1
Oct 27, 2014
1
2
INTRODUCTION
Diminishing forests, and a burgeoning, mainly rural biomass-dependent population of
984 million, necessitates a co-ordinated effort of rural India to supply itself with a
dependable and sustained source of energy.
Biomass alone currently meets 57% of the national energy demand, yet is rarely
featured in any 'official' statistics of energy use, given perhaps its scattered nature,
and its low status as fuel. Indeed, according to statistics, in 1995, 63.3% of India's
energy production was from its reserves of low-grade coal, 18.6% from petroleum,
while hydroelectricity, natural gas and nuclear accounted for 8.9%, 8.2%, and 1%
respectively.
India's overall energy production in 1995 was approximately 8.8 quadrillion Btu
(quads), while consumption was 10.5 quads. India's energy demand is increasing,
and its inability to step up production to meet demand, has increased India's reliance
on costly imports, the gap between consumption and production projected to widen
into the next century, as demand for energy is projected to grow at an annual rate of
4.6% - one of the highest in the world. Energy for developing industries, transport, and
a drive towards the electrification of India over the last three decades of an expanding
residential sector, so that currently, a great percentage of villages in the subcontinent
have access to the grid- as much as 90%, according to recent figures (EIA, 1998),
have contributed to the energy production deficit.
Fuelwood is the primary source of biomass, derived from natural forests, plantations,
woodlots and trees around the homestead.
3
Table 1: The estimated potential of various RES technologies in
India
Source / System Approximate Potential
Biogas plants (in millions)
Improved woodstoves (in
millions)
Biogas (MW)
Solar energy (MW / km2)
Wind energy (MW)
Small hydro power (MW)
Ocean energy (MW)
12
120
17,000
20
20,000
10,000
50,000
APPLICATION OF BIOGAS IN RURAL INDUSTRIES
As using part of purified biogas. From theoretical estimation agriculture is main
occupation in rural areas, industries about 245 MJ dayG energy is required for
purification and related with agricultural produce such as food processing
compression operation which is about 25% of the total unit (Fruits, Chilies, tomato
sauce, jam, vegetable drying energy generated per day through biogas. The net
energy etc.), flour and spice mill, mini oil expeller etc. are more available in terms of
Liquefied Biogas is about 735 MJ successful in these areas. They are not only based
on dayG . It is bottled at 10×10 kPa pressure in 4 cylinders in local produce, but also
provide employment to people a day when they need it most. These industries can
run easily Considering US $ 6250 as capital expenditure and on power develop by
4
diesel engine using bottled energy US $ 634 annual operational expenditure for 60 m
dayG of biogas than diesel/electricity. Here rural industries capacity biogas plant and
bottling system, the cost of which can power through 60 m dayG capacity biogas.
WHY BIOGAS?
Biogas has an enormous potential of 17,000 MW (estimated). Biogas technology is a
particularly useful system in the Indian rural economy, and can fulfil several end uses.
The gas is useful as a fuel substitute for firewood, dung, agricultural residues, petrol,
diesel, and electricity, depending on the nature of the task, and local supply conditions
and constraints, thus supplying energy for cooking and lighting. Biogas systems also
provide a residue organic waste, after anaerobic digestion that has superior nutrient
qualities over the usual organic fertilizer, cattle dung, as it is in the form of ammonia.
Anaerobic digesters also function as a waste disposal system, particularly for human
waste, and can, therefore, prevent potential sources of environmental contamination
and the spread of pathogens. Small-scale industries are also made possible, from the
sale of surplus gas to the provision of power for a rural-based industry, therefore,
biogas may also provide the user with income generating opportunities. The gas can
also be used to power engines, in a dual fuel mix with petrol and diesel, and can aid in
pumped irrigation systems. Biogas can also be utilized for:
1.) Electricity production on sewage works, cooking, space heating, water
heatingand process heating.
2.) If compressed, it can replace compressed natural gas for use in vehicles, where
it can fuel an internal combustion engine or fuel cellsand is a much more effective
displacer of carbon dioxide than the normal use in on site CHP plants.
3.) Methane within biogas can be concentrated to the same standards as fossil
5
natural gas; when it is, it is called biomethane.
4.) If concentrated and compressed it can also be used in vehicle transportation.
Liquefied Biogas is becoming widely used in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. A
biogas-powered train has been in service in Sweden since 2005.
Apart from the direct benefits gleaned from biogas systems, there are other, perhaps
less tangible benefits associated with this renewable technology. By providing an
alternative source of fuel, biogas can replace the traditional biomass based fuels,
notably wood. Introduced on a significant scale, biogas may reduce the dependence
on wood from forests, and create a vacuum in the market, at least for firewood.
The use of biogas systems in an agrarian community can increase agricultural
productivity. All the agricultural residue, and dung generated within the community is
available for anaerobic digestion, whereas previously, a portion would be combusted
daily for fuel. Therefore more is returned to the land. An increase in land fertility, then,
can result in an increase in agricultural production. The knock on benefits may include
improved subsistence, increased local food security, or income generation from a
higher output.
EVOLUTION OF BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY
Biogas plants in India were experimentally introduced in the 1930's, and research was
principally focused around the Sewage Purification Station at Dadar in Bombay,
undertaken by S.V. Desai and N.V. Joshi of the Soil Chemistry Division, Indian
Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi.
6
Research into anaerobic digesters continued around the country, and the Planning
Research and Action Division (PRAD) based in Uttar Pradesh, northern India
developed the 'Janata' fixed-dome plant, based on a modified design widely used in
China.
