Biogas Production

BIOGAS PRODUCTION
Introduction
The consumption of renewable energy is dramatically increasing, along with energy security
concerns, efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of conventional fuels, and
improvements in living standards and renewable technologies. Bioenergy can play a central
role in promoting renewable alternatives. In fact, bioenergy is estimated to be the fourth
largest energy resource in the world.
Biogas, which is generally referring to gas from anaerobic digestion units, is a promising
means of addressing global energy needs and providing multiple environmental benefits.
Biogas can be produced by fermenting organic materials in absence of air or with the help of
bacteria to break down materials to intermediates such as alcohols and fatty acids and finally
to methane, carbon dioxide and water. This process is called anaerobic fermentation. Natural
gas is also produced by the action of anaerobic bacteria.
Biogas is a modern form of bioenergy that can be produced through anaerobic digestion or
fermentation of a variety of biomass sources. These include, but are not limited to, livestock
manure, food waste, agricultural residues, energy crops, sewage and organic waste from
landfills. It is a versatile fuel that can be used for cooking, heating, lighting, power
generation, and combined heat and power generation, as well as, when upgraded to boost its
methane content, in transport applications. It also can provide dispatchable energy to power
grids so that a higher share of electricity can be generated from variable wind and solar
energy. Biogas typically consists of 50–75% methane, which provides its energy content, and
25–50% carbon dioxide, which potentially can be captured and stored.
Various appliances can be fuelled by biogas, with stoves offering an application appropriate
for deployment in developing countries. Widespread dissemination of biogas digesters in
developing countries stems from the 1970s and there are now around four and 27 million
biogas plants in India and China respectively. These are typically small systems in rural areas
fed by animal manure. However, in many other countries technology spread has foundered
and/or up to 50% of plants are non-functional. This is linked to inadequate emphasis on
maintenance and repair of existing facilities. Hence for biogas recovery technology to thrive
in the future, operational support networks need to be established. There appear to be
opportunities for biogas stoves to contribute to projects introducing cleaner cook stoves, such
as the Global Alliance for Clean Cook stoves. Beyond this, there remains potential for
domestic plants to utilise currently underexploited biogas substrates such as kitchen waste,
weeds and crop residues. Thus there is a need for research into reactors and processes which
enable efficient anaerobic biodegradation of these resources.
Biogas production is mainly done in rural areas by small farmers.
The benefits of the biogas production are:
 Direct benefit to the farmer:
 Methane gas
 Fertilizer
 Sanitation and health
 Benefits to the country
 Savings to the total economy
 Cleaner environment
 Increased possibility of backyard animal raisings
 Reduced deforestation
Chinese Biogas Model: Some advantages
 Circular in shape, with a fixed-dome top and saucer shaped bottom.

 No moving parts and metal components, except the structural rein-improvements.
 Completely constructed underground.
 Capable of generating higher gas pressure.
Basic structural features and considerations:
The Chinese biogas model has 8 components:
1) Mixing pit or inlet
2) Inlet Pipe
3) Digester/Gas storage
4) Outlet Chamber
5) Removable Manhole
6) Gas Outlet Pipe
7) Stirrer/Mixer
8) Backfill
Nepal Improved Biogas Plant design improvements
In 2008, the Biogas Audit Team produced an evaluation report of the Nepalese biogas sector. The
report contains a list of suggested design improvements for the GGC-2047 model biogas plant. The
GGC-2047 model was developed in 2047 BS (1990 AD). This model biogas plant has been the only
one eligible for subsidies since 1992. Based on the recommendations of the BAT report and inputs
from biogas companies and plant owners the GGC-2047 design was updated. This updated design is
known as the Nepal Improved Biogas Plant.
To make sure that the Nepalese biogas companies can adopt the new model it uses the same
construction materials and techniques as the GGC-2047. Also, many of the most important
dimensions (such as the size and curvature of the dome) have been kept the same. Within these
constraints the following are the main design improvements:
Maximum slurry level in the digester lowered to prevent blockages
In the GGC02047 model, the slurry overflow level of the digester is higher than the gas outlet pipe.
In winter, if gas production is low, this can lead to the so called “zero level” problem. The dome
completely fills up with slurry and sludge enters the gas piping, which subsequently is blocked. In the
NIBP, the overflow level is below the gas outlet, so this problem can never occur.
Baffle wall to improve retention and mixing of slurry
Digesters like the GGC-2047 have a round floor plan and the inlet right opposite the outlet. Research
has shown that this means that some of the feeding material will move through the digester too fast
and that some will be in the digester for a longer time. In the NIBP plant, there is a baffle wall, which
forces the material to move through the digester in a better way. This means that the time that the
degradable solids spend in the digester is closer to the calculated design retention time. This
optimizes the gas production and hygienization of the slurry.
Improve the gas storage capacity of the plants
Increasing the gas storage capacity of the biogas plants means that the chance of methane leakage
(due to people not using the gas for more than one day) is reduced. Depending on the size of the
digester the gas storage space has been increased by 50 to 70 %.
Sloped bottom and manhole to remove non-degradable solids
Over time, some material that cannot be digested settles on the bottom of the digester. This
material reduces the capacity and retention time of the digester. With the NIBP this material is much
easier to remove, because there is a manhole for access. Further, the bottom is sloped with the
lowest point (where non degradable material will collect) below the manhole.
Additional inlet design for multi feed plants
The GGC-2047 was designed for use with cow dung. For the NIBP we have included an optional new
inlet design that will allow the plant to be fed with a mixture of materials, including kitchen wastes.
Conclusion:
In this way two bio gas model Chinese Biogas Model and Nepal Improved Biogas Plant has
been studied and presented over.

Biogas Production

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Biogas Production

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Biogas Production

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BIOGAS PRODUCTION

 Circular in shape, with a fixed-dome top and saucer shaped bottom.

Maximum slurry level in the digester lowered to prevent blockages

Baffle wall to improve retention and mixing of slurry

Improve the gas storage capacity of the plants

Sloped bottom and manhole to remove non-degradable solids

Additional inlet design for multi feed plants

You might also like