BIOGAS PLANTS AND

THEIR ROLE IN SAVING

THE ENVIRONMENT
History of Biogas

•One of the oldest forms of renewable energy

•Marco Polo mentioned the use of the

technology. Probably goes back 2000-3000

years ago in ancient Chinese literature

•The earliest evidence of use in Assyria (10th

century BC)
History of Biogas

•Jan Baptita Van Helmont determined in 1630

that flammable gases could evolve from

decaying organic matter.

• Anaerobic digestion first described by

Benjamin Franklin 1764.

•Count Alessandro Volta in 1776 found a

correlation between amount of decaying

organic matter and amount of flammable gas

• Bechamp, in 1868, reported that the formation of
methane during the decomposition of organic
matter was through a microbiological process.

• Omelianski, in the 1890s, isolated microbes

responsible for the release of hydrogen, acetic
acid, and butyric acid during methane fermentation
of cellulose.
• He also reported that methane perhaps formed
due to micro-organism-mediated reaction
between hydrogen and carbon dioxide

• Later, in 1910, Sohngen seconded Omelianski’s

findings.

• also reported that fermentation of complex

materials occurs through oxidation-reduction
reactions to form hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and
acetic acid.
• demonstrated that hydrogen then reacts with
carbon dioxide to form methane.
• also assumed that acetic acid through
decarboxylation forms methane.

• This assumption remained highly controversial

for decades but is now known to be essentially
correct
• India is credited for having built the first-ever
anaerobic digester, in 1897, when the Matunga Leper
Asylum in Bombay (Mumbai) utilized human waste to
generate gas to meet its lighting needs.

• The first-ever attempt to build a plant to produce

biogas from manure was also made in India, at
Bombay, in 1900, but it was not very successful.
•
• The first success- ful attempt came in 1937, when
S.V. Desai – a microbiologist of the Indian
Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), (then the
Imperial Agricultural Research Institute) –
• conducted studies leading to the commissioning of
a plant which worked satisfactorily for several
years.
• Grama Laxmi III” was developed by Joshbai Patel
(a Gandhian worker from Gujarat).
• It became the prototype for the later day’s Khadi
and Village Industry Commission (KVIC)
floating-dome model
• After a lull, interest in biogas was renewed in the
early 1960s when KVIC implemented and
developed standard biogas plant designs for
capacities varying from 3 to 14 m3d−1 of gas
output.

• During the same period, the government of Uttar

Pradesh, India, established a “Gobar Gas
Research Station” at Ajitmel.
• This station has introduced the “Chinese”
design under the name “Janata biogas plant,”
which is dome-shaped and is drumless.
• The Structural Engineering Research Centre,
Roorkee, has developed and introduced ferro-
cement gas holders instead of steel drums.

• This type of gas holder is believed to be

cheaper, and with a longer life. It is also
claimed to have lesser maintenance costs.
 Introduction
• Biogas is an important renewable energy resource for rural areas in
India.

• It is produced by anaerobic digestion of biological wastes.

• It is an environment friendly, clean, cheap and versatile fuel.

• Biogas generally comprise of 55-65 % methane, 35-45 % carbon

dioxide, 0.5-1.0 % hydrogen sulfide and traces of water vapour.

• Average calorific value of biogas is 20 MJ/m3 (4713 kcal/ m3).

 What is Biogas
• A gas obtained due to anaerobic decomposition of
organic matter (cattle dung)

• It is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen

sulphide, water vapor, oxygen, nitrogen and
hydrogen.
• Biogas has been known as swamp gas, sewer gas,
fuel gas, marsh gas etc.

In India, it is more commonly known as ‘gobar’ gas.

• The digester in which the decomposition takes place

is known as BIOGAS PLANT
Integral farming with a biogas plant
Digesters Around the World (cont’d)

India (ARTI)
Examples of Digesters Around the World

Costa Rica
Digesters Around the World (cont’d)

United States Princeton, Minnesota

Digesters Around the World (cont’d)

KVIC Digester (used in India and China)

 Prototype
Work log of what we did
Design Advantages

Reduction in scum accumulation

Temperature Control
Ease of operation
Durable
Small footprint
Low cost
What Type of Waste Produces Biogas?

• Any organic waste can produce biogas

• Human, manure, fruit and vegetable waste

What Type of Waste Does NOT Produces Biogas?

• Fiber rich waste such as wood, leaves, etc. are difficult to digest
• Heavy metals
• Inorganic materials in high concentration (Nitrate, Sodium, Sulphate, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, etc)
• Biogas like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cannot be liquefied
under normal temperature and pressure.

• Critical temperature required for liquefaction of methane is

-82.1oC at 4.71MPa pressure, therefore use of biogas is limited
nearby the biogas plant.

• An estimate indicates that India has a potential of generating 6.38

X 1010 m3 of biogas from 980 million tones of cattle dung
produced annually.