The discussion so far has highlighted the potential contribution of biogas systems in a
rural, Indian economy. Although the systems evolve through a process of research
and development, the critical test of their appropriateness, and ultimate usefulness, is
their application in the field.
Table 2: Different types of biogas plant recognized by MNES
(Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources). After Gate, 1999.
Floating-drum plant with a cylinder digester (KVIC model).
Fixed-dome plant with a brick reinforced, moulded dome (Janata
model).
Floating-drum plant with a hemisphere digester (Pragati model).
Fixed-dome plant with a hemisphere digester (Deenbandhu
model).
Floating-drum plant made of angular steel and plastic foil (Ganesh
model).
Floating-drum plant made of pre-fabricated reinforced concrete
compound units.
Floating-drum plant made of fibreglass reinforced polyester.
7
In the 1980's, the NPBD was active in promoting biogas in low-caste and tribal areas
of Udaipur, Rajasthan, north-western India. It conducted a survey in eight villages of
mixed caste and tribe, in an attempt to assess the impact and effectiveness of NPBD
in these areas. 114 samples of families who had installed biogas plants under the
NPBD programme up to 1985, notably the cheaper fixed-dome Janata were
considered. The data revealed some interesting findings; of the 114 beneficiaries, 107
were registered as 'landless' or 'marginal', though the survey discovered the plant
owners were mostly the wives or sons, of landowners who owned between 6-20 acres
of land.
As a success for the NPBD, the scheme is described as a 'peoples' programme'. That
participation amongst farmers is high is a positive sign of the potential role of biogas
in an agricultural community, however, the programme does not appear to be
delivering to the rural poor, as defined by scheduled caste and tribe, which may be
indicative of the inherent incompatibility of the technology with regard to marginalised
groups.
Uptake of biogas technology among scheduled caste and Adivasi (tribal) groups then
is found to vary across the subcontinent, though even where participation is high, the
technology may not be truly viable. As household size plants may be generally non-
viable to many scheduled caste and Adivasi groups, community size plants might be
more appropriate. Larger sized plants, servicing a cluster of houses, or indeed a
whole village, may overcome the seemingly insurmountable problems apparent
regarding individual plants and the rural poor, as discussed earlier.
8
Table 3: Daily dung requirements and dung fed (quintal =100kg)
Name of
village
Dung
requirement
Dung fed Difference
From
village
From
outside
Total
Mehdoodan
Peharkalan
Ablowal
Passiana
Hambran
Pandori
Chabewal
30
30
30
30
95
30
30
14
16
10
12
45
12
-
-
4
10
10
-
3
30
14
20
20
22
45
15
30
16
10
10
8
50
15
-
With each cow producing approximately 12 pounds of manure a day (7,500 Btu/dry
pound), cattle operations have the potential of producing up to 1 kilowatt of energy per
cow per day. Much of this potential energy is lost through natural processes, and in
collecting and managing the waste. With concentrations of cattle exceeding 100,000
at some dairy and feeding operations, the potential for energy recovery is significant.
Although the potential resource is significant, the economics of generating energy
from animal waste are not as favorable as for digesters or landfill operations. Primary
reason is that animal waste is land applied, so there are significant costs associated
with waste collection and treatment that need to be considered as part of an energy
recovery project. Environmental and groundwater standards, are becoming
increasingly important. In highly agricultural areas, these requirements are imposing
added costs on dairy operators. Installing energy recovery systems enables some of
these costs to be offset, which is a factor that is increasingly important.
9
FACTORS HINDERING SPERAD OF BIOGAS
It would be worth briefly considering the problems associated with the alternative
technology, in terms of technical/operational, economic, and cultural aspects, which
may potentially hinder its spread. Finally, the government's overall approach in
disseminating biogas technology will be considered.
Technically, problems have arisen from installing too large a capacity plant, either by
accident or design. There is a general tendency for householders to construct an
over-sized plant, even when they are only used for cooking purposes and not applied
to wider energy demands. Too large a plant was found to lead to under feeding, and
eventual failure of the plants to produce gas. Under feeding was also found to occur
due to the under-collection of dung, estimated typically at 30-40% of the required
capacity, and principally due to cattle being worked in the field, which would also lead
to a reduction in gas production. Dung may also vary in its availability. As mentioned
earlier, in areas of climatic instability, the occurrence of drought may reduce dung
availability, by forced sale of cattle, or even death of cattle. Sometimes the plants are
faulty in their construction, or develop problems that lead to the non-functioning of the
plant, due to shoddy construction.
The system of grants and loans may hinder the correct choice of plant for different
users, such as the ineligibility of community size systems, due to their size. While
finally, another point in prohibiting uptake may be the perceived unnecessary switch
from the existing free source of energy, such as wood and crop residues. Cultural
practices may also hinder general uptake, due to reluctance to adopt different
behavior, particularly regarding the use of latrines in biogas systems. Traditional
cooking practises may also need to be altered.
The problems discussed above may be overcome, through effective selection
processes for the technology, and proper extension and support services. By all
10
accounts, the government does not seem to be effectively organised to achieve such
a goal, and a high number of non-operative biogas plants are likely to continue.
Criticisms of NPBD have been widely articulated, from the lax selection process, to
the arbitrary fixing of regional targets, which are then pursued. In a study of biogas
uptake in Maharashtra, that in a sample of 1670 plants, 1086 beneficiaries were found
not to qualify under the feasibility criteria. There is a lack of available technical
support. In this way, plants may be allowed to fall into disrepair, when their functioning
may depend upon adequate maintenance skills, which should be available in every
village. There is a danger that biogas may come to be thought of as a useless and
inappropriate initiative, a folly imposed from policy makers and NGO's.
