BIO CNG: COST EFFECTIVE PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO

ENERGY DEMAND
Biogas is formed when organic biodegradable feedstock such as cow dung, poultry litter, other excreta,
organic municipal solid waste (MSW), biomass etc. ferments and is degraded by bacteria under anaerobic
conditions. Biogas is a mixture of:

Methane (CH4 - 50% to 70%)

Carbon dioxide (CO2 30%
to 45%)

Minor
impurities/contaminants
comprising of gases such as
hydrogen sulfide (H2S ppm
to 3%).

Moisture (H2O)

Fig: Composition of Biogas

Biogas is Renewable form of Energy. However, when any biodegradable organic matter breaks down
anaerobically, it naturally produces biogas which releases methane to the atmosphere. This gas has a very
high Global Warming Potential of 21 as compared to 1 for carbon dioxide and contributes significantly to
climate change and pollution. If biogas is fermented, a process often referred to as biomethanation, in
digester under controlled conditions, it can be utilized for various purposes such as heating and cooling,
generation of power and production of biomethane, which when compressed is also referred to as
bioCNG.

Biogas formed in a biomethane digester is stored in a gas holder or balloon. The biogas is thereafter
purified where carbon dioxide, moisture and other minor gaseous impurities are removed. The purified
biogas is fed to the compressor where it is compressed and filled into cylinders. This gas is called
compressed biomethane or BioCNG. A Process flowsheet is shown below:

Fig: Simplified Process Flow-sheet

Commercial Aspect
Typical Data a 1000 NM3/Day Capacity Biogas Purification Project are...
Capacity: 1000 NM3/Day
Dung Required: 20 Tons/Day
Water required: 15 Tons/Day
Bio-CNG Production: 400 Kg/Day
Manure Production: 6 Tons/Day
Selling Price of Bio-CNG: Rs. 80/Kg
Selling price of Manure: Rs. 3/Kg

Price: Approximately
Biogas Plant: 1,10,00,000/Biogas Purification Plant: 25,00,000/Bio-CNG Compressor: 20,00,000/Bio-CNG Storage: 40,00,000/Vehicles: 20,00,000/Land Preparation & Other Civil Work: 20,00,000/Land Requirement: ~ 2 Acres
Payback Period: ~ 4 - 5 Years

Subsidy: ~ 20 Lakhs

Use of and Benefits of Bio-CNG

When Carbon dioxide and all other impurities such as H2S are removed, purified methane gas that remains is called
biomethane and, if it is compressed, it is often referred to as BioCNG. It can be used to provide energy in a way that
reduces net greenhouse gas emissions.
BioCNG can be utilized for many purposes such as:

Heating replacing LPG and gaseous & liquid fuels

Cooling replacing electricity used for refrigeration

Cogen - Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Trigen Combined Heat, Refrigeration/Cooling and Power

Transport fuel to supplement liquid and gaseous fuel

Biomethane can be used as feedstock for producing chemicals

BioCNG has all the benefits of CNG but, in addition, it is a renewable fuel and complements energy security of the
nation. It is a highly decentralized industry which can provide employment in the rural area and lead to its
economic development.
There appears to be an excellent market for Bio-CNG in India as can be seen from the list of uses. It can replace
CNG used as fuel in vehicle as well as LPG for kitchen in bakeries, industries, for cutting and welding by
fabricators, commercial establishments like Halwais, dhabhas, restaurants, hotels, canteens, cafeterias etc. There
is a large demand for LPG for these purposes in India. Since LPG fetches better price than CNG per kg, it is better to
use the bio-CNG as replacement for LPG. Thus there is an excellent market for Bio-CNG in India. Since LPG fetches
better price than CNG per kg, it may be a more viable proposition to use the bio-CNG as replacement for LPG.

Potential of Bio-CNG in India

Any significant sources of biodegradable organic matter can be used to produce BioCNG. It has been estimated that
in India has the highest population of cattle in India. If cattle dung is properly collected, on a realistic basis, and
used efficiently, BioCNG produced can possibly replace more than 4.0 mill. T of LPG per year. In addition, there are
other very significant sources/feedstocks for production of BioCNG that need to be examined in detail such as:

Piggery waste, poultry waste etc

Biomass generated from agro-waste and other such sources straws, bagasse etc.

Industries which can become significant contributors such as Distillery (Alcohol/Ethanol), food processing
industries etc

MSW, vegetable waste from Mandees and landfills

Garden waste, energy crops etc

Biogas from Sewage Treatment Plant

Fig.: Biogas upgrading plant Gothenburg, Sweden, with a biogas capacity of 1600m/h
Typical Plant Size: From 250 Kg per day to 2500 kg per day of BioCNG per day. It can be larger if biomass is
available.
Project Cost:

Approximately Rs 1.5 -1.75 Cr to Rs 10-12 Cr.

Scalable & Replication

The BioCNG project has its great advantage that it can be easily replicated and scalable depending on the supply of
feedstock.
Power generation from BIO GAS is another best option to meet the power required. The energy from BioCNG can
be easily stored and it is unlike wind, hydro & solar.

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Contact for further details:

Vinay Singh
Climate Change & Energy Expert
M: +91-9004542365
Skype id: vinaysingh001