• The heat value of this gas amounts to 1.3 X 1012 MJ. In addition,
350 million tones of manure would also produce along with
biogas.
 Biogas Technology Status
• India has been pioneering country in developing simple and
easy to operate biogas plants.
• The government of India has been running National Biogas
and Manure Management Program (NBMMP) for the welfare
of the weaker section of the society.
• 100% Biogas engines are in operation in the country.
• 95% methane to make it suitable to be used as a transport fuel
and for blending with natural gas where the gas grid is
available.
• High density polyethylene (HDPE) based complete and
portable family size biogas plants suitable for rural and semi
urban area.
• Other urban waste projects include a 1 MW
project based on cattle dung at Haebowal,
Ludhiana; a 0.50 MW project for generation of
power from biogas at sewage treatment plant at
Surat, Gujarat; and a 150 kW pant for vegetable
market and slaughter house waste and
Vijaywada.

• Another 300 kW project based on vegetable

market waste in under commissioning at
Chennai. Besides, about 25 waste-to-energy
projects with an aggregate capacity of about 30
MW from a variety of industrial wastes also been
setup in the country.
1 MW Power Plant Based on Biogas Generation from Cattle Dung at Ludhiana

Source:Biogas forum E­News letter Jan 2011 Vol 2 No: 01

 Bio-methanation for Treatment of Solid Waste at Slaughter House in Andhra Pradesh

The project was set up for biogas generation from about 60 tpd of solid waste produced in a slaughter house handling

about 1500 buffaloes and sheep per day in the year 2002. About 2600 m3 biogas is generated per day besides about 7 tpd

of rich organic manure. Biogas generated from the project, set up at a total cost of about Rs.3.75 crore has provided a

means of slaughterhouse waste disposal in economically viable and environmentally benign manner.
Source:Biogas forum E­News letter Jan 2011 Vol 2 No: 01
 Biomethanation Plant for Treatment of Bagasse Wash Water in Tamil Nadu

The first ever projects of its kind, set up for treatment of wastewater generated from washing of bagasse, has turned out to

be a money spinner for Tamil Nadu Newsprints and Papers Ltd., Karur. The project with a capacity of generating about

16000 m3 biogas per day replaces about 8000 litres of furnace oil a day against the consumption of sizeable quantum of

energy for treatment of this wastewater in the past.

Source:Biogas forum E­News letter Jan 2011 Vol 2 No: 01
Source:Biogas forum E­News letter Jan 2011 Vol 2 No: 01
 Status of biogas development in
India
• Total potential of biogas plants based on cattle dung
in India: 1,23,39,300
• Biogas plants installed as on 31-12 2009 : 41,85,442
• % of total potential exploited : 33.9
 State/ Union Estimated Cumulative Percentage of
Territories Potential achievements* Biogas Plants
(Nos. of as on installed
Biogas 31/12/2009 against total
Plants) potential
S No
1 Sikkim 7300 6926 94.9
Maharashtra 897000
2 773410 86.2
3 Kerala 150000 124202 82.8
4 Mizoram 5000 3770 75.4
5 Gujarat 554000 404973 73.1
6 Karnataka 680000 411241 60.5
7 Nagaland 6700 3743 55.9
8 Goa 8000 3878 48.5
9 West Bengal 695000 305760 44.0
Andhra 1065000
10 Pradesh 452499 42.5
11 Orissa 605000 235393 38.9
 Arunachal 7500
Pradesh
12 2818 37.6
Himachal 125000
Pradesh
13 45488 36.4
14 Tamilnadu 615000 215033 35.0
Meghalaya 24000
15 6058 25.2
16 Punjab 411000 101705 24.7
17 Assam 307000 74187 24.2
Uttar 1938000
18 Pradesh 419516 21.6
Madhya 1491000
Pradesh
19 287549 19.3
20 Haryana 300000 53345 17.8
21 Bihar 733000 125688 17.1
Pondicherry 4300
22 573 13.3
Uttarakhand 83000
23 9590 11.6
 Tripura 28000

24 2771 9.9
Dadra & 2000
Nagar
25 Haveli 169 8.5
26 Chattisgarh 400000 30576 7.6
27 Rajasthan 915000 67172 7.3
28 Chandigarh 1400 97 6.9
A&N 2200
29 Islands 137 6.2
30 Manipur 38000 2128 5.6
31 Delhi 12900 679 5.3
32 Jharkhand 100000 4408 4.4
Jammu & 128000
33 Kashmir 2352 1.8
Total 1,23,39,300 41,85,442 33.9
 Composition of Biogas

• Methane 50-70%
• Carbon dioxide 30-45%
• Hydrogen 0-1%
• Nitrogen 0-1%
• Water 0.1%
• Hydrogen sulphide 0-1%
• Oxygen 0-1%
 Common Uses of biogas
• Cooking
• Lighting
• Power generation
• Engine running
 Energy Equivalence of biogas
Use of 1m3 of biogas as fuel can save other
sources of energy as:

