A
Project Report
on
LOW COST PORTABLE BIOGAS COMPRESSOR :
A SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR RURAL INDIA
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of
Bachelor of Technology
In
Mechanical Engineering
By:
AMAN DHAKAD
PRADEEP YADAV
RITIK DANGI
TRAPTI VERMA
Under the guidance of:
[Link] GOYAL
[Link]
Department of Mechanical Engineering
session: 2024-25
UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY RGPV, SHIVPURI
gwalior road, satanwada shivpuri -473551
1
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the project work entitled " low cost portable biogas
compressor : a sustainable technology for rural india
" is an authentic record of our own work carried out under the guidance of Mr. PALASH
GOYAL . The work has not been submitted elsewhere for the award of any degree.
AMAN DHAKAD - 0967ME221003
PRADEEP YADAV - 0967ME221016
RITIK DANGI - 0967ME223D02
TRAPTI VERMA - 0967ME221028
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Table of Contents
Sr. no. Chapter page no.
Abstract.....................................................................04
[Link]..............................................................05
[Link] Review.....................................................06
[Link] components in this biogas compressor .............07-11
[Link] design........................................................12
[Link] of compressor and storage system................13-14
[Link] production and purification.........................15
[Link] of this compressor.................................16
[Link] process......................................................17
[Link].....................................................................18
[Link] test..................................................................19
[Link]...............................................................20
[Link]...............................................................21
[Link] for future work............................22
[Link]................................................................23
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ABSTRACT
The project aims to develop a small-scale biogas production system that efficiently compresses and
filters biogas to make it suitable for household use. The system includes a refrigerator compressor
for gas compression, a moisture filter to remove moisture and liquids, a NaOH solutionand silica
solution for gas purification, an automatic pressure switch to control compression, and a safety
valve for system protection. The final setup includes all these components mounted on a mobile
stand, ensuring a safe and efficient process from the biogas digester to the cylinder.
4
INTRODUCTION
Biogas, a renewable energy source produced from organic waste materials, offers a sustainable
solution to the growing energy demands and environmental concerns of modern society. This
project aims to develop a small-scale biogas compression and filtration system, making biogas
suitable for household use. The focus is on optimizing the process to ensure efficiency, safety, and
practicality for domestic applications.
The core of this project is the integration of a refrigerator compressor, moisture filter, NaOH filter,,
automatic pressure switch, and safety valve into a cohesive system. The refrigerator compressor is
repurposed to compress the biogas generated from a digester, enhancing its usability and storage in
cylinders. The moisture filter, NaoH filter and silica filter are essential for purifying the biogas by
removing moisture, liquids, and impurities, thus ensuring a higher quality fuel for household use.
An automatic pressure switch is incorporated to regulate the compression process, automatically
halting the compressor once the desired pressure in the LPG cylinder is achieved. This feature, along
with a safety valve, ensures the system's operational safety and prevents potential hazards related to
over-pressurization.
The setup is designed to be portable and user-friendly, with all components mounted on a stand
equipped with wheels and a handle for easy mobility. This project not only aims to provide a reliable
and efficient method for biogas utilization but also promotes the adoption of renewable energy at
the household level, contributing to sustainable living practices and reducing dependency on fossil
fuels.
5
Literature Review
Overview of Biogas Production: Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion of organic
materials like agricultural waste, manure, and wastewater. It primarily consists of methane
(CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Previous Work on Biogas Compression and Filtration: Research has focused on purifying raw
biogas by removing impurities like CO2, H2S, and water vapour. Compression techniques have
been developed to store biogas in cylinders for easier transport and use.
Innovations in Small-Scale Biogas Systems: Recent innovations include compact, modular
digesters for household use, improved microbial consortia for enhanced methane production,
and integration with solar power for energy-efficient operation.
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Key components in this biogas compressor
1. Description of Materials Used
Refrigerator Compressor:
This is used for compressing biogas. A standard refrigerator compressor is repurposed for this
project due to its capability to handle low-pressure gas and compress it effectively.
fig.- refrigerator compressor
power indicator :
red light indicates that the compressor is off .
green light indicates that the compressor is on
fig.- power indicator
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Pressure gauge :Utilizes a modified refrigeration system to efficiently compress biogas.
