EXTRACTION OF METHANE FROM BIOGAS | 2015-2016

Abstract

Methane fermentation is a versatile biotechnology capable of converting almost all

types of polymeric materials to methane and carbon dioxide under anaerobic
conditions. This is achieved as a result of the consecutive biochemical breakdown of
polymers to methane and carbon dioxide in an environment in which a variety of
microorganisms which include fermentative microbes (acidogens); hydrogen-
producing, acetate-forming microbes (acetogens); and methane-producing microbes
(methanogens) harmoniously grow and produce reduced end-products. These
microbes, however, do not produce pure methane. They also produce carbon dioxide
and some other gases which is why biogas typically requires treatment known as
scrubbing to make it useful as fuel.

Methane fermentation offers an effective means of pollution reduction, superior to that

achieved via conventional aerobic processes. Although practiced for decades, interest
in anaerobic fermentation has only recently focused on its use in the economic
recovery of fuel gas from industrial and agricultural surpluses.

Methane could be used as an alternative fuel source, especially in India where

agricultural waste and other forms of organic wastes are abundant. It can be both
economical to produce and easy to use. Biogas can be generated and supplied round
the clock in contrast to solar and wind, which are intermittent in nature. Biogas plants
provide three-in-one solution of gaseous fuel generation, organic manure production
and wet biomass waste disposal/management. Hence, biomethane has the potential
to be a strong alternative fuel source.

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Biogas
Biomass resources such as cattle dung, agricultural wastes and other organic wastes
have been one of the main energy sources for the mankind since the dawn of
civilization. There is a vast scope to convert these energy sources into biogas. Biogas
production is a clean low carbon technology for efficient management and conversion
of fermentable organic wastes into clean cheap & versatile fuel and organic manure.
It has the potential for leveraging sustainable livelihood development as well as
tackling local and global land, air and water pollution. Biogas obtained by anaerobic
digestion of cattle dung and other loose & leafy organic matters can be used as an
energy source for various applications namely, cooking, heating, refrigeration,
electricity generation and gaseous fuel for vehicular application.

Biogas can be generated and supplied round the clock in contrast to solar and wind,
which are intermittent in nature. Biogas plants provide three-in-one solution of gaseous
fuel generation, organic manure production and wet biomass waste
disposal/management.

Biogas is a product of bio-methanation process when fermentable organic materials

such as cattle dung, kitchens waste, poultry droppings, night soil wastes, agricultural
wastes etc. are subjected to anaerobic digestion in the presence of methanogenic
bacteria. This process is better as the digested slurry from biogas plants is available
for its utilization as organic manure in agriculture, horticulture and pisciculture as a
substitute/supplement to chemical fertilizers. In contrast, when biomass is subjected
to combustion/gasification process, it ends up in the destruction of biomass and only
ash is left after extraction of energy. Therefore, the bio-methanation process of
converting biomass into gaseous fuel is superior and a sustainable process that can
be processed in biogas plants.

Typically, biogas comprises of 60-65% methane, 35-40% carbon dioxide, 0.5-1.0%

hydrogen sulphide, 4-6% water vapors etc. Biogas is a non-toxic, colorless and
flammable gas. The auto-ignition (self-ignition) temperature for biogas is 923 K
(649.85°C) (Seadi et al., 2008; Nathan et al., 2010) is higher than methane which is
873 K (599.85°C) (Robinson and Smith, 1984). Compared to methane, biogas has
higher self-ignition temperature, lower flammability limits and lower flame speed.
These properties makes biogas harder to burn compared to methane. Density of 1.214
kg/m3 (assuming about 60% Methane and 40% CO2). Its calorific value is 20 MJ/m3
(or 4700 kcal.). It is almost 20% lighter than air. Biogas, like Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG) cannot be converted into liquid state under normal temperature and pressure.

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It liquefies at a pressure of about 47.4 Kg/cm2 at a critical temperature of -82.10°C.

Removing carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, moisture and compressing it into
cylinders makes it easily usable for transport applications & also for stationary
applications. Already, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) technology has become easily
available and therefore, biomethane (purified biogas) which is nearly the same as
CNG, can be used for all applications for which CNG is used. Purified biogas (bio-
methane) has a higher calorific value in comparison to raw biogas. CO2 removal is
termed biogas upgrade while the removal of H2S and other gases is often termed
biogas cleaning.