• 0.52 litre of diesel

• 0.62 litre of kerosene oil
• 3.40 kg of wood
• 12.30 kg of cow dung cakes
• 0.43 kg of LPG
• 1.46 kg of coal
• 4.70 KW of electricity
 Commonly used organic matter
used for generation of biogas

• Cattle dung
• Kitchen and dining hall waste
• Vegetable market waste
• Poultry dropping
• Crop residue
• Pig and horse excreta
• Aquatic weeds such as water hyacinth
• Agro industrial waste
• Sewage Sludge
 Comparative Biogas Production of
Different Feed Stocks
S No Type of feed stock Gas Yield per Normal Feed availability per
Kg ( m3 ) animal per day (Kg)

1 Cattle dung 0.036 10 to 15

2 Human excreta 0.07 0.5

3 Horse dung 0.045 10

4 Sheep dropping 0.042 1

5 Camel droppings 0.056 6

6 Piggery waste 0.08 2.25

7 Poultry droppings 0.062 0.18

Table 1 shows typical solid and organic substance contents and biogas yields for most frequent

organic wastes, treated with anaerobic digestion.

 Anaerobic digestion

Anaerobic digestion is “a process of controlled decomposition of biodegradable materials under

managed conditions where free oxygen is absent, at temperatures suitable for naturally occurring

mesophilic (30-40° C) or thermophilic (50-60° C anaerobic and facultative bacteria and archaea

species, that convert the inputs to biogas and whole digestate”..

Overall scheme for anaerobic digestion
of organic matter
1st Phase- hydrolysis of complex organic materials,
i.e.,carbohydrates,fats,proteins, nitrogen compounds,salts
etc. into soluble organic compounds, i.e., sugars,fatty
acids,amino acids etc.

2nd Phase- soluble organic compounds are reduced to

simpler compounds, i.e., organic acids (acetic acid,
propionic acid etc.) , simpler alcohols and acetone.

3rd Phase- Organic acids ,mainly acetic acid and certain

other oxidised compounds are converted to methane and
carbon dioxide by methanogenic bacteria.
Hydrolysis is theoretically the first step of AD, during which the complex organic

matter (polymers) is decomposed into smaller units (mono- and oligomers).

During hydrolysis, polymers like carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins are

converted into glucose, glycerol, purines and pyridines.

Hydrolytic microorganisms excrete hydrolytic enzymes, converting biopolymers into

simpler and soluble compounds as it is shown below:

A variety of microorganisms is involved in hydrolysis, which is carried out by

exoenzymes, produced by those microorganisms which decompose the

undissolved particulate material.

The products resulted from hydrolysis are further decomposed by the

microorganisms involved and used for their own metabolic processes.

During acidogenesis, the products of hydrolysis are converted by acidogenic

(fermentative) bacteria into methanogenic substrates.

Simple sugars, amino acids and fatty acids are degraded into acetate, carbon

dioxide and hydrogen (70%) as well as into volatile fatty acids (VFA) and alcohols

(30%).
alcohols are oxidised into methanogenic substrates like acetate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

VFA, with carbon chains longer than two units and alcohols, with carbon chains longer than one

unit, are oxidized into acetate and hydrogen.

During methanogenesis, hydrogen is converted into methane. Acetogenesis and methanogenesis

usually run parallel, as symbiosis of two groups of organisms.

The production of methane and carbon dioxide from intermediate products is carried out by

methanogenic bacteria. 70% of the formed methane originates from acetate, while the remaining

30% is produced from conversion of hydrogen (H) and carbon dioxide (CO ), according to the
2
following equations
Methanogenesis is a critical step in the entire anaerobic digestion process,

as it is the slowest biochemical reaction of the process.

Methanogenesis is severely influenced by operation conditions.

Composition of feedstock, feeding rate, temperature, and pH are examples of

factors influencing the methanogenesis process.

Digester overloading, temperature changes or large entry of oxygen can

The efficiency of AD is influenced by some critical parameters, thus it is crucial that

appropriate conditions for anaerobic microorganisms are provided.

The growth and activity of anaerobic microorganisms is significantly influenced by conditions

such as exclusion of oxygen, constant temperature, pH-value, nutrient supply, stirring intensity

as well as presence and amount of inhibitors (e.g. ammonia).

The methane bacteria are fastidious anaerobes, so that the presence of oxygen into the

digestion process must be strictly avoided.

Fastidious organism is Leuconostoc mesenteroides, a facultative bacteria anaerobe complex

growth factors and amino acids

The temperature stability is decisive for AD. In practice, the operation temperature is chosen

with consideration to the feedstock used and the necessary process temperature is usually

provided by floor or wall heating systems, inside the digester. Figure shows the rates of

relative biogas yields depending on temperature and retention time.