Compared to the biogas programme in China, where seven million household and
community biogas systems have been successfully installed, India has a long way to
go to realise the benefits of biogas technology. China, through the creation of effective
institutions and by placing an emphasis on training and education, has achieved
widespread dissemination of biogas technology, though the social organisation may
particularly facilitate the spread of new, community-focused technologies.
CONCEPT OF LBG
Biogas contains a large proportion (about 40 % by volume) of carbon dioxide, a
heavier and non combustible gas and some fraction of hydrogen sulphide. Hence it is
needed to enrich biogas by removing these undesirable gases to save compression
energy and space in bottle and corroding effect, which can be done by scrubbing. The
scrubbing system is found to enrich methane about 95 % or more depending upon
biogas inlet and water injection pressure. Biogas can be used for all applications
11
designed for natural gas,
assuming sufficient purification.
Scope of the technology
Enriched biogas is made moisture free by passing it through filters, after which it is
compressed up to 200 bar pressure using a three stage gas compressor.
Compressed gas is stored in high pressure steel cylinders as used for CNG. There is
large potential of this technology in buses, tractors, cars, auto rickshaws, irrigation
pump sets and in rural industries. This will help to meet our energy demand for rural
masses thus reducing the dependence on extremely valuable and insufficient fuels,
like petroleum.
Biogas (LBG) Purification and Bottling
India has a huge population of humans and cattle. One fifth of the population of earth
as well as millions of cattle reside in India. So bio-logical waste is available in
abundance.
Unfortunately no conscientious effort, except the traditional use of animal waste as
manure, has been made to some extent. No effort has been made to use this waste
for the purpose of production of energy to run power plants, vehicles etc. Several
years back a half hearted effort was made to use this Bio- Gas as a source of cooking
with the help of bio-digesters. This was done by marginal farmers/cattle breeders
having one or two cattle. Obviously it did not bring any worth while response. Due to
the small size of the plant and improper handling the out put of the gas was limited
and irregular. It has always been considered only as a stand by alternative
12
arrangement.
At no time in the past, an all out effort to utilise the potentiality of large cattle breeders,
Gaushallas and Panjrapols has even been considered.
By an approximate formula, 100 cows will give/day 1000/Kg of cow dung, this in a bio
digester will yield about 40 M3 of Gobar gas. After removing impurities such as CO2,
Sulphur, Moisture etc will yield about 20M3 or 17Kg of pure methane gas.
It is only now that, a Technology has been developed by us, enabling the use of this
gas from Bio digester. Gober gas is purified of all impurities and moisture. Pure
Methane gas is than Compressed. This Compressed Bio - Gas is capable of running
Power plants & Vehicles.
Brief description & operation of the plant is as under
This Project is designed for
Bottling Biogas
Generating power using non-conventional energy
Driving conventional vehicles using non-conventional energy
The Project has two parts:
Ist part Deals in separating impurities such as moisture, Carbon dioxide and
Hydrogen sulfide and generating pure Methane from Biogas.
IInd part Deals in Filtering, compressing and filling Methane in a Gas Bottle i.e. a CNG
13
Dispenser making it suitable as an IC Engine fuel.
Ist part
Biogas is an economical, renewable and an eco-friendly fuel. Biogas is produced in
an anaerobic digester i.e. a Gobar gas plant. Biogas in its natural self consists of
Moisture, Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen sulfide and Methane gas. Methane has a high
calorific value in its pure stage. Due to the presence of impurities Biogas becomes a
very low calorific value fuel and hence finds a very limited application even though it is
cheap and easily available.
We have to extract pure and high calorific value fuel methane from low calorific fuel
Biogas to make it an IC Engine suitable fuel. Once pure Methane is available in
suitable quality and quantity it finds a wide range of applications from running an oil
engine, driving a Motor car Engine to operating a Gas Turbine for rural power
generation.
Biogas generated from the digester is allowed to flow through moisture traps. This
process drains out the Moisture present in the gas. The gas is than allowed to counter
flow in a specially designed Sulfide extractor. This filter drains out Balance Moisture
along with the present sulfides.
Treated gas is pressurized with the help of a primary compressor. The filters mounted
drain out any present moisture and Oil present post compression.
The pressurized clean gas is than passed through a Physical Separation Device. The
Physical Separation Device is a specially designed modern high pressure combined
14
directional flow device for cleaning Biogas of it high impurities.
A measuring device is fitted after the filters to gauge the quantum of clean Methane
gas collected in the collecting tank.
IInd part
This part of our system now deals in bottling this clean Methane gas into a standard
CNG bottle. Gaseous Fuel generates maximum efficiency when it is injected into any
CNG converted Internal combustion Engine with the desired constant pressure.
The cleaned Methane gas is than taken into a 3-Stage high-pressure compressor.
The compressor compresses the gas from
a) Atmospheric to 10Kg/cm2 in stage I
b) 10Kg/cm2 to 60Kg/cm2 in stage II
c) 60Kg/cm2 to 250Kg/cm2 in stage III
This pressure is considered suitable to fill up a CNG bottle rack. This CNG Bottle
Rack can than be connected to a standard CNG Dispenser unit. Now this purified
Gobar gas is ready to be used as Fuel in a motor car, or run a Gas Turbine or any
CNG converted Internal combustion engine connected to an alternator to produce
electricity.
We have renamed this Purified Biogas as LBG - LIQUEFIED BIOGAS.