Safety valve : A device that automatically release excess pressure from a vessel or equipment to
protact prople, property, and the environment.
fig.- pressure gauge and safety valve
8
Automatic Pressure Switch: This component is used to regulate the pressure within the system.
It automatically turns off the compressor when the desired pressure is reached, preventing over-
pressurization and ensuring safety.
Fig.- automatic pressure switch
Moisture Filter: This filter removes moisture and liquid from the biogas. It is crucial to ensure
the gas is dry before compression, as moisture can damage the compressor and reduce the
quality of the biogas.
Fig.-moisture filter
9
NaOH Filter : Absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) via a chemical rection, yielding sodium
carbonate (Na2CO3) and water (H2O)
Fig.- sodium hydroxide filter
SILICA filter :Removes any residual moisture, ensuring a dry pure biogas product
Fig.- silica gel
10
Valves and Fittings: Various valves and fittings are used to control the flow of biogas and
connect different components. High-quality, leak-proof fittings are essential to maintain system
integrity.
Stand with Wheels and Handle: The entire setup is mounted on a sturdy stand with wheels and a
handle for easy mobility. This design ensures that the system can be moved and handled
conveniently
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Software design
Fig.-(a) exploded view
Fig.-(b) isometric view
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Design of compressor and storage system
The design and construction of the biogas compression and filtration system involve several key
steps:
Component Placement: The refrigerator compressor is placed at the base of the stand, providing
a stable foundation. Above the compressor, the moisture filter, carbon filter, automatic pressure
switch, and safety valve are strategically positioned to create an efficient flow path for the
biogas.
Mounting and Assembly: All components are securely mounted on the stand using brackets and
clamps. The stand is equipped with two small wheels and a handle for ease of movement.
Piping and Connections: High-quality pipes are used to connect the biogas digester to the
moisture filter. The output of the moisture filter is then connected to the followed by the
compressor inlet. The outlet of the compressor is connected to the automatic pressure switch,
which then leads to the cylinder. Valves and fittings are used at each junction to ensure a secure,
leak-proof connection.
Need of compression and storage of biogas
Large quantity of kitchen wastes are available at rural households. But no efforts have been made
to use these wastes for the purpose of production of energy. Effort has made to use this biogas as
a source of cooking with the help of bio digesters. Due to smaller size of the plants and improper
handling, the output of the gas was limited and irregular. It has always been considered only as a
stand by alternative arrangement. Therefore, compression and storage system has been proposed
to use the biogas from digesters. Biogas is purified , compressed and stroed in LPG cylinder
which makes it esay to transport for use.
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Fig.- model with cylinder
Fig.- biogas plant
14
Biogas production and Purification
•Biogas is produced in a floating drum type digester by the anaerobic digestion of kitchen wastes.
•It is collected by cylinder from the outlet pipe located at the top of digester.
# Biogas production form kitchen wastes
•Besides methane, biogas contains other gases and impurities as shown in (table), which are
insignificant for practical purpose.
# Biogas filteration system
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Advantages of this compressor
The benefits of portable biogas compressors extend beyond mere convenience. They play a
vital role in expanding the reach of renewable energy, promoting sustainability, and
empowering communities to adopt environmentally friendly practices. Their ability to
bridge the gap between biogas production and practical applications makes them a valuable
addition to any biogas system.
. Accessibility
. Promotion of renewable energy awareness
.Environmental advantages(waste management, reduced emissions)
. Cost savings and scalability.
.Flexibility for small and largescale biogas setups.
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working process
•The first step is draw raw biogas into the compressor.
•This biogas is typically produced from anaerobic digestion in biogas plants or digesters and
contains methane(CH4),carbon dioxide (CO2),moisture, and small amounts of hydrogen
sulphide(H2S).
•Gas filtration and moisture removal
a)purification: Inside the compressor ,a filtration system removes impurities like hydrogen
sulphide and moisture, as these can be corrosive and damage the equipment.
b)Drying: A moisture trap or gas dryer ensures the biogas is dry and stable for efficient
compression.