Basically, biogas is the mixture of gas produced by the breakdown of organic matter
in the absence of oxygen. It is a renewable energy source with minimal carbon
footprint.

1.2 Biogas Composition

Biogas is characterized based on its chemical composition and the physical
characteristics which result from it. It is primarily a mixture of methane (CH4) and
carbon dioxide (CO2). However the name “biogas” gathers a large variety of gases
resulting from specific treatment processes, starting from various organic waste -
industries, animal or domestic origin waste etc.

According to its composition, biogas presents characteristics interesting to compare

with natural gas and propane. Biogas is a gas appreciably lighter than air, it produces
twice as less calories by combustion with equal volume of natural gas. Table 1.1 gives
the (typical) physical characteristics of biogas.

Table 1.1 - Physical characteristics of Biogas

Different sources of production lead to different specific compositions. Basically the

composition of a gas issued from a digester depends on the substrate, of its organic

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matter load, and the feeding rate of the digester. Table 1.2 gives the (typical) chemical
composition of biogas.

Table 1.2 - Chemical composition of Biogas

1.3 Methane
In November 1776, methane was first scientifically identified by Italian physicist
Alessandro Volta in the marshes of Lake Maggiore straddling Italy and Switzerland,
having been inspired to search for the substance after reading a paper written by
Benjamin Franklin about "flammable air". Volta captured the gas rising from the marsh,
and by 1778 had isolated the pure gas. He also demonstrated means to ignite the gas
with an electric spark.

1.3.1 Properties

Methane is a tetrahedral molecule with four equivalent C-H bonds. At room

temperature and standard pressure, methane is a colorless, odorless gas. The familiar
smell of natural gas as used in homes is a safety measure achieved by the addition of
an odorant, usually blends containing tert-butylthiol (with the formula (CH3)3CSH).
Methane has a boiling point of -161°C (-257.8 °F) at a pressure of one atmosphere.
As a gas it is flammable over a range of concentrations (4.4–17%) in air at standard
pressure (an absolute pressure of exactly 1,00,000 Pa or 0.98 atm.)

Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4 (one atom of carbon
and four atoms of hydrogen). It is the simplest of alkanes and the main component of
natural gas. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an attractive fuel,
though capturing and storing it poses challenges due to its gaseous state found at
standard conditions of temperature and pressure.

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In its natural state, methane is found both below ground and under the seafloor, where
it often finds its way to the surface and the atmosphere where it is known as
atmospheric methane. The Earth's atmospheric methane concentration has increased
by about 150% since 1750, and it accounts for 20% of the total radiative forcing from
all of the long-lived and globally mixed greenhouse gases.

Methane is used in industrial chemical processes and may be transported as a

refrigerated liquid (liquefied natural gas, or LNG). While leaks from a refrigerated liquid
container are initially heavier than air due to the increased density of the cold gas, the
gas at ambient temperature is lighter than air. Gas pipelines distribute large amounts
of natural gas, of which methane is the principal component.

1.3.2 Uses

Methane can be used as a gas for ovens, hobs etc. It combusts with oxygen to create
fire. Methane is important for electrical generation by burning it as a fuel in a gas
turbine or steam generator. Compared to other hydrocarbon fuels, burning methane
produces less carbon dioxide for each unit of heat released. At about 891 kJ/mol,
methane's heat of combustion is lower than any other hydrocarbon but the ratio of the
heat of combustion (891 kJ/mol) to the molecular mass (16.0 g/mol, of which 12.0
g/mol is carbon) shows that methane, being the simplest hydrocarbon, produces more
heat per mass unit (55.7 kJ/g) than other complex hydrocarbons. In many cities,
methane is piped into homes for domestic heating and cooking purposes.

Methane in the form of compressed natural gas is used as a vehicle fuel and is claimed
to be more environmentally friendly than other fossil fuels such as gasoline/petrol and
diesel. Research into adsorption methods of methane storage for use as an
automotive fuel is being conducted.

In a highly refined form, liquid methane is used as rocket fuel. While investigations of
methane use have existed for decades, no production methane engines have yet been
used on orbital spaceflights. This is changing, and liquid methane has recently been
selected for the active development of a variety of bipropellant rocket engines.