The whole System from Input of Biogas into the Machine till Filling LBG into a Vehicle
or Bottles consumes less than 5Kva of Power for a system designed to treat 200 M3.
15
of gobar-gas.
Our system aims on reducing Capital cost, Operational costs and space
requirements. The system can safely be operated by our rural citizens with minimum
training. Our system has been designed keeping Indian rural conditions in mind. It is
so flexible that it can be mounted on a Tractor Trolley (if required), the most common
utility vehicle in all rural areas.
Due to this, mobile LBG unit, can cater to more than one Biogas plant in a rural area,
as come times due to local conditions, it may not be possible to have all the Bio-waste
Digesters in one area. The Trolley mounted machine with the help of a tractor can be
transported to the Bio Digester which is filled up with the unrefined gas. The machine
after refining the LBG can fill up the bottles which can be stored or transported to the
required place with ease, causing an uninterrupted supply of high calorific value LBG
gas.
A properly coordinated movement could result in complete conversion of Vehicles
from fossil-based fuel to abundantly available Methane. This movement would change
the face of Indian economy forever.
The size & cost of the plant depends upon the total quantum of Gobar available.
BIO GAS PURIFICATION AND BOTTLING
UNIT
LAYOUT DRAWING
16
A CASE STUDY TO BOTTLE THE BIOGAS IN CYLINDERS AS A SOURCE OF
PURIFICATION AND BOTTLING OF BIOGAS
To have more vessels for bottling in cylinders, energy per unit volume of biogas, the
carbon dioxide content in thebiogas should be removed.
Feasibility study on biogas bottling
A model has been sulfide (H S) content may deteriorate compression system
developed for biogas bottling system in a village having due to corrosive property. A
60 m dayG capacity biogas plant. The system has There are many methods for
carbon dioxide (CO2) two components for removal i.e. absorption in water, absorption
using chemicals, pressure swing adsorption and membrane C. Removal of CO by
water scrubbing separation. Compression of purified biogas in cylinders However,
absorption of CO in water is simple, costeffective, eco-friendly and practical method
for The composition of biogas is assumed to have 60% CO removal from biogas in
rural areas. It is a continuous
methane and 40% carbon dioxide. Considering 75% plant process and
simultaneously removes H S also. This efficiency (account of seasonal and other
factors) the method is most popular in sewage sludge based biogas average gas
availability will be 48 m dayG . The energy plants in Czech Republic, France,
17
Sweden, New Zealand balance of the whole process. High purity biogas (> 95%
methane content) purification, the raw biogas is compressed at 1000 kPa can be
obtained using this technology. When biogas pressure and fed at bottom into a
scrubber having a is produced from cattle dung, hydrogen sulfide content packed bed
absorption column in which pressurized is usually less than one per cent. The
concentration of water (1200 kPa pressure) is sprayed from top in counter-hydrogen
sulfide more than this level should be removed current action. The scrubber is
designed to absorb the before use in engines. CO available 40% in raw biogas to 5%
in purified biogas, current direction through packing material.
Assumptions:
1.) Capacity of plant - 60 m dayG.
2.) Plant efficiency - 75%.
3.) Generated gas - 48 m dayG.
4.) Purified gas consumption in running dual fuel engine - 0.18 m /kW.
5.) Calorific value of purified biogas - 17 MJ mG.
6.) Gas capacity for 0.0215 m3 water capacity cylinder - 2.7 m.
7.) Gas flow rate for 8 hours of working in a day - 6 m hG r.
8.) Heat rate of raw gas - 125 MJ hG r.
9.) Total energy available in one day from biogas plant - 979 MJ
B. Energy required for purification:
1.) For pumping and pressurizing water at 1200 kPa 0.7 kW
2.) 2For pressurizing the gas at 1000 kPa. Energy required 0.5 kW
3.) Energy required @ 80% efficiency 0.7 kW
18
C. Energy required for compression:
1.) Energy required - 0.9 kW.
2.) Energy required at 80% efficiency - 1.1 kW
D. Total energy required per day (B+C) - 2.5 kW
E. Process plant energy (B+C) met by purified gas driven engine:
1.) Rated power of gas engine - 2.5 kW
2.) Purified gas consumption - 0.9 m hG
3.) Gas energy consumed dayG - 245 MJ
F. Net purified gas available for compression and storing in cylinders - 5.4 m hG
1.) Net heat rate available for storing in cylinder - 183.6 MJ hG
2.) Total purified gas per day - 21.6 m dayG.
3.) Net energy available in cylinders - 735 MJ
G. Estimation of cylinders filled with compressed gas:
1.) Total purified gas available at NTP - 21.6 m dayG
2.) Number of cylinders filled in one day - 4 cylinders
3.) Weight of gas in one filled cylinder - 3.5 kg
4.) Energy value per cylinder - 183.6 MJ
Capacities CNG cylinders
About 4 such cylinders will be Installation of Biogas bottling plant in the village will
filled per day with purified biogas. The energy generate employment for 2 people.
19
BIOGAS BASED POWER GENERATION SYSTEM
Biogas technology provides an alternative source of energy mainly from organic
wastes. It is produced when bacteria degrade organic matter in the absence of air.
Biogas contains around 55-65% of methane, 30-40% of carbon dioxide and small
quantities of hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen sulphide.
The calorific value of biogas is appreciably high (around 4700 kcla or 20 MJ: at
around 55% methane content). The gas can effectively be utilized for generation of
power through a biogasbased power- generation system after dewatering and
cleaning of the gas. In addition, the slurry produced in the process provides valuable
organic manure for farming.
