the second
place, mobile applications tend to operale
wih firly large variations in
load. Under a given set of
gne (and i gasifier) circmas(pecialylong idlng period
Gasification technology oflers them an option to have all benefits of gaseous fuels uing ad to tar formation and clogging of coolercleanens and emgines as commesly occund
comparativetly cheaper locally vailable solid biomass fuel. There are a variety of fuel-fred
aring the Second World War.
furnaces that are ideal candidates for switching over to producer gas from biomass. These are
listod in the table below.
eelcations on trains and boats suffer less fom weight and load onstraint nd fe hs
n give better results

Type Application Tenperature (°)

Engines retrofitted with gas producens show an ppreciable loss of mimunpower and
Forging furnace 1200-1250 very on the geographical situation (flat or hilly terain) as well as oe the
l depend
h of
much

he driver whether the vehicle can be operted sutisfactorily

Re-rolling mills
900-1200
Whether these disadvantages will be balancd by the betir ecanomy of gasifer felled
Direct fired process Food, textile, paper, printing, chemical, rubber, plywood and on the cost and avaability
heaters plastic industries. port vehicles depend entirely on the local sihution, especially

Dryers Paper, cardbourd, wood and lumber, textile, ceramie, tobacca,

xtrol and diesel oil.
plastic, pain, food and pharmaceutical industries.
High Efficiency Wood Burning Stoves
Kilns Cypsun, vitreous china-plumbing fixture, brick and structural consumption They roduce drudgy of
Ihese stoves save more than 50% fuel wood They o

clay and concrete industries and consequent health hazds

aving time in cooking and fuel collection
mployment
of forests They also crete
Ovens Low-temperature (ranging between 20 to 370C) cooking baking saving firewood leading to conservation
curing, or o vulcanize nubber or plastic. The food industry uses tunities for people in the rural arcas.
ovens to bake bread, cookies, crackens, pretzels, while the rubber
and plastic industries use the lower temperature heat produced 6.
BioFuels
can be oonverted
directlyinto liquid fes
ovens in the production of tires, footwear, hosiery, and rubber Ualike
othcr renewable energy Sources, bimass and trains)
The te
belts (eg an belts) bio buses, aiplanes
fucls for our transportation needs (cars, trucks,
Small boilers Bu
oommon biadesel.
Various industries ypes of
bio fuels are ethanl and

23

23
 Renewable
Energy Syan

Biodiesel produced by plants such

as rapeseed (canola), sunflowers and soybeans e 2Reduction zone and
can be burneddicsel engines and buses. Biodiesel
in . Distillation zone.
extracted and refined into fuel which
greases
also be made by combining alcohol with vegetable oil or recycled cooking oxidation zone, the oxygen the
used as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions (typically 20%) or
in its pure form e
edet
in air-slcam
blast
carbonao form hydrogen and carbonn monoxide. resctswihhecabon
renewable alternative uel for diesel engines. oxidation
o
inhe
ul
CO coming from reduced
in he ducie one
relies on the water-gas shift reaction,
2 BIOMASS GASIFIERS apostio The
fal g
The word gasification implies the coeversion of solid fuel into a gaseous fuel by a them C0+ HO
chemical method without leaving any solid carbonaceous residue. Gasifier is an equipmem
co+H
distillation zone, the raw fuel preheated
a the is
which converts biomass into producer gas Most common raw materials are given below md
cabonizod by
-condensable gases. gving of condeable

1. Wood chips
Twigs and sticks
2. Coconut shells wood savings Stalks and Dry waste
from
packing wood
3. Straw waste
Foot of -swms
-paperpp industries
coftton loor
4 Rice husk Castor

Gasification involves the partial combustion and reduction operations of biomass In a

Biomass Peces and duks)
typical combustion process, the cambustion products mainly carbon dioxide, water vapour,
nitrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen pass through glowing layer of charcoal for the
reduction process to occur. The composition of gas production depends on the degree of
Biomass
equilibrium among various reactions.