1.3.3 Occurrence

Methane is the major component of natural gas, about 87% by volume. The major
sources of methane are geological deposits known as natural gas fields, with coal
seam gas extraction (is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. In recent
decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada,
Australia, and other countries) becoming a major source. It is associated with other
hydrocarbon fuels, and sometimes accompanied by helium and nitrogen. The gas at
shallow levels (low pressure) forms by anaerobic decay of organic matter and
reworked methane from deep under the Earth's surface. In general, sediments buried
deeper and at higher temperatures than those that contain oil, generate natural gas.

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It is generally transported in bulk by pipeline in its natural gas form, or LNG carriers in
its liquefied form; few countries transport it by truck.

1.3.4 Alternative Sources

Apart from gas fields, an alternative method of obtaining methane is via biogas
generated by the fermentation of organic matter including manure, wastewater sludge,
municipal solid waste (including landfills), or any other biodegradable feedstock, under
anaerobic conditions. Cattle belch methane accounts for 16% of the world's annual
methane emissions to the atmosphere. Rice fields also generate large amounts of
methane during plant growth.

Methane hydrates/clathrates (ice-like combinations of methane and water on the

seafloor, found in vast quantities) are the potential future sources of methane. Cattle
belch methane accounts for 16% of the world's annual methane emissions to the
atmosphere.

1.3.5 Safety and Handling of Methane

Methane is nontoxic, yet it is extremely flammable and may form explosive mixtures
with air. Methane is violently reactive with oxidizers, halogen, and some halogen-
containing compounds. Methane is also an asphyxiant and may displace oxygen in an
enclosed space. Asphyxia may result if the oxygen concentration is reduced to below
about 16% by displacement, as most people can tolerate a reduction from 21% to 16%
without ill effects. The concentration of methane at which asphyxiation risk becomes
significant is much higher than the 5–15% concentration in a flammable or explosive
mixture. Methane off-gas can penetrate the interiors of buildings near landfills and
expose occupants to significant levels of methane. Some buildings have specially
engineered recovery systems below their basements to actively capture this gas and
vent it away from the building.

Methane gas explosions are responsible for many deadly mining disasters. A methane
gas explosion was the cause of the Upper Big Branch coal mine disaster in West
Virginia on April 5, 2010, killing 25.

Methane (CH4) is a major greenhouse gas. It is produced during anaerobic

decomposition of manure and accumulates around manure storage areas. Methane
emissions from manure depend on the way manure is managed (liquid manure
systems produce more methane than solid manure systems) and environmental
factors such as temperature and moisture (warmer temperatures and moist conditions
will produce greater amounts of methane).

Methane is an odorless gas and is lighter than air. Because methane is lighter than
air, it tends to rise and accumulate near the higher, stagnant parts of enclosed
buildings and tightly closed manure storage pits. It is most likely to accumulate during
hot, humid weather.

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Methane is extremely difficult to detect without gas detection instruments.

Concentrations in confinement livestock housing are normally well below the levels
that may be explosive; however, explosions attributed to methane have occurred
around manure storage pits without proper vents. Methane can displace oxygen in
confined areas, resulting in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Methane can explode at
concentrations of 50,000 ppm or more (a level of 5 per cent).

1.3.6 Methane Exposure Levels and its Effects

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has no permissible

exposure limit for methane, but the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health's (NIOSH) maximum recommended safe methane concentration for workers
during an 8-hour period is 1,000 ppm (0.1 percent). Methane is considered an
asphyxiant at extremely high concentrations and can displace oxygen in the blood.
The exposure limits of methane can be seen in table 1.3.

Table 1.3 - Methane exposure limits and effects

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CHAPTER 2
BIOMETHANE

2.1 Sources of Biomethane

Biomethane is a naturally occurring gas which is produced by the anaerobic digestion
of organic matter such as dead animal and plant material, manure, sewage, organic
waste, etc. The important thing to remember is that the term has entered common
usage through the need to distinguish biogas derived methane from fossil fuel
methane. Fossil fuel derived methane is known as 'natural gas'. Natural gas comes
from mineral reserves, where it has been stored in the ground since its formation from
living plants and animals hundreds of thousands of years ago. Natural gas/methane
also comes sometimes from coal mines and coal measures which emit it.