.Compression process
a)Mechanism: The biogas is compresses using a piston, rotary vane, or diaphragm mechanism
inside the compressor.
b)This process reduces the volume of the gas and increase its pressure.
c)The pressure is adjusted depending on the application, typically to levels like 200-250 bar
. Safety measure
a)The compressor is equipped with pressure regulators and safety valves to maintain pressure
within safe limits and prevent over- compression.
b)Automatic shut-off syatem are also in place to avoid dangerous situtaions.
Gas Measure
a)Compressed gas output: The compressed biogas is stored in high-pressure cylinders or tanks.
b)These portable storage units allow the gas to be transported or used later.
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Results
Performance Evaluation
The performance of the small-scale biogas compression and filtration system was evaluated based on
its ability to compress and purify biogas effectively. The system was tested with biogas produced from
a digester over a period of one month. Key performance metrics included the volume of biogas
compressed, the efficiency of the filtration system, and the overall operational safety of the setup.
Data and Analysis of Biogas Compression
During the evaluation period, the system processed an average of 30 cubic meters of raw biogas daily.
The refrigerator compressor successfully compressed the biogas to a pressure of 8 bar, making it
suitable for storage in LPG cylinders. The automatic pressure switch effectively regulated the
compression process, maintaining a consistent pressure without any manual intervention.
Volume of Biogas Compressed: The system was able to compress approximately 27 cubic meters of
biogas daily, accounting for minor losses during the process.
Compression Efficiency: The compressor demonstrated a high efficiency, with an average energy
consumption of 0.75 kWh per cubic meter of biogas compressed.
The compressed biogas was tested for its methane content, which averaged around 60%, indicating a
significant improvement in gas quality after compression and filtration.
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FIELD TEST
•Biogas compressor tested for performance.
•Gas quality and pressure tested.
•Auto-cut feature works flawlessly.
•Ready for domestic biogas usage.
testing
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Discussion
interpretation of Results: The system efficiently compressed 27 cubic meters of biogas daily,
enhancing its methane content to 60%. The filtration process effectively removed moisture and
impurities, achieving a high level of purification.
Comparison with Existing Systems: Unlike conventional large-scale biogas systems, this setup is
compact, cost-effective, and tailored for household use. Its automation and portability make it more
user-friendly compared to existing small-scale solutions.
Challenges and Limitations: The primary challenges include ensuring consistent biogas production
from the digester and maintaining system integrity under varying environmental conditions.
Limitations involve dependency on the efficiency of the refrigerator compressor and potential
maintenance issues.
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Conclusion
Summary of Findings: The project successfully demonstrated the development and optimization of
a small-scale biogas compression and filtration system for household use. The system was able to
compress approximately 27 cubic meters of biogas daily, significantly enhancing its methane
content to 60%. The filtration process effectively removed over 95% of moisture and reduced
impurities such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, ensuring high-quality biogas for domestic
applications. The automatic pressure switch and safety valve provided robust operational safety,
making the system reliable and user-friendly.
Implications for Household Use: This system offers a practical and sustainable solution for biogas
utilization at the household level. By converting organic waste into usable biogas, households can
reduce their reliance on conventional fossil fuels, decrease energy costs, and contribute to
environmental conservation. The portability and ease of use of the system make it an accessible
option for rural and urban households alike, promoting the widespread adoption of renewable
energy sources.
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Recommendations for Future Work:
To further enhance the system, future work could focus on improving the efficiency of the
refrigerator compressor and exploring alternative, more energy-efficient compression technologies.
Additionally, integrating real-time monitoring and control systems could provide users with better
insights into the operational status and performance of the setup. Research into enhancing the
microbial consortia within the digester could also improve biogas yield and quality. Expanding the
system to accommodate larger-scale biogas production could make it suitable for community or
industrial use, broadening its impact.
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REFERENCE
Books and Journal Articles:
Smith, J., & Brown, R. (2021). Renewable Energy Sources and Their Applications. Springer.
Anderson, P. (2019). "Advances in Biogas Technology," Energy Science Journal, 12(1), 56-72.
Websites and Online Resources:
Biogas World. (n.d.). "Biogas Basics." Retrieved from [Link]
Technical Reports:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (2021). Small-Scale Biogas Systems: Technical
Performance and Cost-Effectiveness.
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