LGasifier reactions: Drying

The following reactions are occurs during the gasification
Pyrolysis
C+O: Co, + 393800 kg mol (combustion)
C+ H0 C0+H-31400kgmol(water gas) Oxidation

C0+Ho CO, +H+ 41200 Llkg mol (water shift reaction) Reduction

C+CO 2 00- 172600 kIkg mol

Gas Gas
C+2 HO CO,+2 H-78700 kLlkg mol

Ash
C+2 H CH + 75000 LNkg mol (Methane reaction)
2 Chemistry of the gasificatlon process:
Schematic diagrum efa psjer andas in
The chemical rcactions in a gasifier are classified into three zones. Fgure 4.I6 and oils

hrolysis (estructive distillation) )converts organic

wastesto char,
axidation
tr and
redaction.
[Link] zone pyrolysis,
i 4.16,four Le. drying
separate zones are shown

24

24
 RenewBbie
462 EeYSyn
can handle a wide range
of
Although a fuidised bed gasifier
bionass fuels shoowws
no more than Figure 4.21 the spplications
c in length and must have 65% noisture of the biomas
particles must be less than 10 cotten paifer
The fuidised bed design produces
a pa wih low ar content but a higher
valae of sedin rural arcas especialy for providing haft line power Seallsie paifens (up so k
particl to agicutural pumps
is compared with fed-bed designs oing machinery and agicultural processing
machineries. therby
Medium size gasifiers (10 AW-5 W) meet
e shaft
APPLuCATIONS OF BIOMASS GASIFER as saw lne power requiements of
Ka industries such mills, carpentry
mills They can also find some
workheps, mechanical vaios
fibrication shogs as
The potential applications of
the biomass gasifier can be analysed on the basis of s sall rice
extosive apglications well

energy roquirements in a pticular application.

PROBLENS IN DEVELOPMENT OF BiOASS GASIFERS
De major problems Occur in the develogment of gasifers
COPY 1. Fuel supply and cost
2 Capital costs and Economics
3. Technology development
SPECIMEN
4. Safety
5. Market barriers
L Fael supply and cost
The fuel requirements for gasifiers vary
fom L0 13 Ay degesding on the feed
Pperties such as moisture content, calorific vale and h content 100 W d 300
yslems require approximatcly 8Su MT and 2550 MT of feed espectively.

2Capial costs and economics:

Is important to evaluate how gasifiers compete against oher chnologies le

cinsidering cconomics, the capital, present charges for eergy, operating cost, capacity
hlization, etc., become important factors

L Teckaolagy development

The areas further needed developments in gasifiersae given below.

W
ridging and jamming
can also fnd
inside or outside gasifiers They
B the landling of feed and ash eiher
source electrical energy in milk chilling cesten
e
application asa decentralized of
as urban indsties besides
2Wand above) are used in rual as well
e
gasifiens (S0 dairy, oilmill mieral
a used in
ing a source electrification is cam be
of decentralised e Theie gasifiens
industrics,
Rcesing, brick manufacturing ceramics and potery drilling
Figure 421 Appllcations o proceing unin, well
ef gasifler ed in mining operations, forest based wood

25

25
 Renewable Energy
Sysm
484 feedstock k conversion system comprises
The boilens(stoker,
a gas collection CFB,BF8,
gar clean ap sstems: digesters with ds),paifes
b) Lack efproven
fast wearing ofengine and
pistons. This
sinturn resuts treatment sy stems for AD ystems
system
s
wellasthe pas
clening systens
for gasifiers
d
Tar build up on the valves and e Electricalbaiance
frequent overhaal of the system dps control and monitoring systems of he plant incades
ection and mover the power generation bt sot any cost for extending trnsmission yid
systems,
Lack fdata to carrotprper modcatios
in alr
fel micing Theprime is technologyndincades ny
c) inas
particulate matter, filters etc.
e

etc. As it can secn,

be
in-line elements
the prime mover, feestodk
4 Safery: hhsology and fecdstock preparation and 1handling machinery coevenion
scoount for between
proper C0 metering arangementwell as safety devices needs to be proid
as costs foor the biomass power genertion. 62% and
%of the capital
A

the systcms The system also needs a provision to divert the

gas to stack in an emer
tal installed cost range inchading ail balance of plant equipment (e g electrical,
shutdown
kndling. civil works)
as well as owners costs inclading
consaltncy, design
fl
d woking
Table 4.5.
S Market barriers: agtal presented in
is