Components of a BiogasBased Power Generation System (BPGS)
• BiogasPlants
• Gas Cleaning System
• Engine with alternator
• Control Panel
• Machine Room / Shed
• Manure management system / protocol
Biogas plants
Standard KVIC floating drum model (vertical or horizontal type) would be supported.
20
The
eligible item associated with a biogas plant includes:
• Digester, gas holder and accessories
• Feed / slurry handling system (composed pits) with water supply and storage
• Initial feed
• Gas outlet
Gas Cleaning System
The biogascontains hydrogen disulphide gas. Concentration of hydrogen disulphide in
access of 0.1 % is harmful to the engine. Hence it is necessary to remove hydrogen
sulphide
before the gas is taken to the engines.
Engine with alternator
• 100% biogasengines
• Micro-turbines
• Standard dual fuel engines preferably with bio-diesel in place of diesel.
Control I Monitoring Panel
BIS Standard control / monitoring panel would be supported.
Machine Room I Shed
A proper machine room with shed would be planned as per standard practices. The
biogas generated in the digester, if necessary can be stored in a suitable storage unit
or membrane type storage balloon.
21
Manure management system I protocol
Manure management is an integral part of a biogas based power generation system
for arriving at an economically feasible operation level. Marketing strategy of the
biogas slurry or the value added bio-manure is required to be defined.
22
BIOGAS ENRICHMENT & BOTTLING TECHNOLOGY
FOR VEHICULAR USE
Biogas is ideally suited for rural applications where required animal or human excreta
and agricultural waste are available in plenty. Harnessing such a resource promotes
rural industries, agriculture, dairy and animal farming in a sustainable way. This will
also increase employment in the rural regions and discourage migration to cities.
Biogasis an environment friendly, clean, cheap and versatile fuel. It is produced by
anaerobic digestion of degradable wastes such as cattle dung, vegetable wastes,
sheep and poultry droppings, municipal solid waste, sewage water, land fill etc.
Presently it is mainly used for cooking and lighting purposes in the rural areas. The
use of biogas in stationary
engines used for different agricultural operations is going on. Its utilization is also
easible in automobiles, used for transportation purposes by enriching and
compressing it in cylinders. Biogas can be converted in bio CNG after enrichment and
bottling. It becomes just like CNG.
Potential of the technology
So far, biogashas mostly been used as fuel for cooking and running stationary
engines.
However, its potential has not fully utilized, yet. There is a great enhancement in its
utilization potential particularly where bigger plants are in operation e.g. institutional
biogas plants in Goshalas, dairy farms or community biogas plants in villages.
Goshalas are running generally on charity basis and most of them are not in sound
financial position. Enrichment and bottling of biogas will help to improve it. India has a
vast potential of 6.38 X 10 10 cubic meter of biogasper annum from 980 million
tonnes of cattle dung produced. A National Project on Biogas Development (NPBD)
23
was launched by Government of India in 1981. A total of about 36.5 lakh family biogas
plants have been installed under this programme all over the country till Dec. 2004.
This is about 30 % of the total 120 lakh family type biogas plants potential. More than
3380 Community Biogas Plants (CBP), Institutional Biogas Plants (IBP) and Night-soil
based Biogas Plants (NBP) have been installed all over the country with most
reported satisfactory performance levels. The family biogas plants in the country are
estimated to be saving 39.6 lakh tonnes of fuel-wood per year. Besides, about 9.2
lakh tonnes of enriched organic manure are being produced every year from these
plants. There are a number of Goshalas, dairies, village communities having large
number of cattle which have potential of installing biogas enrichment and bottling
system. In urban areas, large quantity of biogas can be produced in sewage treatment
plants using anaerobic digestion. Okhala Sewage Treatment Plant, New Delhi, is an
example where more than 10,000 cubic meter of biogas is produced every day. Due
to rising cost of petroleum products and environmental concerns it has become
imperative to make use of local resources as an alternate to petroleum fuels.
Therefore, worldwide efforts to explore and make use of biogas as an alternate fuel in
vehicles should be made.
Biogas composition, properties and utilisation as CNG
Biogas comprises of 60-65% methane, 35-40 % carbon dioxide, 0.5-1.0 % hydrogen
sulfide and water vapour. It is almost 20% lighter than air. Like Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG) it cannot be converted to liquid state under normal temperature. Removing
carbon dioxide and compressing it into cylinders makes it easily usable for transport
applications, say three wheelers, cars, pick up vans etc and also for stationary
applications. Already, CNG technology has become easily available and therefore,
bio-methane (enriched biogas) which is nearly same as CNG, can be used for all
24
applications for which CNG are used.
Biogas enrichment process
A variety of processes are available for enrichment i.e. removing CO2 , H2S and
water apour. Commonly CO2 removal processes also remove H2S. One of the
easiest and cheapest methods involved is the use of pressurized water as an
absorbent liquid. In this method, biogas is pressurized and fed to the bottom of a
scrubber column where water is sprayed from the top. In counter-currently operated
absorption process, the carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide present in the biogasis
absorbed in down going water and methane goes up and is collected in vessel.
However, water requirement in this process is high but it is the simplest method of
removing impurities from biogas.
25
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE
THE PRODUCTION ON BIOGAS
In India biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of manure in small-scale
digestion facilities is called Gober gas; it is estimated that such facilities exist in over 2
million households.Owing to simplicity in implementation and use of cheap raw
materials in villages, it is one of the most environmentally sound energy sources for
rural needs. Some designs use vermiculture to further enhance the slurry produced by
the biogas plant for use as compost.