So, in other words, biogas methane or simply biomethane means 'green', 'renewable'
methane. In addition to the biomethane energy sources usually talked about, there are
others which are less known and these are either natural or unnatural in their origins.
Some of them are:

1. Gas being created naturally all the time in peat bogs and organic marine silts;

2. Methane produced in the stomachs of animals by the digestion of their foods

(ruminants);

3. Biogas being created in farm slurry tanks while farmers hold it waiting for dry
weather when they can spread the manure/slurry on to their fields;

4. Landfill gas which is simply biogas created in landfills where the conditions are
anaerobic.

2.2 Production of Biogas

Anaerobic decomposition in most cases, produces biogas methane. At the same time
it produces, carbon dioxide, some hydrogen, and other gases in traces. Anaerobic
decomposition also produces a little heat, and a final product with a higher nitrogen
content than is produced by aerobic fermentation.

The biogas production process which is usually inferred when people talk about
biomethane is Anaerobic Digestion. This is a process which consists of feeding
biomass to a large digester, in which methane-producing bacteria, under airless
conditions, convert it into the energy-rich biogas.

The action of mixing and heating with the digester allows the bacteria to come into
contact with the feedstock material, which provides food for the bacteria to multiply

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and convert the complex organic compounds into much simpler mostly soluble
compounds. For example, sugars and starches, which then react in further stages
giving off methane gas, which comprises about two thirds of biogas. The gas, a mixture
of methane and CO2, is used for direct combustion in cooking or lighting applications,
or to power combustion engines for motive power or electricity generation.

Methane biogas technology is a renewable energy technology that uses various forms
of biomass (animal dung, crop waste) and converts it into a useful energy source in
the form of a gas (about 70% methane), via anaerobic microbial digestion.
Methanogens are organisms that make methane via a unique metabolic pathway with
unique enzymes. This produces a mixture of gases, primarily methane and carbon
dioxide, and a nutrient-rich slurry. Methane rises into the gas holder where it is
contained by a water seal. When the mixture of methane and air (oxygen) burn a blue
flame is emitted, producing large amount of heat energy.

Methane biogas can be used for all the purposes in which natural gas is used, and
can be used as the renewable equivalent of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) as well.
Methane biogas has in the past been more expensive to produce than simply drilling
for natural gas and pumping vast quantities of natural gas to our homes and industries.
Methane biogas is about to become much more important as an energy source than
it has ever been in the past, due to the ever rising cost of natural gas.

2.3 Importance of Biomethane as an Alternative Energy Source

Indian Government has accorded very high priority to develop and expand installed
capacity base of power generation through non-conventional sources of electricity
generation. There is a separate Ministry in the Government of India to exclusively
focus on this important area of power generation. National Electricity Policy notified in
2005 in pursuance of the Electricity Act, 2003, prescribes that State Electricity
Regulatory Commissions should prescribe a proportion of power which should be
produced and supplied to the grid through the non-conventional sources of power
generation. Some of the Regulatory Commissions have come out with specific policy
guidelines with a different approach on tariff for these plants in order to encourage
alternative technologies and environment-friendly projects. The data obtained from the
Ministry of Power, Govt. of India is given in table 2.1.

Table 2.1 - Non-conventional energy sources in India

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Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES) had set a target of achieving at

least 10,000 MW capacity through various non-conventional sources, by the year
2012.

Figures 1 & 2 give information regarding the energy consumption in India and other
countries.

The share of different renewable energy sources in India are shown in table 2.2.

Table 2.2 – Share of different renewable energy sources in India

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The achievements of Off Grid Power Generation Systems in India are shown in table 2.3.

Table 2.3 – Achievement of Off Grid Power System

Hence, there is huge scope for fuels from the Biomass sector. Biofuels will play a major
role in India’s energy scenario in the coming years and newer, more modern
techniques will be used to extract biofuels from the agricultural and industrial wastes.
Modernizing the Biofuel sector will help India and many other countries in realizing the
potential of biofuels in the energy sector.

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CHAPTER 3
PURIFICATION OF BIOGAS AND THE EXTRACTION OF
METHANE
3.1 Introduction

In contrary to fossil fuel derived methane which is simply pumped from the ground,
biomethane is produced from “fresh” organic matter in landfills or biogas plants. Both
methods base on anaerobic digestion which is performed by the anaerobic microbes
that thrive in absence of oxygen. These microbes, however, do not produce pure
methane. They also produce carbon dioxide and some other gases which is why
biogas typically requires treatment known as scrubbing to make it useful as fuel.