The known technologies and comventional fucls can pose problems for gasfier marketing
Thle 4.4 Preportion of capital cost ef ifferent biomas puwer geserulion technulegies
The gasification system suppliers must convince the potential users that the cost is worthy
and

there is no risk of operating a new technology. Item Stoker FlaidiedGasiflerAnaerobic

Bed bole
digater

C6 ECONOMICS OF BIOENERGY Consultancy/Design 19% 9%

4
The economics of biomass-based power generation system is calculated by evaluating Civil works 13% 14% 195% 19%

various costs involved in producing the bio energy. A power plant should generate a reliable
Fuel Handling /Preparation 14% 15%
supply of electricity at a posble minimum cost to the imvestor and consumer.
Electrical / balance of plant 13% 16%
For the success and commercialization of any power generation technology, it is essential
6296 31%
to know whether the tochnology is economically viable or not. Therefore, it is essential o Converter system (gasifier) 37% 37%

evaluate the economics of biomass power generation. Prime Mover 48%

In the economic analyss, the cost of generation is determined by the following costs runge for diferent biomass
power generatien echmgies
Tahle 4.5 Installed capital cost
Jssalled capal cost
4.26.1. Capital investment Cost Power generation
nge (LSSAW)
The capital investment cost of biomass power generation includes the cost of gasifet. technology
engine generator, civileonstruction work and installation, biomas preparation unit, syngs I700-4300
Stoker
clean-up unit, clectricity distribution stwork, and clectrical and piping connection to the st 2200-4500
of the gasifier installation. Fluidized Bed boiler
2200-5700
Diflerent projects will have different requirements for cach
of these componens Gasifier 2700-640g
infrastructure requirements/ improvements in particular being very project-sensitive. Anaerobice digester
Tan
prescnts a brcakdown of
the typical cost structure of different power
biomassn

technologies.

26

26
 Renewable Energy
System
466 costs. The
astonand transportation
I
density
peration and Malntenance (O&M) Cost to of the
forery arising
A
4.262
associated with the operation of of transport required to delivet a
gvenenergy
to the fxed and variable costs bioma has a direct
ORM cost refers dennsity of biomass feed-stocks reqiremest impact on
and wages, cost of repair (i tends
fired power generation plants OAM
cost inclades salaries lo transgot telimit for splunt
t

etaspert
miscellaneous expenses), fixed
cost,
fuel cost, cost of lant that itis economical Ito the distance
The low
feed-lock. cas from a
spare part, water, lbrication, ad avernge income tax, average power plant, meaning that biomass place a biomas
linit onthe seale
catalyst, chemicals and waste dispesal, capital depreciation, biomass struggesto
generating plant because tke of
on investment, insurance, overhauling equipnent
cost, cost of administrative offioes sak
theg
in large quantities
oflow-cot
avantags te
of econemies
facilities. feed-stock
areas, utilities, and other essential and nonessential auxliary cost considerationss for Enot
Other important biomass feed-stock ilable
requires before t
can be used inclade
Fixed OM costs can be expeessed
as a percentage of capital costs. For biomas asy 1o fuel
ies of scale in biomass feedstock
he power plant. the preparstion
Analysis suggests the
cost per vear niicantt econom
plants, they bypicalh range from 1% to 6% of the initial capital investment t preparation and
handing The
that fhere are
of labour, scheduled maintenance. irpreparation and handling can represent around capital costs
4.6). Faed 0&M costs consist o 20% %
of tutalivestnent
equipment Rer planttfor the system
capacity moreethan 550
coponentiequipment replacement (for boilers, gasifiers, feedstock handling
costs of
onnesldy fhe