Relative biogas yields, depending on temperature and retention time

Many modern biogas plants operate at thermophilic process temperatures as the

thermophilic process provides many advantages, compared to mesophilic and

psychrophilic processes:

Effective destruction of pathogens

• higher grow rate of methanogenic bacteria at higher temperature

• reduced retention time, making the process faster and more efficient

• improved digestibility and availability of substrates

• better degradation of solid substrates and better substrate utilisation

Three-stage anaerobic fermentation (Source: Baader et. al 1978)
An important operating parameter is the ratio between carbon content (C) and nitrogen content (N), i.e. the C/N-ratio,

which is considered favorable within the range 30 : 1 to 10 : 1. A C/N-ratio of less than 8 :1 inhibits bacterial

activity due to an excessive ammonia content.

Substances with an inhibiting effect on

biomethanation

pH ranges for biomethanation

 Nutrient Contents of Digested Slurry
from biogas plant and FYM (Farm Yard
manure)

[Link]. Nutrient FYM Biogas slurry

Range % Average % Range % Average %

1. Nitrogen (N ) 0.5 to 1.0 0.8 1.4 to 1.8 1.6

2

2. Phosphorus 0.5 to 0.8 0.7 1.1 to 2.0 1.55

(P O )
2 5 Source: Biogas Technology: A training manual for extension, FAO
 TYPES OF BIOGAS PLANTS
• FLOATING DRUM TYPE
• FIXED DOME TYPE
– JANTA BIOGAS PLANT
– DEENBANDHU BIOGAS PLANTS
KVIC MODEL BIOGAS PLANT
(Floating drum type)
JANTA BIOGAS PLANT (Fixed dome type)
A typical “fixed-dome” digester; it is believed that the Chinese were the first to use

this concept. As the digestion proceeds further, biogas is generated which collects

under the fixed dome and pushes some of the slurry to the overflow tank. When the

gas is taken out for use, its pressure inside the dome ceases and some of the slurry

returns from the overflow tank

The underground digester marketed by the Sheuzhen Puxin

Company, China
Deenbandhu biogas plant
 Modified Deenbandhu and Janta
biogas plants
• The inlet in the traditional biogas plant is
designed and modified by providing 12 inch dia
pipe inclined at about 75 degrees with horizontal.
• The outlet is accordingly modified as per
requirement
• The water requirement : 30 % of cattle dung
as compared to 100 % of cattle dung in
traditional biogas plants
• Digested Slurry is more thick hence easy to
manage
 Modified Janta biogas plant

• Inlet 30 cm diameter PVC pipe

• Angle of inclination of pipe with horizontal=75o
HDPE biogas plants by two private sector manufacturers
installed under a demonstration project
Biogas Production Potential from different Wastes
A KVIC Type Biogas Plant
 Biogas Plant

20 m3/day Capacity KVIC Biogas Plant installed at IIT Delhi

DEMONSTRATION OF MODIFIED JANTA BIOGAS PLANT AT
THE RESIDENCE OF SH. TARSEM SINGH, RURKI KHURD
DEMONSTRATION OF MODIFIED JANTA BIOGAS PLANT AT
THE RESIDENCE OF MANJEET KAUR, BHARBHURGARH
DEMONSTRATION OF MODIFIED DEENBANDHU BIOGAS
PLANT AT THE RESIDENCE OF LABH SINGH, BEEPUR
• Biogas, its composition and uses

• Energy equivalence and Commonly used organic matter

for biogas generation

• Overall scheme for anaerobic digestion of organic matter

• Nutrient Contents of Digested Slurry from biogas plant

and FYM

• Types of biogas plants

• Role of Biogas plants in saving of environment

• Status of biogas development in India

• Economics of family size biogas plants

 Role of Biogas plants in saving of
environment
• Direct and immediate impact :
– Save other fuels and hence less stress on other fuels
– Using biogas as a kitchen fuel can prevent deforestation and
hence soil erosion
– Change of environment in the house as biogas is a clean fuel.
Other fuels being commonly used creates pollution by
generating smoke.
– The use of biogas prevents chances of eye diseases and
respiratory diseases. Hence healthy life of rural woman.
– Clean kitchen and utensils and hence saving in the time of
women
– Clean House and hence less expenditure for maintenance of
house
 Role of Biogas plants in saving of
environment (contd)

• Reduction in green house gases:

– How?
 Green house gases
• The gases which trap heat in the earth's atmosphere and
cause rise in temperature are known as green house gases.

– Greenhouse gases are the major cause of global warming.