Although biogas plants produce carbon dioxide and some other greenhouse gases,
they do not contribute to the greenhouse effect. On the contrary, they help reduce the
emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases which warm up the Earth’s atmosphere.
Firstly, biomethane production prevents release of methane which is one of the most
potent greenhouse gases, secondly it reduces the amounts of a number of
greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere when organic matter is left
to decompose naturally, thirdly it reduces the need for fossil fuel burning which is the
number one cause of global warming and lastly, it reduces the need for firewood and
helps save the forests which remove considerable amounts of carbon dioxide and
other air pollutants.

Production of biomethane by biogas plants basically follows the natural process of

methane production. Biogas plants collect various types of organic matter and store it
in air-tight tanks to create ideal conditions for the anaerobic microbes that produce gas
during digestion. Biogas which mostly consists of methane and carbon dioxide is then
stored on the top of the digester tank or is extracted to the nearby gas holders.
Depending on the production processes and the type of organic matter used, biogas
may require treatment to remove toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and volatile
siloxanes.

In addition to producing biomethane, many biogas plants use it on site to produce

electricity or heat. Farm-based biogas plants for instance use the produced
biomethane to cover their own energy needs but they may also sell surplus of
electricity to the grid or suppliers. Off farm-based biogas plants produce biomethane
for the market either by generating electricity/heat themselves or selling biomethane
in a compressed form to the gas mains.

3.2 Purification of Biogas

Existing technologies to purify biogas are summarized below with their strengths and
weaknesses.

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1. Water and Polyethylene Glycol Scrubbing

Water scrubbing is used to remove CO2 and H2S from biogas since these gases are
more soluble in water than methane. The absorption process is purely physical.
Usually the biogas is pressurized and fed to the bottom of a packed column while
water is fed on the top and so the absorption process is operated counter-currently.
Water scrubbing can also be used for selective removal of H2S (because H2S is more
soluble in water than carbon dioxide.) The water which exits the column with absorbed
CO2 and/or H2S can be regenerated and re-circulated back to the absorption column.
Regeneration is accomplished by de-pressuring or by stripping with air in a similar
column. Stripping with air is not recommended when high levels of H2S are handled
since the water quickly becomes contaminated with elementary sulfur which causes
operational problems. Flow chart of water scrubbing technology is given in Fig.3.1.

Polyethylene glycol scrubbing relies on the same underlying mechanism as water

scrubbing, with a physical absorption process that works because both CO2 and H2S
are more soluble than methane in the solvent. Selexol is the trade name for one of the
common solvents used for this process. The big difference between water and
solvents is that CO2 and H2S are more soluble in Selexol which results in a lower
solvent demand and reduced pumping.

Fig.3.1 - Flow chart of water scrubbing technology

The advantages of scrubbing are no special chemicals required (except relatively

inexpensive glycol) and removal of both CO2 and H2S. The disadvantages of water
scrubbing are that it requires a lot of water even with regeneration, as well as
limitations on H2S removal, because the CO2 decreases pH of the solution and
corrosion to the equipment caused by H2S.

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2. Chemical Absorption

Chemical absorption involves formation of reversible chemical bonds between the

solute and the solvent. Regeneration of the solvent, therefore, involves breaking of
these bonds and correspondingly, a relatively high energy input. Chemical solvents
generally employ either aqueous solutions of amines (i.e. mono-, di- or tri-
ethanolamine) or aqueous solution of alkaline salts (i.e. sodium, potassium and
calcium hydroxides).

Biswas et al. (1977) reported that bubbling biogas through a 10% aqueous solution of
mono-ethanolamine (Nelder and Mead) reduced the CO2 content of biogas 40 to 0.5–
1.0% by volume. MEA solution can be completely regenerated by boiling for 5 min and
is then ready for re-use. The advantages of chemical absorption are complete H 2S
removal, high efficiency and reaction rates compared to water scrubbing, and the
ability to operate at low pressure. Because of these advantages, the process is
commonly used in industrial applications, including natural gas purification (Kim et al.,
2004; Palmeri et al., 2008). The disadvantages are the additional chemical inputs
needed and the need to treat waste chemicals from the process. The flow chart of
chemical absorption process is shown in Fig.3.2.

