Biogas

Anaerobic digestion is the decomposition of organic waste to gaseous fuel by bacteria in an Oxygen-free environment. Biogas can be produced by fermenting organic material in the absence of air.

The final product known as biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and some trace gases. It is also known as; sewer gas, fuel gas, marsh gas, wet gas and in India more commonly gobar gas

Anarobic digestion
Process

(a) Hydrolysis step

Large polymers like cellulose/enzymes etc are hydrolysed by hydrolytic bacteria to smaller sizes decomposable by bacteria

(b) Acid formation step

The monomeric components from hydrolysis step are converted into with volatile fatty acids by acetogens (eg acetic acid) along with CO2, H2 except formates

(c) Methan formation step

Methanegenic bacteria finally convert acetic acid, methanol, CO2 & H2 to methane and Co2 (biogas).

Biogas composition
Sl. No. 1 2 Constituents CH4 Co2 % (V/V)

60 38 <1 ~1 4500 4700 k cal/m3

3 4 5

H2 S H2O vapors Heating value

Biogas Plants
KVIC/floating dome type
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Gas is released at constant pressure Identifying the defects in gas holder easy Cost of maintenance is high Capital cost is high Floating drum does not allow the use of space for other purpose (vi) Temperature is low during winter (vii) Life is short (viii) Requires relatively less excavation (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)

Janta/fixed dome type

Gas is released at variable pressure Identifying defects is difficult Cost of maintenance is low Capital cost is low (for some capacity) Space above the drum can be used

(vi) Temperature is high during winter (vii) Life span is comparatively longer (viii) Requires move excavation work

Applications of Biogas
(A) Engine Operation It is an anti knock fuel and has the ability to with stand high compression ratios. It is an octane enhancer and has high heat of vaporization. Pre-ignition and knock resistance makes it suitable for high output engines and for super charging of the engine. Its low CV, high viscosity, greater surface tension and hydroscopic nature are some difficulties in its use as a complete fuel. Can be used to operate IC engine in dual fuel mode or 100% biogas engines operated spark ignited oHo engine.

Fermentation
Process of production of ethyl alcohol from any feedstocks containing sugar or starch or also from cellulosic materials. Feedstocks:
Sugar: Sugar beets, sugar cane, sweet sorgham, Fruits etc Starches: Grains like corn, wheat, potatoes etc. Cellulose: Wood, solid waste, agricultural wastes etc.

Process of production:
Fermentation of fermentable sugar solution Fermentation of sugar solution to Ehtyl alcohol Separation of ethanol from other by products.

Process of Production
Feedstocks Milling Sterilization Cooking (enzymes & water added to form mess) Cooling Fermentation (yeasts addition) (2 days) Bear (10% ethyl alcohol) Distillation Dehydration Denaturation Fuel alcohol

Applications
95% anhydrous ethanol can be used as 5 10% blends with petrol in petrol engines (already being used in India in metro cities only) Alcohol can also be used as mixture with diesel in diesel engine.