Different green house gases

• Naturally present green house gases in the atmosphere
– carbon dioxide,
– methane
– nitrous oxide
– water vapor and
– ozone
• Green house gases due to human activities
– hydroflurocarbons (HFCs)
– perfluorocarbons and
– sulphur hexafluride.
 Some activities responsible for green
house gases
• Agriculture and industrialization

• Fossil fuel burning like that of coal in power plant leads to

high emissions of carbon dioxide gas.

• Methane generated during Anaerobic decomposition of

organic material

• Emission of nitrous oxides due to nitric acid production, use

of cars with catalytic converters, the use of fertilizers in
agriculture and the burning of organic matter
.
Kyoto Protocol for Control of green house
Gas emission
• An international agreement signed (December
1997) by about 180 countries with the aim to
reduce green house gases emissions in order to
save the environment
• Countries have been assigned maximum carbon
emission levels and can participate in carbon
credit trading.
 Carbon Credit
system and carbon trade
• The carbon credit and carbon trade system was ratified in
conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol. Its goal is to stop the
increase of green house gas emissions.

For example,
– if an environmentalist group plants enough trees to reduce emissions by
one ton, the group will be awarded a credit.
– If a steel producer has an emissions quota of 10 tons, but is expecting to
produce 11 tons, it could purchase this carbon credit from the
environmental group.
– The carbon credit system looks to reduce emissions by having countries
honor their emission quotas and offer incentives for being below them
 Potential of methane wrt carbon
dioxide as green house gas
• Green house gas methane is more than 20 times as
powerful as carbon dioxide at entrapping heat in the
atmosphere.
• Reaction during burning of methane (biogas).
CH 4  2O2 CO2  2 H 2 O  Heat
• Hence one molecule of methane is converted into one
molecule of carbon dioxide and as such the effect of
methane will be reduced to 1/20th of its effect as compared
to when it is released as such in the atmosphere.
Theoretical computation of carbon credit
for 3 m3 biogas plant

• 1 m3 CO2 = 0.483 kg of carbon at about 30o C

• 1 m3 of CH4 = (20-1)0.483 =9.18 kg of carbon
For a 3 m3 biogas plant
• Estimated biogas generated per day= 3 m3
• Assuming 60 % methane in biogas
• As such 3 m3 of biogas = 0.6*3 m3 of CH4 = 1.8 m3 of methane
• 1.8 m3 of methane =1.8*9.18=16.52 kg of carbon/day
• In one year = 365*16.52 =6030 kg of carbon=6 tonne of carbon
• 1 tonne of carbon credit = 17 Euro
• Equivalent credit earned in one year by 3 m3 biogas plant= 102
Euro
• 1 Euro= Rs 80
• 102 Euro = 8160 Rs
• Thus a 3 m3 biogas plant can theoretically earn carbon credit
equivalent to Rs 8160 in one year.
Economics of Family size
Deenbandhu Biogas Plants
Estimated cost and Payback period for Deenbandhu biogas plants
on the basis of saving of LPG
[Link]. Item Capacity of Biogas Plants (m3)
3 4 5 6
1. Estimated cost (Rs.) 14000 15500 16500 18000
2. Equivalent Biogas 2.57 3.42 4.28 5.14
produced per month in
terms of LPG
(Cylinders)
3. Monthly saving from 771 1026 1284 1542
Biogas in terms of
LPG (Assumed cost of
LPG cylinder
=Rs.330/-)
4. Approximate pay back 1.50 1.25 1.10 1.00
period of Biogas Plant
(years)
 Economics of Family size Biogas
Plants
• The initial cost of the plant can be recovered in a very short
time due to savings in the use of alternate fuels.

• The user will be getting the biogas from the plants for more
than 25 years.

• User is saved from the increase in cost of alternate fuels during

the life of plant

• All the farmers rearing animals should adopt this technology as

it requires one time investment and its benefits are derived for
rest of the life of plant.

• Government of India provides an incentive of Rs. 8000/- or 50%

of cost which ever is less for the installation of biogas plants.
 Economics of Family size Biogas
Plants (contd)
• An additional incentive of Rs 1000/- is provided for connecting
the toilet to the biogas digester

• Attachment of toilet to the biogas plant will decrease the cost of

toilet significantly as no separate septic tank will be required for
the toilet.

• Value of the good manure and carbon credit earned has not
been considered in computing the payback period.

• Keeping all the incentive into consideration the initial cost will
be recovered in a very short time.