insurance, ete. Iflarger is the plant, the lower will be the specifie (per kW) fixed O&M co biomass resources are mutiple s rice stra, rice
The
husks, bagasse, wood
because of the impact of economies of scale, particularly for the labour required. Variahl paper mill waste. In India,
busshes and
waste, wood.
ll smallscale gasifier
ORM costsdepend on the output of the system and they are usually expressed as a value dgrid-connected applications are relatively systsfor eff-grid, mingid
saccessfu and as muchas
unit of outpu (USDE They nchade non-biomas fuels costs, ash disposal, unplauned 28 MWwere
installed
costs. 2008 in industry and upto 80 MY in rural syslenms
maintcnance, equipment replacement and incremental servicing
Table 4.7 presents price estimates for biomass feedstocksin Inda
Table .6 Fasd and variahe operations and maintenance costs for biomass power
Table 4.7 Biomass
feedck prices
Power generation Fixed O&M(%ef Variable 0&M
lecknole nsfalledcast) (USSMWh) Biomass feedstock Price
Stoker 3.2-4.2 3.8-4.7 LSS/tne)
Flaidized Bed boiler 3-6 3.8-4.7 Forest residues 15-30
Gasifier 3-6 3.7 Wood waste 10-50
Anacrobic digester 23-7 4.2 Agricultural residues 14-34

Energy crops 28-58

4.26.3. Feedstock Costs
Fecdstock costs or fael costs is the unit price of biomass and supplementary fuel, ie
CLA Economic Parameters for Biomass Power Plant
diesel. It is well-known that unlike wind, solar and hydro, the biomass electricity generation
options tlat eit for checking he fscal
requires a feedstock which shouid be produced, collected, transported and stored. The economie analysis, among the various
Net Preset Vale
lormance of an investment, the LevelizedI Generaion Cot (LCC) nd
economics of biomass power generation are critically dependent upon the availabiliy ofa checking the viabilily of
N)are the clectricity industry for
n
secure and long-4erm supply of appropriate biomass feed-stock at a competitive cost. recommended indicators in the potential and alys
etrlizedlellectricity generationn system The meris andthe cconomic parametens:
Feed-stock costs can represent 405% to 50% of following
he total cost of clectricity produce thebiomass evalated in terms of the
lowest cost feed-stock is typically agricultural residues such as gasification ttechnology can be
straw and bagasse Tro project.
cane as these can be collected at harvest. For forest arising., the cost is dominated 0 worth of
the entire
y Net FPresent
Vaue (NPV): Itsthe preseat

27

27
 Renewable Energy
Syat
468 Fraction
benefits from the project which are in proportioe K of the capital
(i) Benefir Cost Ratio (BCRI: t the
is
repair and cot of biomspower
maienance, plat ssed the
with the costs invoved. building
CF = Capacity factor senices,
insrace, fr
(i) Pahack Periot PBP: histhe years get the investment backe
which will take to Mo,
Numbert ofmanpower
nd ss
net present value of all costs egualk
the project, ie. the year in which the egungd
as he minimum nerl W, Wage rate for manoower.
present value of all benefits It could also be defined
which the investment for the project is recovered. Annual revenue (AR) from the sale of electricity is gven by
It is the real retum of the project or the maximum
Rehurm IRR):
aternal Rate
of

(iv)
of interest at which capital can be arranged for the project. AR -
parameters are given below:
The expressions for calculating various economic
whereC= Total capitalivestment caut
0 Total ivestment cost is given by Life of plant in years
CCo +C +C+Ca+C+Ca Pereentage of initial ivestmet Ser annul opering
where CaCost of gasifier maintenance costs d
CCost prime mover of

of
civil work
Real rate of return
Coy Cost
by
() Cost of fuel is given
C- Cost of electricity,acoessories, auxiliaries, and miscellaneous
C -8760 xCFx PaxCxSFCR
Cost of fuel (biomass)
biomass
C- Cost
of

Additional costs (labour, repair and maintenance, building where

power or installed output
services, stores, insurance, and taxes costs) PRated
SFCR- Specifie fuel consumption rale
(G) Operating and maintenance cost is given by
generated is gven by
Cru Koy Coy + K C+ KC+ K C The cost of one biomass gasification cloctricity
M Ka Co+ Kn
t M
kWh of

+(8760 x CFx Mp. W)

AR
NP, C,
where KG Fraction of dhe capital cost of biomass power plant used for tie
capacity
operation and maintenance of gasifier where PA =Plant installed
thecapital cost of biomass power plant used for ofthe plat
Fraction Annual operational bour
of
Kr
N= givenby
operation and maintenance of prime mover
sent out by the
power platin kWhet is
e ) Annual amount ofclectricity (E)
Ko= Fraction of the capital cost of biomass power plant used for
x P x
CFx
operation and maintenance of civil work
£8760
Ka Fraction of the capital cost of tbiomass power plant used for
Marginal loss factor
operation and maintenance of accessories and miscellaneous where MLF=
power consumpion by te xilaries
used for the
K