In an attempt to stem the projected deficit between production and consumption,
particularly for the increasing residential sector, which accounts for approximately
10% of total energy use, and provide for an expanding rural sector, the government is
pursuing alternative measures of energy provision. However, of particular interest
here, in the context of providing a devolved, sustainable energy supply for the
burgeoning rural sector in India, is the potential of biogas; the gas created as a
product of anaerobic digestion of organic materials.
The government views biogas technology as a vehicle to reduce rural poverty, and as
a tool in part of a wider drive for rural development. Alternative energy options are
promoted by The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which
operates under the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES). To
promote and disseminate information about biogas technology specifically, the
government has organised the National Project on Biogas Development nation-wide,
and several NGO's have been active in implementing the programme on the ground.
With this in mind, the government agencies involved in designing biogas plants have
26
attempted to create plants that could be maintained locally.
Currently, there are thought to be about 2.5 million household and community biogas
plants installed around India. Case studies from different parts of India will be
considered, from construction of biogas plants, to their long term functioning amongst
the communities they are designed to serve.
Since the 1960's, biogas systems have been implemented in India, but it was in 1981
with the beginning of the sixth 5-year Plan, and the formation of the National Project
for Biogas Development (NPBD), when the drive to step up dissemination was taken,
perhaps also reflecting the alarm of fuelwood shortages at the time.
Currently, there are thought to be about 2.5 million biogas plants installed around the
country, though the potential of large-scale implementation of biogas technology
remains unrealised. According to MNES, in 1991, the use of electricity for cooking,
which includes biogas, only accounted for about 2% and 3% for rural and urban areas
respectively, and sharply demonstrates the continued minority status of this
alternative fuel.
The Tata Research Institute, New Delhi, estimates that 12 million biogas systems in
total could be installed over the subcontinent, while GATE, an alternative energy NGO
based in Germany, estimates the total potential number of plants that could usefully
be employed to be 30 million household-size, and nearly 600,000 community-size
plants, one for each village. However, it is not clear on what data these estimates are
based on.
Nonetheless, there is still enormous potential for biogas technology, and the
government continues in its drive for more widespread implementation. However, for
biogas to be considered as a viable source of fuel, depends not only on an effective
dissemination programme, and extension, but also upon the success of existing
plants in the field. Although literature could not be found regarding the success rate of
27
the 2.5 million biogas plants installed to date, e.g., how many are fully operational,
which may be indicative of a lack of consequent monitoring, it would be instructive to
examine the implementation of biogas systems in rural India, to determine how the
technology has been received on the ground.
Implementation of biogas technology is overseen centrally by MNES, but actual
dissemination is devolved to the individual state governments, public corporations,
such as KVIC, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and also NGO's.
Although there will be differences between states, the general approach to
disseminate biogas technology is based on a system of subsidies and concessions, to
encourage uptake.
Subsidies are granted on plants upto 10m3 (a large family-sized system), and usually
for the models recognised by the government, as listed in table 2, though there may
be regional differences. Allowances are paid towards investment costs, to every user
and for every biogas plant that is installed, in what may be interpreted as a measure
of intent to promote biogas technology, and perhaps the most critical instrument in
determining initial uptake. The extent of the allowance is dependent on the size of
plant, socio-economic status of the user, and geographical region, according to rules
worked out by central government. India has been divided into three areas according
to altitude; the mountainous north-east is where the highest allowances are paid,
perhaps reflecting the commonly held notion that tribal communities are depleting
forests. Mountainous, or high altitude areas in other states form the second category,
and the remaining states make up the last category. Here, socio-economic status
largely determines the size of the allowance, with priorities for scheduled caste and
tribe, and smallholders. Landless and marginal farmers are entitled to higher
allowances than farmers not in the fore-mentioned groups who have more than five
hectares.
28
Subsidies certainly appear to have encouraged up take, and participation seems to be
high amongst target groups, such as marginal and smallholders. This can be
demonstrated in the size and type of digester opted for. Orissa, on the east coast, is
one of the poorest states in India, and characterised by smallholders of approximately
1.6 ha, less than the average of other states, and agriculture is the principal industry
in Orissa. Therefore, it is not surprising that of all the digesters, the most popular is
the smallest capacity fixed-dome Deenbandhu model, at 6m3, which accounts for
84% of all plants installed. Similarly, in Sangli, Maharashtra western India, where
there are 345,000 biogas digesters, more than any other state, the same Deenbandhu
model accounts for 85% of all systems constructed.
NationalBiogas and Manure Management programme (NBMMP)
The programme was started in 1981-82 as the National Project on
BiogasDevelopment. Its main objectives are:
To provide fuel for cooking purposes and organic manure to rural households through
family type biogas plants
To mitigate drudgery of rural women, reduce pressure on forests and accentuate
social benefits.
To improve sanitation in villages by linking sanitary toilets with biogas plants
The components of NBMMP include:
Indigenously developed models of biogas plants are promoted.
States have designated nodal departments and nodal agencies for implementation.
Besides, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Mumbai; National Dairy
Development Board, Anand (Gujarat), and national and regional level non-
governmental organisations are involved in implementation.
Project provides for different types of financial incentives including central subsidy to
29
users, turn key job fee to entrepreneurs, service charges to State Nodal Departments
/ Agencies and support for training and publicity.
Various kinds of training programmes are supported. Biogas Development and
Training Centres, functioning in nine major States, provide technical and training back
up to State Nodal Departments and Nodal Agencies.
Commercial and co-operative banks provide loan for setting up of biogas plants under
Agriculturally Priority Area. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(NABARD) is providing the facility of automatic refinancing to banks.