• There is no major maintenance cost for the plant and the

operation of the plant is very simple.
 Requirement of dung and number of
animals for different size of biogas plants
Capacity of Approximate Quantity of Cooking for

biogas plant No. of fresh dung number of

(m3 ) animals required persons

required (kg)

1 2-3 25 2-3

2 4-5 50 4-5

3 6-7 75 7-8
 Alternate model of promoting
Biogas programme
• Some farmers may feel difficulty in arranging the
initial capital for installation of biogas plant
• For such farmers a programme may be framed in
which the bank provides interest free loan to the
farmers.
• The loss in to the bank is compensated from the
incentives to be provided to the farmers.
• The direct incentive to the farmers may be reduced
in such cases
 Installment for 20000/- loan at
different rates of interest
Rate of Monthly Installment for 20000 Total Interest paid (Rs)

Interest loan(Rs)

Period of Return (Months) Period of Return (Months)

36 48 60 36 48 60

8 643 497 411 2491 3363 4260

7 633.5 488 402 2170 2925 3700

 Hence
• The use of biogas plants reduces the green house effect
due to anaerobic decomposition of organic matter to a
large extent and helps to save our environment.
• Attaching the toilet to the biogas plant will improve the
sanitary condition in villages and help in reducing the cost
of the toilet.
• The biogas plants are easily affordable and economically
viable and must be installed at a rapid rate to achieve 100
% potential of biogas plants . The investment is one time
and the benefits are derived for rest of the life of plant.
 Ministry
Ministry of
of New
New and
and Renewable
Renewable Energy
Energy
Bio-energy
Bio-energy Technology
Technology Development
Development Group
Group

Biogas Programmes:

• National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP).

• Biogas Based Distributed/Grid Power Generation Programme.

• Demonstration of Integrated Technology Package on Biogas-Fertilizer Plants (BGFP) for Generation,

Purification/ Enrichment, Bottling and Piped Distribution of Biogas.

• Establishment of Business Model for Demonstration of an Integrated Technology Package for creation

of smokeless villages using biogas/ bio-energy systems and meeting ‘Life-line Energy’ envisaged in

‘Integrated Energy Policy’

 Biogas- Fertilizer Plants: Most Potent tool to Handle Methane- a Green house
gas

 Methane (Green house gas) released from

three Landfills of Delhi during 2008: 74,000 tonnes
(Indian Express 29.01.2010)

 Effect of methane is higher than

from CO2 by: 21 times

 Percentage of methane in harmful

green house gas: 18%(approx.)
 Annual CO2 Emission Reduction
from 1.5 lakh biogas plants: 70.5375 tonne
 Expected Annual CER from 1.50
lakh biogas plants:
10/22/25 Rs.75 lakh
104
 Provisions in Integrated Policy Report of
Planning Commission
Section 8.3 of Chapter on “Household Energy Security: Electricity and Clean Fuels for All” recommends to:

“Provide lifeline entitlement of 30 units of electricity and 6 kg of LPG or equivalent amount of Kerosene for
one or both lifeline energy needs through a system of smart/ debit cards with varying levels of direct cash
support to targeted house holds……..”

•Provision of 6 kg of LPG may require about 138 million kg of LPG per month for 23 million BPL families.
•Biogas plant are one of the most suitable option for rural areas for supplying lifeline energy for cooking and
lighting.

•1.5 to 2m3 capacity biogas plant per family can provide the recommended lifeline energy to BPL families.

105
 Biogas Programmes

New Initiative for Technology Demonstration:

• Demonstration of Integrated Technology Package on Biogas-Fertilizer Plants (BGFP) for

Generation, Purification/ Enrichment, Bottling and Piped Distribution of Biogas.

• Establishment of Business Model for Demonstration of an Integrated Technology Package

for creation of smokeless villages using biogas/ bio-energy systems and meeting ‘Life-line

Energy’ envisaged in ‘Integrated Energy Policy’

106
 National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)

 NPBD/ NBMMP Launched in 1981.

 Estimated potential of biogas plants: 120 lakh
Nos.
 Cumulative Biogas plants installed: 41.7
lakh(34%)
 Envisaged Target for 11th Plan: 6.47 lakh plant
(14 lakh m3)
 Installation in first two and half
3
years of the 11 Plan: 2.44 lakh plant (4.9 lakh m )
th
107
 Approved CFA (in Rs.) under NBMMP for
11th Plan
Category CFA (2-4 m3 CFA (1 m3 Plant)
Plant) (Rs.) (Rs.)
1. NER States 14,700/- 14,700/-
2. Notified hilly 9,000/-
areas, J&K and Plain 10,000/-
areas of Assam
3. All other States 8,000/- 4,000/-
4. Support for 2000 – 67,500/-
Training courses
5. Turn key Job-fee Rs.1500/-

108
 Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation Programme (BDPGP).

 Launched in January, 2006.

 Projects completed: 20 Nos.(567.50 kW)

 Projects under Installation: 68 Nos. (549 kW)

 Total no. of projects sanctioned: 88 Nos.

 Total/ Aggregated capacity: About 1.16 MW

109
 Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power
Generation Programme: Central Financial
Assistance
Power generating Biogas plant CFA/subsidy limited to the
capacity capacity following ceiling or 40% of the
cost of the system whichever
is less.