Fraction of dhe capital cost of biomass power plant oPercentage

purchase of fuel and fuel handling

28

28
 Renewable
470 EnorgySyin Nominal
cost
(o) Beneft delivered annually by the plant is given by Nominal cost
ofequity
R. on dee
B.-ExC Total market
valoe in
payback period of the project gven by
(vThe is
structureeof abiomas
peimated cost gasifcaion
glant
is greeed
Table 448 Estimated cost nTle4&
i structure
PRP - ofbiamsgusifleon
Installed Icapacity of thee biomass plat
asidiction glant
net prset value (NP)of the project is Annual hour of operation
(o The given by

LIfe in years of plant

Biomass in tons dry massyear
Biomass gasification system capital
The econamic viabilzy s etablished hen the NPV is greater than 0 iveme $276500
Interest on value of the machinery 000
and equigment
0 The benefit cost ratio (BCR) given by
i Depreciation $3450,0
Annual labour cost $S300,000
$21900,000
Annual repair and maintenance cost
Insurance and taxes SKJ000
$2700.000
Total biomass costlyear
The project is acoeptabie if BCR is greater than 1.
$10300,000
Total Cost
() The internal rate of retun (RR) is determined $3655.0o
from the following model using numerical Annual Electricity production from the plant 170.294000
methods soch as Newto-Raphson:
Cost of operation per hour
S84375
Benefit delivered annually s94345,016
Net Present Value of the benefit S87211J21
() Levellized cost ofelectricity
is gives by Net
Present Value of operation and mantenance cost S407751,230

LCE-
, +0-TXC, + M)/0+4 Accumulated Net Present Value of all the cost S83301,230
S220642,467
EAEI+df-jd0+4y) Net Present Value of the project
Benefit Cost Ratio L00
where T Company x rate Payback period of investment
19.19yars

d- Inflation-adjusted discount rate

lnteral rate of return
W s0S775
Market value oncquity Levellized cost of kWh of gasification electriciy
in %
Market value on debt in generated
% $4L,666511
Annual revenue from the sale of
clectricity

29

29
 Renewabie
Eneray Sy
in p water resourcessharning
Cost of Biomass Energy in India eds garbage eony
45 This
eould be ned for valoristion eme 4n
The capital cnt of intallation ofhagse haed eo-generation projects in the nge nd

depending pon echaical, financial l and operating t na

45to Rs 50 Crore/ poranetenf biferlan
Ra

Costs of peneration are expected to vary from Rs 325 to 3.754#h depending spon ess
wdely available seurce e
of energ
d r
lad fctor and iterest on tern loan The Piant Load Facter (PLF) of bagase coge Biomass i widely available energy
soce
The soes
projects is abot 45%55% In cae of biomss power plants, the capital cost of instl aqaculture..algae and wwte. Many e bo
ane
R5 to 55 Chanel, depending uo
hoiker pressure and capacity, costs of gen
snies,
enntal character f energy soroes
of
erg apet
ge e shesges, try.
bimisn pof te
combined,
arvund Rs 3.50 o Rs 4.004m The PLFofbiomas power projects is about 70%-79% B
ergy
sources
e
onni d
peration and maintenance ependure (clading isurance) is at Rs.0.40 Crore/
litone te of

annual escalation of S.72% om seoond year) oe plant and machinery by reckoning g MARK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
he capital oost as the ost of plant d machinery. Gross Calorifie Value (GCV) is in the ra
LFhattde you
understandAby srre energy
kouses
of 3100-3600 ealr Specife fael consumption is a function of GCV, the specife
zero-energy building also
consumption works out te 20 gk. Fuel costas prescribed by the government as on 1 is knows
ybailding (NZEB). It refers toabuilding ntergy ZNE,
hngo
4-2017 is R29203T wi S% escalation pa wih
st mergy onsngtion and
abon emissions annualy.
S27. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITs OF BIOENERGY hat à blomass and biomass energy?
Biomass benefits are still subject of mary debates when compared with Blomass is organic matter prodaced
other renewahle by plt, boh emeal (hose gpo on
energy soures Hoever, biomas daquatic (those grown lnd
has many advantages over fossil fuels due to redution of in water Eg Wood
g
the amouat of carbo emissios The major eviroomental benefits of biomass are as follows: dbained from biomass is called biamas energ
d Agie id The