Fig.3.2 - Flow chart of chemical absorption process

3. Pressure Swing Adsorption

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a technology used to separate some gas species
from a mixture of gases under pressure according to the species' molecular
characteristics and affinity for an adsorbent material (Fig.3.3). It operates at near-
ambient temperatures and so differs from cryogenic distillation techniques of gas
separation. Special adsorptive materials (e.g., zeolites and active carbon) are used as

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a molecular sieve, preferentially adsorbing the target gas species at high pressure.
The process then swings to low pressure to desorb the adsorbent material (Cavenati
et al., 2005).

Fig.3.3 - Pressure-swing adsorption schematic

The PSA process relies on the fact that under pressure, gases tend to be attracted to
solid surfaces, or "adsorbed". The higher the pressure, the more gas is adsorbed;
when the pressure is reduced, the gas is released, or desorbed. PSA processes can
separate gases in a mixture because different gases tend to be attracted to different
solid surfaces more or less strongly. If a gas mixture such as air, for example, is
passed under pressure through a vessel containing an adsorbent bed that attracts
nitrogen more strongly than it does oxygen, part or all of the nitrogen will stay in the
bed, and the gas coming out of the vessel will be enriched in oxygen. When the bed
reaches the end of its capacity to adsorb nitrogen, it can be regenerated by reducing
the pressure, thereby releasing the adsorbed nitrogen. It is then ready for another
cycle of producing oxygen enriched air. However, during biogas purification, the
adsorption material adsorbs H2S irreversibly and thus is poisoned by H2S. For this
reason a preliminary H2S removing step is often included in the PSA process.

PSA using zeolites or activated carbon at different pressure levels is an effective

method for the separation of CO2 from methane (Grande and Rodrigues, 2007; Pinto
et al., 2008). Activated carbon impregnated with potassium iodide can catalytically
react with oxygen and H2S to form water and sulfur (Pipatmanomai et al., 2009). The
reaction is best achieved at 7 to 8 bar (unit of pressure) and 50 to 70°C. The activated
carbon beds also need regeneration or replacement when saturated. The advantages
of PSA technology are more than 97% CH4 enrichment, low power demand, and low
emission and removal of nitrogen and oxygen. The main disadvantage of PSA
technology is an additional H2S removal step needed before PSA. Also, tail gas from
PSA still needs to be treated.
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4. Membrane Technology

The principle of membrane separation is that some components of the raw gas are
transported through a thin membrane while others are retained. The permeability is a
direct function of the chemical solubility of the target component in the membrane.
Solid membranes can be constructed as hollow fiber modules or other structures
which give a large membrane surface per volume and thus very compact units
(Fig.3.4). Typical operating pressures are in the range of 25-40 bars. The underlying
principle of membrane separation creates a tradeoff between high methane purity in
the upgraded gas and high methane yield. The purity of the upgraded gas can be
improved by increasing the size or number of the membrane modules, but more of the
methane will permeate through the membranes and be lost.

Fig.3.4 - Flow chart of membrane biogas purification process

There are two membrane separation techniques: high pressure gas separation and
gas-liquid adsorption. The high pressure separation process selectively separates H2S
and CO2 from CH4. Usually, this separation is performed in three stages and produces
96% pure CH4. Gas liquid adsorption is a newly developed process that uses micro-
porous hydrophobic membranes as an interface between gas and liquids. The CO 2
and H2S dissolve into the liquid while the methane (which remains a gas) is collected
for use (Chatterjee et al., 1997; Harasimowicz et al., 2007).

The advantages of membrane separation are that the process is compact, light in
weight, has low energy and maintenance requirements and easy processing. The
disadvantages of membrane separation are relatively low CH4 yield and high
membrane cost.

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5. Cryogenic Separation

Cryogenic separation of biogas is based on the fact that CO2, H2S and all other biogas
contaminants can be separated from CH4 based on the fact that each contaminant
liquefies at a different temperature-pressure domain. This separation process
operates at low temperatures, near -100°C, and at high pressures, almost 40 bars.
These operating requirements are maintained by using a linear series of compressors
and heat changers. Fig.3.5 shows the schematic of a typical cryogenic separation unit.

Fig.3.5 - Schematic of cryogenic separation

Crude biogas streams through the first heat exchanger which cools the gas down to
70°C. This heat exchanger makes use of the product stream as cooling medium, which
is energy efficient and has the advantage of preheating the upgraded biogas before
leaving the plant. The first cooling step is followed by a cascade of compressors and
heat exchangers which cool the inlet gas down to -100°C and compress it to 40 bars
before it enters the distillation column. Finally, the distillation column separates CH 4
from the other contaminants, mainly H2S and CO2.