3 -20 kW 25 cu. m to 85 cu.m Rs.40,000 per kW

>20 kW to 100 kW Any combination of Rs.35,000 per kW

above plants or
alternate
capacity /design
>100 kW to 250 kW Any combination of Rs.30,000 per kW
above plants or
alternate capacity /
10/22/25 design 110
 Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation Programme

 Biogas Plant Capacity: 25 - 3000 cum/ day

 Power Generation Capacity: 3 -250 KW
 Estimated Power Generation
from 25 cum Plant: 30KWhr per day (3KW)
 Estimated Power Generation
from 100 cum Plant: 120 KWhr per day (12 KW)
 Estimated No. of hours for meeting
Power Requirement from 25 cum Plant: 10 hrs.

111
 Biogas-fertilizer Plant Potential in
India
1. Cattle Dung based biogas and bio-fertilizer Potential:
 Cattle population: Over 289 million

 Dung collected: 1445 million ton/day

(@ 5kg per cattle per day)
 Estimated Biogas Generation: 57.8 million m3/day
 Estimated LPG equivalent: 25 million kg/ day
 Bio-fertilizer: 1083.75 million ton/ day

112
 Biogas-fertilizer Plant Potential in
India
2. Surplus crop residue/ biomass based potential:
 Surplus crop residue/ biomass: 38.52 million ton/yr

 Estimated biogas generation: 3.852 million m 3/yr.

 Estimated LPG equivalent: 1.67 million kg/ yr.
 Bio-fertilizer:
[Link]-oiled cake based biogas potential:
(4,00,000 ha of Jatropha plantation)
 Estimated biogas generation: 0.263 million m3/yr.
 Estimated LPG equivalent: 0.114 million kg/ yr.
 Contd.
113
 Biogas-fertilizer Plant Potential in
India
4. Poultry Litter based potential:

 Total Poultry population (1997): 347 million

 Estimated bird litter production
(@200g/ bird/ day): 25 million tons/
yr.
 Estimated Biogas production: 2983 million m3/yr.
(@116 ltr/ kg):
Estimated LPG equivalent: 1277.39 million kg/ yr.
5. Kitchen waste based potential: considerable. 114
 Biogas-Fertilizer Plant Demonstration Projects: Objectives

• To harness near total potential of loose and leafy biomass

waste, cattle dung and waste from kitchens and gardens in
rural areas for installation of medium and large size biogas-
fertilizer plants.
• Purification/ enrichment of bottling of biogas to replace
PNG/ CNG/ LPG.
• To produce, upgrade and package high quality bio-
fertilizer through vermi-composting and other technologies
from digested slurry of BGFP
• To establish self-sustainable entrepreneurial model for
installation of such plants in villages, gaushalas, dairies,
eating joints, restaurants, hostels and institutions.
 BGFP Technology Demonstration
Projects
• Proposed No. of Technology demonstration projects: 100 Nos.
• Capacity of BGFP: Multiples of 200, 500 and 1000 m3.
• Minimum economically sustainable plant size/ capacity:
About 400 m3.
• Estimated cost of an Integrated 200-1000 m3 BGFP Project
(cost will vary on plant size taken up): Rs. 40-160 lakh.
• Support technology demonstration.
• Better to follow commercio-cooperative approach for
ensuring biomass feed material supply from beneficiaries.
 Institutional arrangements for
implementation of BGFP Technology
Demonstration Projects
• It is proposed to implement the proposed BGFP
demonstration projects through private and public
sector companies, and leasing companies, rural
entrepreneurs, cooperatives through IREDA, Banks
and other financial institutions.
• To make ‘Biogas-fertilizer plant based Energy
Infrastructure Initiative’ more economical, it would
be useful for corporate bodies and entrepreneurs to
bunch BGFPs in group of villages/ areas to avail of
CDM benefits.
 Financial Support for BGFP Projects

Proposed financial support:

Organization Percentage of
Project Cost
• MNRE support: 50%
• IREDA/ Bank Loan: 30%
• Promoter/ user agency
contribution: 20%
Need for the Biogas Enrichment and Bottling

• Potential of biogas is not fully utilized and commercialized so far.

• For commercialization, its area of application may widen; from

cooking fuel to vehicle fuel.

• For use as a vehicle fuel, it should be bottled like CNG.

• Before bottling, it should enriched in methane content from 55 %

to 95 %; similar to CNG.
 CO2 & H2S Removal Processes from Biogas:
S.
Method Advantages Disadvantages
No.
One of the easiest and cheapest
Absorption in Water pumping load is high.
1. methods for CO2 removal.
Water CO2 can not be recovered
Recommended for rural application.
The chemical absorbents are more Regeneration of the solvent requires a
Absorption by efficient in low pressure and can relatively high energy input. Disposal of
2.
Chemicals remove CO2 to low partial pressures by-product formed due to chemical
in treated gas. reactions is a problem.
Adsorption is accomplished at high
Pressure By proper choice of the adsorbent,
temperature and pressure. Regeneration is
3. Swing this process can remove CO2, H2S,
carried out by vacuum. It is a costly
Adsorption moisture and other impurities.
process.