a) Biomas renwle energy source I hat are thetwo major classifications of Miom
euat
L Biomass from cultivated ficlds, crops,
The benefit
frtd arvesl peridally
of
biomass energyis that biomass is renewable source
of energy and it cannot
be depleted Biomass motly derived from plants
ie, as long as plants are going to be on tha 2 Biomass derived from waste e nniipal wa indl dg frt w
planet, biomass will be available s renewable energy source.
agricultural waste and bioproces wat
) Biomss heps cliale changr by redacing greenhouse gases: 4Classif the bio-mass resources
Biomass helps reduce the amount of GlHG
that give more impact to global warming and
climate change The biomass emissions level is far snaller compared to
fossil fuels. The basic Lat out the resources of biomss
difference betwocn biomass and fossil fucls when comnes amount
it to of carbon emissions is 0 Forests
all the CO which has beon absorbed by plant far its growth is going
back in the atmosphere () Agrieultural residaes
during its burning for the peoduction of biomass energy. While
the CO, peoduced from
fosl (i) Energy crops
fuels is going to atmonphere wheretincrcases grecnhouse
effect
(c) Cleaner eavironment (a) Sugarcane
) oil producing plants
Biomass energy helps to clean our environment. Worid
population is constantly incrcasing
which in turn produces more wastes These wastes (v) Aquatie plants
needs to be properly disposed. Many
0 Urban waste.

30

30
 Renewable
Energy
474 Sys photoyathesis
Meation the advantages of omass eneg f
fundamental eoeversionproces
S

Thefund
renewable source. ingees
Itsa are ovets
solar energy into biomass energy. platsisphtosyesia
2. The pollutant emissions from combustion of biomass usually lower carboltydrates such as sugar in
the green leaf consists Phtosyshesis
fossil fuels
ha process. It is the process
x ia the proence ofof uiling ef single v
snpley of combining slight,
3.
Commercial use of biomass may avoid or reduce the problemssof waste
disposal aogen and
carbohyydrates (sugar,
starches celuloses wer
CO,
energg d i Ptoyeis
nd hemiceloses) to probuce
in other industries. the, necessary conditions fer
APhat are photeynthei prscest
4. Use of biogas plants apart from supplying clean gas also leads to improvsl .
Lighe: t is one of the important
inputs for
stabilized sanitation, biomass
CO: concentration: production.
2. Itisthe primary raw
5. The orestry and agricultural industries which supply feed stocks also nensia material
for photo
3. Temperature: Photosynthesis is vyhesis
substantial economic development opportunities in rural areas. restricted to
thelenpeturc
The energy storage is an in-built feature of it. doww the various biomass ceRversion precesses raegttoC.
6 Lt
1. Physical process
& What are the sadvantages ef biomass energy?
2. Agrochemical process
Itis dispersed and land intensive source.
1.

Itsoften of low energy density. 3. Thermochemical processes

2
3. It is also labour intensive and the cost of collecting large quantities of biomass a) Direct combustion
for commercial application is significant. b) Carbonisation
7. What are the diferent forms ef
biomass available as biofuets? c) Pyrolysis
Anna Unis. Nov'21)
d) Gasification
1. Fuel wood
2. Charooal e) Liquefication
4. Biochemical process
3. Fuel pellets
4. Bio-ethanol a) Anaerobic digestion
5. Bio gas b) Ethanol fermentation.
6. Producer gas and7. Vegetable oils (bio-diesel). 2 Wht are briquetting and pelletisation?
Densification is caried out by
& How Bio-gus is obtained? What is the compasition ef Bio-gas? Briquetting is the process of compressing balling
Nov compression under a die.
Anna Unis. Nov'19& 22|
extractod in the fom of
in which wood is compressod and
Biogas is a gaseous fuel obtained from biomass by the process of
anaerobic digestion Peletisation is a process fpelletisation sto mduce the
purpose of p
(Fermentation). rods(5-12 mm diameter and 12 long) The m

longer tranportation
of wood for
Methane (CH) - oisture contents and increase the energy density
55 to 60%
haulage.
Carbon dioxide (CO:)
35 to 40%
Hydrogen (H) L What is carbonization? by emoving
5% carbon product
flow to foma high
H;S and O, Traces. is heated with a restricted air
Wood
volatile materials Ias carboniation
from. It is termed