Financial Incentives being given during the year 2004-2005 under NBMMP
Category Amount of Central subsidy per plant.
North Eastern Region States and Sikkim(except plain
areas of Assam)
Rs.11,700/-
For plain area of Assam Rs.9,000/-
Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal
(excluding terai region), Nilgiris of Tamilnadu; Sadar
Kursoongnd and Kalimpong, Sub-divisions
of Darjeeling district (West Bengal), Sunderbans,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Rs.4,500/-
(Restricted to Rs 3,500/- for 1 Cu. M
fixed dome type)
Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, desert districts,
small and marginal farmers, land-less labourers, terai
regions of Uttaranchal, Western Ghats and
other notified hilly areas
Rs.3,500/-
(Restricted to Rs 2,800/- for 1 Cu. M
fixed dome type)
All Others Rs.2,700/-
(Restricted to Rs 2,100/- for 1 Cu. M
fixed dome type)
30
THE BIOGASPROGRAMME OF GRAM VIKAS
Gram Vikas is a secular, non-profit voluntary organization working in Orissa with the
needy and weaker sections of society, to facilitate their development. It engages in
activities aimed at improving the living conditions and the economic standards of the
poorest of the poor, particularly tribals, scheduled castes, small and marginal farmers,
landless and agricultural labourers. The main emphasis of Gram Vikas work is
organising people to become aware of their existential condition, so that they take
their destinies into their own hands and work to improve their lives. Full participation
of the people is an essential part of such development activities to ensure sustenance
of the programme and Gram Vikas withdraws as the people develop. Gram Vikas is
also committed to the development and promotion of alternative and more efficient
energy source in rural areas. It is governed by a board of outstanding persons with
background in law, journalism, social work and trade unionism and is staffed by a
team of young, committed and able professionals. Gram Vikas’ work is divided into
two main programmes. The first is an intensive integrated development programme
involving the Khond tribals of the Kerandimal hills in southern Ganjam district. The
second stream of Gram Vikas’work is a programme promoting energy alternatives.
Operating in backward areas throughout Orissa. Part of the work in this area is the
promotion of smokeless Chullahs, which are traditional wood burning stoves. In
villages all over Orissa, Over 2000 Chullahs have been built and 2,20 people trained
in building them. The other thrust of the alternate energy stream is the Biogas
programme, now operating in nine districts of Orissa. So when the governmentstarted
the National BiogasExtension Programme, Gram Vikas decided to join in the effort.
Gram Vikas has adopted a broad-based strategy for it biogas programme, the spread
31
of which seen in the various aspects of the programme:
• Construction of family size plants
• Construction of night soil plants
• Construction of institutional plants
• Construction of large size village community plants
• Training of biogasengineers, technicians and managers
• Training of biogasmasons and promoters
• Training of housewives in the use of biogas
• Training of farmers in the use of spent slurry
• Practical research and experimentation with different type of plants in varied
conditions
and with varied biomass input.
In terms of geographical spread, the work which was originally proposed for to 5
districts spread to all 13 districts, later withdrew to nine districts and within these
districts to the locks with a concentration of tribal population. The districts now
covered are Kalanhandi, Bolangir, Koraput, Phulbani, Ganjam, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj,
Sundergarh and Sambalpur. This includes the relatively remote and poorly connected
regions of western Orissa. To undertake this work, a staff of 157 persons has been
built up, consisting of 120 supervisors, 9 plumbers, 9 office assistants, 12assistant
coordinators, 3 zonal coordinators and 5 support staff at the Gram Vikas head office.
This team has gained considerable experience in both the technical and
organizational aspects of the biogasprogramme. The need now is to restructure the
organization to adjust to changing needs, to consolidate the experience gained, and
to give continuity to the organisation and work. Gram Vikas personnel do not handle
any of the cash that is spent on the plants, the dealings are directly between the
32
beneficiary and the other parties. This is to increase the involvement of the beneficiary
in the whole process so as to increase his commitment to the plant and is compatible
with the role Gram Vikas wishes to adopt, that of a facilitator and not a contractor. At
the present time, the effort needed to convince a potential user of biogas about the
benefits involved is considerable. The supervisor may need in some cases, to make
five or six visits before a person decides he wants a biogas plant. Several more are
required to facilitate the purchase of materials, etc. Consequently the expenditure in
man-hours and time is very high when considered on a per plant basis. This is in stark
contrast to some of the forward states where people queue up to have plants built,
and the implementing organization’s role is restricted to certification and inspection.
The government of India offers a turnkey fee of Rs.300/- to the implementing
organization irrespective of the size of the plant or the particulars of the beneficiary.
The amount is uniform all over India. This fee is intended to finance turnkey
operations for plant construction and also includes two year maintenance and
guarantee clauses. This fee, taking into account the areas where Gram Vikas
operates, is woefully inadequate. A general restructuring of the organisation is
planned, with people being moved from construction to maintenance from the third
year onwards, so that after five years of the
programme, the emphasis will shift to maintenance of the plants already built. With
several thousand more plants being built each year, the awareness and acceptance
of biogas is expected to rise over the years. The expectation is that, in five years time
it will be possible for independent turnkey operators to build plants financed by the
turnkey fee alone. The large pool of skilled and experienced personnel that will have
been built up will be able to work independently or with other voluntary organizations,
to promote biogas all over the state. A technological development anticipated is that
of plants operating on any biomass, including vegetation. This will widen the class of
33
potential users to include people not owning cattle. Gram Vikas would promote such
plants in a major way, and the experience gained by personnel in this programme
could be put to use to promote the new technology. The personnel will have gained
considerable field experience in motivation, training and other allied skills and will be
an invaluable resource for any challenging area of developmental activity into which
Gram Vikas will move.