The main advantage of cryogenic separation is the high purity of the upgraded biogas
(99% CH4), as well as the large quantities that can be efficiently processed. The main
disadvantage of cryogenic separation is that cryogenic processes require the use of
considerable process equipment, mainly compressors, turbines and heat exchangers.
The need for the equipment raises capital and operating costs relative to other options.

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CHAPTER 4
CASE STUDY

The first Biogas Bottling Plant towards commercialization in India by the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India at village - Talwade, Dist. – Nasik
(Maharashtra).

Keeping in view the energy shortage in the country there is a need to tap biomass
resources such as cattle dung, kitchen waste, agricultural waste etc. for generation of
biogas through the involvement of entrepreneurs and industries to set up decentralized
biogas based energy infrastructure in the country, at the potential sites where biomass
available is plenty.

Under technology demonstration of new RDD&D Policy of Ministry of New and

Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Ministry took up a new initiative for bottling of biogas
to demonstrate an Integrated Technology-package in entrepreneurial mode on
medium size mixed feed biogas-fertilizer plants (BGFP) for generation,
purification/enrichment, bottling and piped distribution of biogas. Installation of such
plants aims at meeting stationary and motive power, cooling, refrigeration and
electricity needs in addition to cooking and heating requirements. There could be a
huge potential of installation of medium size biogas-fertilizer plants in the country.
Under the demonstration phase, the Ministry is providing a central financial assistance

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from 30-50% of the cost (excluding cost of land) for a limited number of such projects
for implementation following an entrepreneurial mode on Built, Own and Operate
(BOO) and re-imbursement basis.

The proposals are proposed to be evaluated by experts and considered by Technology

Demonstration Appraisal Committee of the Ministry. Recommended projects are to be
implemented, operated and owned by the concerned industries/entrepreneurs/ project
developers.

A 500cum biogas generation per day capacity BGFP project for generation,
purification/enrichment, bottling of biogas was sanctioned by the MNRE with Rs. 50
lakh CFA during the year 2009-10 to Ashoka Biogreen Pvt. Ltd. at vill.- Talwade, Dist.
– Nashik (Maharashtra).

Accordingly, the first biogas bottling plant under Technology Demonstration of new
RDD&D policy of MNRE was commissioned on 16.03.2011 after obtaining license for
filling and storage of compressed biogas in CNG cylinders from Petroleum &
Explosives Safety Organization (PESO).

The biogas generated from the plant at vill.- Talwade, Dist. – Nasik (Maharashtra) by
Ashoka Biogreen Pvt. Ltd. have been purified and a purity of 98.4% methane has been
achieved through test conducted by Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, Delhi
(NABL). The results are given below:

Table 4.1 – Composition of Bottled Biogas (at the BGFP, Trimbakeshwar)

The purity of the enriched biogas is continuously monitored by online analyzing system
along with calibration of analyzers. The purified biogas is equivalent/similar to CNG.
The biogas generation capacity of the plant is 500 cum per day and based on
NISARGRUNA (BARC) Technology (http://www.barc.gov.in/). The purity of biogas is
about 98% and compressed to 150-bar pressure for filling in cylinders.

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The schematic diagram of the BGFP project is given below:

The upgraded biogas is used for power generation, cooking and industrial application.
The slurry of biogas plant is being based as an organic fertilizer in their nearby agro
fields. The field trials have indicated 150% growth in agro-production and substantial
improvements in the quality.

The salient features of BGFP project are given below:

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CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSIONS

1. Energy is vital for development and this means that if India is to move to a
higher growth trajectory than is now feasible, it must ensure the reliable
availability of energy. The present energy scenario in India is not satisfactory.
The power supply position prevailing in the country is characterized by
persistent shortages and unreliability and also high prices for industrial
consumers. There is also concern about the position regarding petroleum
products. India depends to the extent of 70-80 percent on imported oil, and this
naturally raises issues about energy security.
2. India needs to look increasingly towards renewable energy for attaining energy
security by 2050 and India’s target of getting around 15.9% of total energy need
from renewable sources by 2022 is too modest (MNRE).
3. It is equally important that all issues concerning environment protection and
enrichment are addressed adequately and sincerely.
4. India is also associated in most of the global initiatives aimed at mitigating
climate change related challenges. India is a founder member in the Carbon
Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), Methane to Market Partnership, and
International Partnership for Hydrogen Economy, and Asia-Pacific Partnership
for Clean Development and Climate, etc.
5. Biofuels and specifically methane (which is similar to Natural Gas and also cost-
effective) can be the driving force for achieving energy security in India,
especially in rural India. It can be locally generated and used and thereby helps
in reducing the costs as well as carbon footprints.