31

31
 Renewabie
EnergySysten
47 phase.
Methane
14 Dfine prolsi.
a thermochemical
decomposition of organie material advantages of anaerobiec digestion.
rsie
s

oxygen or with restricted air or oxygen supply.

t elevated
can as ann energy
lemperatures in the absence of It invoves I. It be used soarce
composition andI physical phase and steam to produce
the simulaneous change chemical it isirrevensible New
of 2. sludge production occurs nd wter.
becauseof
fhe coeenion
Whar afermentation? methane and CO. of organic
Is mateto
of complex molecules
Fermentaion is the process of breaking down 3. It has low running cost
enzymes ele
compound under the influence of ferment such as yeast, bacteria, 4.
It produces less odour

16 What s meant by gasification? The sludge can act as a soil conditioner

Garification of biomas is thermal
decomposition in the presence of controlled
air. dhe aerobie digestion of organke waste by 3
stges la
is the convernsion process of solid carbonaceous fuels into combustible gas mixtures knoe achedcal prcessing
as prodcer gas. It is also referred to as wood gas, water gas and synthesis gas

17. What does steam pesiflication refert Oygen

Methane is directly produaced from woody matter by treating them at high temperatum Respiraton
NH
and pressure with hydrogen gas. Micro
organisms Energy End groduc
IR Define iquefaction.
0
Liqcfaction is the process of maximizing liquid yiclds by rapid heating of feed stock

to comparatively low emperature. HO

Synthesis
19. Mention the
te processes ef liquefaction of
biomas
More
miogaims
(a) Liquefaction through pyrolysis without any gasification medium and
(b) Liquefaction through methanol synthesis with gasification medium. Fgure 4.22 Aerobic ligestion process
20 What is anaerobic digestion prcess? How does anaerobic igestion take place? A What do you mean alcoholic fermentation?
in the
In anaerobic digestion, biogas is produced by the bacterial decomposition of we decomposition biomasof

Aleoholic fermentation
or
ethanol fermentation is the
sewage sludge, animal dung or green plants in the absence of oxygen. An anacrobe isa action of
sugars in sçueous solutios by the
abscnce of air and simple hexose (CH0)
microorganism which lives and grows on biomass at low temperature (< 65°O Th
yme present in yeast in acidic conditions.
anaerobie digestion process breaks down the organic matter into simpler orane
% Define biogas.
compounds. The final product is a mixture of methane (CH), carbon dioxide (CO:) and proces of unaerobic digetion
biomass by the
some trace gases known as biogas. gaseous fuel obtained from
Diogas is a
produced from cow dung
21. ementation). It is generally JAnnu Uial
Nw20
Lit dowm the phases invalved in anaerobic digestion generation ef biagas?
() Hydrolysis
are
the ffactors that affect the biogas
peoduction At higher

the
factar affecting main
() Acid phase and Temperature is the produced
can be
emperature only, maximum lbiogas

32

32
 Renewable
Ener9Y
478 as
Syt
It requires less cost compared
such 2. A
There are some other factors afecting the biogas generation to a floating rum
3. Cattle, human eexcreta type.
and long
) Carbon to nitrogen (CN) ratio fbrs lls ca be fod
pH value
4 It does not need maintenance
()
the disadvantages offied dome pe digester.
Compression ratio
(i) Gas production
() Solid retention time perof hedgeter volumeis aho
les
2. It produces a variable gas pressu
() Mixing
3. It requires skilled masons.
(v) Solids type
and Scum formation isa problem if no
(vi) location and type of tank material, stiring arangement is made,

Total solid concentration Mention ther advantages effloating drum digesier.

(vi) R

1
27. What are the main features
ef
continmous process biogas? thas less trouble because solids are constantly
submerged

trequires small digestion chambers 2 thas no problem of gas leakage

2 will continuously produce gas. 3. Higher gas production per m ofthe digester volme is achieved.
3. t has fewer problems compared to
a
batch type. 4. Constant gas pressure is obtained
4 tneeds leser period of digestion. M Sate the disadvantages offloating drum digester.