BIOGAS BASED POWER GENERATION PROGRAMME
Biogas based power units can be a reliable decentralized power generation option in
the country. In order to promote this route of power generation, specially in the small
capacity range, based on the availability of large quantity of annual wastes and
wastes from forestry, rural based industries (agro/food processing), kitchen wastes,
etc; a number of projects of different capacities and applications will be taken up for
refining the technical know-how, developing manpower and necessary infrastructure,
establishing a proper arrangement of operation & maintenance and large scale
dissemination. The projects to be taken up by any village level organization,
institution, private entrepreneurs etc. in rural areas as well as areas covered under the
Remote Village Electrification (RVE) programme of MNRE other than the industries
and commercial establishments covered under Urban, Industrial & Commercial
Applications (UICA) programmes for sale of electricity to individual/community/grid
etc. on mutually agreeable terms. The implementing organizations must ensure that
sufficient feed materials for biogas plants are available on sustainable basis and the
beneficiary organization gives an undertaking that the plant would be maintained and
operated for a minimum period of ten years. The details of the scheme for projects
related to Biogas based Power Generation Programme are given in. The central
34
financial assistance for such projects will be limited to a maximum of Rs.30000 to
40000 per kW depending upon capacity of the power generating projects in the range
of 3 KW to 250 kW limited to 40% of the plant cost. The details of Central Financial
assistance provided are given at The programme provides support for a variety of
workshops, seminars, meetings, training programmers to the implementing
agencies/specialized organizations/ Biogas Development & Training Centers (BDTCs)
for developing the required specifications and standards, discussions/deliberations on
the performance of systems, setting up operation and maintenance mechanism,
training of required manpower, capacity building, business meets for the prospective
industries, etc. with the ultimate objective of promotion of power generation based on
biogasin the country.
The quantum of financial assistance to be provided by Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (MNRE ) for conducting these programmers will be decided on the
basis of nature & duration of the programme, number of participants, etc. The
maximum assistance, however, is limited to Rs.100,000 per event.
BIOGAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The Government of Madhya Pradesh has appointed as Nodal Agency for the
development of biogas programme in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
The Corporation has so far installed 1,72,064 family type biogas plants against the
estimated potential of 14,91,000 plants in the State. In view of the potential exists, the
Corporation has made a quantum jump in the installation of biogas plants, i..e. about
8600 plants per year
OBJECTIVES:
Objectives of Biogas Development Programme are follows:-
35
1. To provide fuel for cooking purpose and organic manure to rural households
through biogas plants;
2. To mitigate drudgery of rural women, reduce pressure on forest and accentuate
social benefits;
3. To recycle human waste through linking of toilets with biogas plants for improving
sanitation.
A total of 151070 family type biogas plants have been installed in the State against
the estimated potential of 14,91,200 biogas plants. Thus the coverage of potential
achieved so far is about 10%.
Till the year 85-86, 20133 biogas plants were installed in the State and from the year
85-86 till 97-98, 106767 plants have been installed by this Corporation.
The cost of biogas plants varies according to model and retention period, capacity,
market prices of construction materials and labour cost. On an average, estimated
cost of a common 2 cubic meter capacity family type Fixed Dome Deenbandhu
Biogas Plant is about Rs. 8,500/-.
CENTRAL SUBSIDY TOTAL SUBSIDY
PAYABLE TO
BENEFICIARIES
S.NO CAPA-
CITY
SC/ST SMF/LL GEN. SC/ST SMF/LL GEN.
1 1 CUM 2300 2300 1800 2300 2300 2000
36
2 2 CUM 2300 2300 1800 3000 3000 2200
3 3 CUM 2300 2300 1800 3300 2300 2400
4 4 TO
10CUM
2300 2300 1800 3300 2300 2400
An additional subsidy of Rs. 500/- is provided for cattle dung based biogas plants
linked with sanitary toilets.1.5 PROGRAMME FOR 2004-05 Target of 12,000 biogas
plants has been fixed by MNES for this State.
CONCLUSION
Biogasis a potential renewable energy source for rural Pakistan. Biogas generation
and subsequent bottling will cater the energy needs of rural industries in 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 in rural areas and income of the people
through setting of rural industries. The model bottling plant could save 240 liters diesel
per day. It should be replicated at mass scale for the development of villages.
LBG will definitely make a good alternative fuel, if produced and used wisely. Sooner
or later, we have to find an alternative way to petroleum. The growing dependence of
petroleum is necessary to be contained otherwise our future generations will just find
it in mere books and other scraps! If the government sponsored and supports the
activities related to development and research on LBG and Biogas, the scientists and
people will surely praise this effort. The growing population also leads to growing
37
Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Remove
Access|Powered By Google Sites
traffic, and hence, running vehicles on LBG will be in great demand in the future, as
people will have to look for another thing than petrol and diesels, whose prices are
already sky-high.
Producing LBG may be a difficulty in the beginning, but later, as no other source
would have been left, we would have to use it. The government must support all
activities related to production of Biogas and LBG, so that people are relieved in this
modernized and globalized world of inflation. The inflation rate is already too high.
Moreover, the sector will also provide employment to people. Cost of LBG cylinders
may be high than LPG in the beginning, but as the demand will increase, rate of
productivity will also increase, and hence, the rates may go down. Compressing
biogas and filling it in cylinders, just like LPG, must be tried, and if it’s successful,
must be put into practice on a large scale. Last but not least,
“LET’S MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN!”