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REFERENCES

1. Bio-gas generation and factors affecting the bio-gas generation – a review

study by Harilal S. Sorathia , Dr. Pravin P. Rathod, Arvind S. Sorathiya –
Government Engineering College, Bhuj – Kutch, Gujarat
2. Biofuels sources, biofuel policy, biofuel economy and global biofuel
projections - Ayhan Demirbas - www.elsevier.com/locate/enconman
3. Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka -
Biogas production potential of select raw materials commonly found in house
hold waste M.P.P.R. Kumara and S. Wijetunga
4. Garcia M, An Introduction Linking Energy Use and Human Development,
Energy for Human Development, Report 1, Available:
www.idiom.com/~garcia/EFHD_01.htm
5. http://www.energyliteracy.org/
6. http://www.mnre.gov.in/
7. http://www.powermin.nic.in
8. http://www.anaerobic-digestion.com
9. http://www.automobileindia.com
10. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) -
www.iosrjournals.org
11. International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) –
Volume 17 Number 4 – Nov 2014 - Extraction of Methane from Natural
Product and Natural Wastes: A Review by T.Manoj and D.Ravichandran
12. Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment 3 (2012) - Ministry of
Environment and Forests, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, Delhi, India
13. Meier PJ, Life-cycle assessment of electricity generation systems and
applications for climate change policy analysis (2002) Ph.D Dissertation,
University of Wisconsin, Madyson, http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/pdf/fdm1181.pdf
14. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Government of India New Delhi
(Economic Division) (2009-10) Basic Statistics on Indian Petroleum & Natural
Gas, http://petroleum.nic.in/petstat.pdf
15. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Bio-energy Technology Development
Group- BGFP) (http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/success-
story_first_Biogas_Bottling_Plant_towards_commercialization-in-India.pdf)
16. Methane fermentation process as anaerobic digestion of biomass:
Transformations, stages and microorganisms – A review by Krzysztof
Ziemiński, and Magdalena Frąc- http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB
17. Methane production from lignocellulosic agricultural crop wastes: a review in
context to second generation of biofuel production -
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/241756881
18. OECD (2010) Key World Energy Statistics 2010, OECD Publishing

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19. OECD/IEA (2010) Energy Poverty How to make modern energy access
universal
20. Q. Zhao, E. Leonhardt, C. MacConnell, C. Frear and S. Chen., Purification
Technologies for Biogas Generated by Anaerobic Digestion, CSANR
Research Report 2010 – 001
21. Renewable Energy Generation from Biomass – Biogas in India - Riek, Isabell;
Rücker, Angelika; Schall, Theresa; Uhlig, Manuela - Center for Applied
International Finance and Development (CAIFD)
22. UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) (1995) - Energy as an
Instrument for Socio Economic Development. New York
23. World Energy Council (2010) - Survey of Energy resources, London
(https://www.worldenergy.org/)

DISCUSSIONS
Q1. What are the types of feed used (in biogas digester) at the Trimbakeshwar BGFP
project?

A. Biodegradable wastes such as agricultural wastes and cattle dung is being

used to feed the biogas digester at the Trimbakeshwar BGFP project.

Q2. What is the amount of solid waste that is being generated in Bangalore city and
can it be used for biogas generation?

A. According to a case study (Ramachandra, T.V. and Bachamanda, S. (2007)

‘Environmental audit of Municipal Solid Waste Management’, Int. J.
Environmental Technology and Management, Vol. 7, Nos. 3/4, pp.369–391) the
amount of waste generated in Bangalore city varies from 1700 MT/day to 2300
MT/day, of which 55-60% is organic waste. Hence, by proper
segregation/management of organic and inorganic wastes, biogas generation
(using organic wastes) can be a reality in Bangalore city.

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