28 What are the materials ssed for bio-gas generation?

1. Itis not suitable for colder regions because of heat lost trough the metal holdet.

L.
Animal wastes 2. It has higher cost.
2.
Human wastes 3. It requires painting once or twice a yea depending on the humidity of the

3. Agricultural wastes location.

gas pipe.
4. It requires maintenance in flecible pipe joining arca and main
4 Waste of aquatic origin.

28. What s kydrolyss? 3K Define gas yield.

volatile matter destroyed or the portion of the volaile
In organic wastes, carboly drates are mostly in the form of cellulose and other Biogas yield is the amount of a comparatively short time.
being decomposed within
components of plant fibre. Hárolsis is the technology which converts cellalose into atter content which is capable of
alcobols through fermentation
34 What is Biomass Gasifier? What are their uses? wood waste,
a variety of biomass such
34. What serobic digestion process? How does aerobie digestion take place? which can gasify
i Gasijfier is the equipment
roots of various crops, maize oobs, ete.
Aerobie digestion process involves the decomposition of organic wastes in cultural waste, such as stallks and
presence of oxygen (air) This process involves
the oxidation of biodegradabe Uses power generatng
microbial cellular matter by aerobic microorganisns resulting in overall reduction indestries, and
are used in sawmills, wood cutting
mass of sludge and generation of
finite amount
Biomass Gasifier power to the remote
arcas
stabilized cell mass. Products fro
of

used for supplying

process inclade COs sectors Also, they can be
ammonia (NH, water and heat.
31. What are the advantages 7. What are the advantages of a gasijier
offied dome type digester? very easy to operatethe
gasitier
. It has no
corrosion trouble.
1.
Itis

33

33
 Renewable
480 Enery Systen
are the advantages and disadvantages
2. Maintenance is casy #hat of biomasseergy
: Refer chapter
It is reliable in operation 4.12 on Page
3.
43
various biomass fuels
38 What k the classification of hiomass gusifiers?
Refer chapter
1. Small size gasifiens. 4.1.3 on Page 43
2. Medium size gasifiers. Eplain the process "Photosynthesis What are
theconditions necesary
3. Large size gasifiers. Refer chapter 42.1 on Page
45 fr i
4. Very large gasifiers.
Discussthel biomass conversiontechnologies
and explain
39. What are the three major desigas offued bed gasifiers? y one
in detil
1 Up draught Refer chapter 43 on Page 4.6. Anna
U Nov 22)
2. Down-draught
se short notes on pre-treatment of biomas
3. Cross draught
Refer chapter 4.4.1 on Page 47,
4. What s equivalence ratio?
1 Describe the various methods of (biomass densification
Weight
and vpgrading
ofoxygen uel
Equivalence ratio (ER) Weight of axygen/We Refer chapter 4.4.2 on Page 48
of dry fuel
41. What are the advantages offluidized bed gasifiers? Srile down the advantages and disadvantage of
biomassdensificaion

1. It has good heat storage capacity. Refer chapter [Link] on Page 4.12
4 Sustrate the agrochemical conversion
2. Consistent rate of combustion is obtained. of biomass.

3, Output ate is high. Refer chapter 4.5 on Page 4.12.

42 Lit down the majar problems incurred in the development of gasiiers. L Biefly explain the various thermal gasification processes.
1. Fuel supply and cost Refer chapter 4.6 on Page 4.13
2 Capital costs and Economics L Explain the biomass gasification processin detail.
3. Technology development
4. Safety
Refer chapter 4.6.4on Page 4.16.
a Apr 22)
L Explain
the biochemical processes to comvert biomass into energ Ana
Market barriers

Refer chapter 4.7 on Page 4.19.

4.29. SOLVED QUESTIONS
hat
is biomass digestion? Explain in detail
1. Briefty explain the various
biomass resources.
Refer chapter 4.9 on Page 4.23
limitations
Refer chapter 4.1.1 on Page AExplain advantages and
4.2 the anaerobic process with its
digestion

Refer chapter 4.9.1 on Page 423

34

34