Membrane Modular in nature and separate CO2 High pressure requirement. The
4.
Separation and CH4 effectively. processing cost is also high.

Allows recovery of pure component

Cryogenic High cost involved makes it impractical
5. in the form of liquid, which can be
Separation for Biogas applications.
transported conveniently

Chemical Extremely high purity in the product Process is extremely expensive and is not
6.
Conversion gas. warranted in most Biogas applications.
• Among various methods of enrichment i.e. Chemical
absorption, PSA, membrane separation; Water scrubbing
is found to be a suitable method for biogas enrichment
in rural areas.

• It is simple, continuous and cheap process compared to

other processes and also absorb H2S.

• Enriched biogas can further compress up to 20 MPa

pressure for optimum gas storage in cylinders.
 Refining and Compression of Biogas

• Purification is carried out to enrich biogas by scrubbing off the

unwanted components i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen
sulfide (H2S).

• It is essential to have more energy per unit volume of compressed

biogas and to get rid of the corrosive effect of H2S.

• Various purification processes include absorption into water,

absorption by chemical, pressure swing adsorption and
membrane separation.

• One of the easiest, simplest and cheapest method is the use of

pressurized water as an absorbent liquid.
• For economic viability of biogas bottling, its availability should
be in large quantity.

• Plants linked with Dairy / Goshala (350 cattle or more), sewage

treatment plants are suitable for this work.

• Biogas bottling may start new business venture in villages. Thus,

open up new era of employment and income generation for
village people.

• Biogas manure enhances the organic content of soil, thereby

increases water holding capacity of soil.
 Design of Water Scrubbing System
• Water scrubbing method is found most suitable for
biogas enrichment in rural areas.

• Water is good solvent for CO2.

• The solubility of CO2 in water is governed by

variation in pressures and temperatures.
 System Operation

• Raw biogas is compressed up to 1.0 MPa pressure to enhance

solubility of CO2 in water.

• Pressurized biogas is sent into bottom section of the scrubber.

• Packing material is used to enhance the contact time (interfacial

area) between gas and water.

• Pressurized water is sprayed from top to absorb the CO 2 from

pressurized biogas.
Process flow chart of biogas enrichment and compression system

Biogas Digester

Biogas (CH CO ) Moisture Removal

4 2

Single Stage Compressor

Gas Storage Pressure Vessel

Water Tank

Water

Pump Flow Meter

Biogas Scrubber Dissolved CO in Water
2

Enriched Biogas

Gas Storage Pressure Vessel

Moisture Filters

Pressure Reducers

Three Stage Gas Compressor

High Pressure Cylinders for Storage of Enriched Gas

Biogas Enrichment and Bottling System

1-Biogas plant 11-Safety valve

2-Ball valve 12-Water sprayer NOT TO SCALE
3-Water remover 13-Flange
11
4-Receiver mounted compressor 14-View glass
5-Pressure gauge 15-Water outlet
6-Gas Storage Vessel 16-Water pump
7-Rotameter 17-Gas filter 12 13
14
8-Supporting stand 18-Pressure reducer
9-Reshching rings 19-Three stage gas compressor
10-Scrubber 20-CNG Cylinder
10

20
9 17
5 8
2
6 7
3
1

19

16
18
4
15

Fig.1: Experimental setup for biogas purification and bottling

Automotive Car and three wheeler Running on
Enriched Biogas
Further R&D Work Required for Biogas Development

• Biogas production using easily available local

waste material preferably agricultural wastes.

• Development of new and low cost improved

designs of biogas plants for large sizes.

• Development of low cost technology for

separation of methane, CO2 and sulfur
compounds from biogas for easy bottling of pure
methane and to reduce the damages caused by S-
compounds on machines using the biogas.
• The effect of bio-wash (liquid from digested
slurry) on vegetables and crops.

• Design of kitchen waste biogas plant for

restaurants

• Testing of oil seed cake based biogas plant slurry

for nutrient value and its effect on crop
production
 Conclusions
• India has second largest biogas programme in the
world at rural and as well as urban levels.

• Many technologies/models have been successfully

developed in India for biogas programme.

• There is need to develop a sustainable renewable

energy programme on biogas for replacing
petroleum products by utilization of biogas in the
country.

• This will help in green energy technology and

reducing green house gases emissions.
• Biogas is a potential renewable energy source for rural India
and other developing countries.

• Biogas generation and subsequent bottling will cater the energy

needs of villages, supply enriched manure and maintain village
sanitation.

• The bottling system will work as a decentralize source of power

with uninterrupted supply using local resources, generate
ample opportunities for employment and income of the rural
people.
Biogas flame
THANK YOU