NOTES ON BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY Introduction Properties of biogas Feedstock for biogas: Aqueous wastes containing biodegradable organic matter,

animal & agro - residues Microbial and biochemical aspects, Operating parameters for biogas production. Kinetics and mechanism Dry and wet fermentation. Digesters for rural application High rate digesters for industrial waste water treatment. TEXT BOOKS AND REFERENCES 1. Biotechnology Volume 8, H.J. Rehm and G. Reed, 1986, Chapter 5, Biomethanation Processes. Pp 207-267 2. K. M. Mital, Non-conventional Energy Systems, (1997), A P H Wheeler Publishing, N. Delhi.

3. K. M. Mital, Biogas Systems: Principles and Applications, (1996) New Age International Publishers (p) Ltd, N. Delhi.

4. Nijaguna, B.T., Biogas Technology, New Age International publishers (P) Ltd., 2002, Reprinted in 2009

References: 1. Effluent Treatment & Disposal: I Ch. E, U.K., Symposium Series No 96, 1986, P 137-147, Application of anaerobic biotechnology to waste treatment and energy production, Anderson & Saw. 2. Anaerobic Rotating Biological Drum Contactor for the Treatment of Dairy Wastes, S. Satyanarayana, K. Thackar, S. N. Kaul, S.D. Badrinath and N.G. Swarnkar, Indian Chemical Engineer, vol 29, No 3, July-Sept, 1987 3. Energy Environment Monitor, 12(1), 45-51,Biomethanation Technologies in Industrial Water Pollution Control A. Gangagni Rao, Pune. 4. Biogas production from sugar mill sludge by anaerobic digestion and evaluation of bio-kinetic coefficients, Tharamani. P, and Elangovan. R. Indian journal of Environmental protection, 20, (10), 745-748, 2001.

5. Biogas Production Technology: An Indian Perspective, B. Nagamani and K. Ramasamy (TNAU), Current Science, Vol7, No1, pp 44-55 10th July, 1999 6. Khandelwal K. C. and Mahdi, Bio-gas Technology, Tata McGraw-Hill publ. Co. Ltd., New Delhi, 1986. 7. State-of-the-art of anaerobic digestion technology for industrial wastewater treatment KV Rajeshwari, M Balakrishnan, A Kansal, K Lata, - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2000 Elsevier 8. Anaerobic digestion technologies for energy recovery from industrial wastewater - a study in Indian context, Arun Kansal, K V Rajeshwari, Malini Balakrishnan, Kusum Lata, V V N Kishore, TERI Information Monitor on Environmental Science 3(2): 6775, 9. Biogas Purification and Bottling into CNG Cylinders: Producing Bio-CNG from Biomass for Rural Automotive Applications, Virendra K. Vijay1,*, Ram Chandra1, Parchuri M. V. Subbarao2 and Shyam S. Kapdi3 1Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016, The 2nd Joint International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE 2006) C-003 (O) 21-23 November 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 10. Biogas scrubbing, compression and storage: perspective and prospectus in Indian Context, S.S. Kapdi, V.K. Vijay*, S.K. Rajesh, Rajendra Prasad, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi 110 016

GTZ project Information and Advisory Service on Appropriate Technology (ISAT) for the ISAT Website in a collaborative effort of the following institution:

Information and Advisory Service on Appropriate Technology (ISAT) GATE in Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), GmbH (German Agency for Technical Cooperation) Post Box 5180 D-65726 Eschborn Federal Republic of Germany Telephone: +49 6196/79-0 Fax: +49 6196/797352 E-mail: gate-isat@gtz.de

K. M. Mital, Biogas Systems: Principles and Applications, (1996) New Age International Publishers (p) Ltd, N. Delhi. Contents: 1. An Overview of Biogas Technology 2. Microbiology of Anaerobic Digestion 3. Properties of Biogas and Methods For Its Purification 4. A Compendium of Biogas Plant Design 5. Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Biogas Plants 6. Analysis of Factors Affecting Biogas Yield 7. Biogas Yield from Different Organic Wastes 8. Biogas Yield from Water Weeds 9. Biogas Generation from Industrial Wastes 10. Biogas Recovery from Sanitary Landfills 11. Applications and Usage Of Biogas 12. Potential of Biogas Plant Effluent As Enriched Fertilizer. 13. Approaches For Implementing Biogas Program Areas For Further Research And Concluding Observations

Biogas Technology by B. T. Nijaguna

Contents Introduction, Materials for Biomethanation and Products of Methanation, Kinetics and Physico-Chemical Factors Affecting Biogasification, Bio-reactors, Design, Selection, Construction and operation of Biogas Plants, Purification, Scrubbing, Compression and Storage of Biogas, Utilization Systems of Biogas, Ethanol.

INTRODUCTION:
Production of a combustible gas by anaerobic digestion of aqueous organic matter by mixed bacterial culture involving methane producers is called biomethanation and the product is called biogas

PROPERTIES OF BIOGAS:
Composition: 60 to 70 per cent Methane, 30 to 40 per cent carbon dioxide, traces of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and water vapor. It is about 20% lighter than air (density is about 1.2 gm/liter). Ignition temperature is between 650 and 750 C. Calorific value is 18.7 to 26 MJ/ m3 (500 to 700 Btu/ ft3.) Calorific value without CO2: is between 33.5 to35.3 MJ/ m3 Explosion limit: 5 to 14 % in air. Removal of CO2: Scrubbing with limewater or ethanol amine solution. Removal of H2S: Adsorption on a bed of iron sponge and wood shavings. Air to Methane ratio for complete combustion is 10 to 1 by volume. One cubic meter of biogas is equivalent to 1.613 liter of kerosene or 2.309 kg of LPG or 0.213 kW of electricity.

WHY Biomethanation in villages?

PURIFY

DUNG WATER

BIOGAS PLANT

BIOGAS

COOKING LIGHTING FUEL FOR KILN FURNACE ETC.

I. C. ENGINE + PUMP OR I. C. ENGINE + GENERATOR

TO COMPOST PIT (MANURE)

ENERGY RECOVERY, CLEAN BURNING SUBSTITUTES FUELWOOD & DUNG CAKE AS RURAL FUEL HYGIENIC DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE CONSERVATION OF MANURE VALUE MILD CONDITIONS: 30o C, pH 6.8-7.2, FEED ONCE A DAY BURNER, MANTLE LAMP AVAILABLE; EASY GAS PURIFICATION FEASIBLE SUBSIDY IS AVAILABLE FOR RURAL FARM OR FAMILY SIZE PLANT DUAL FUEL ENGINE CAN PUMP WATER, GENERATE POWER BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY: SIMPLE & INDIGENOUS

WET ORGANIC WASTE AS FEED FOR BIOGAS PLANT ANIMAL WASTES: Excreta of cow, pig, chicken etc MANURE, SLUDGE: Canteen and food processing waste, sewage
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: After separation of non-degradable WASTE STARCH & SUGAR SOLUTIONS: Fruit processing, brewery, press mud from sugar factory etc

OTHER INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS (B O D): pulp factory waste liquor, leather industry waste, coal washery wastewater etc.

Commonly Used Feed for Biomethanation:

Animal Wastes, Crop Residues, Urban Wastes, Food and Agro - Industry Wastes. (Mital, Ch. 7 To 10)

MICROBIOLOGIAL ASPECTS OF BIOMETHANATION The biomethanation of organic matter in water is carried out in absence of dissolved oxygen and oxygenated compounds like nitrate and sulphate. The mixed groups of bacteria are naturally occurring in the cow dung slurry and decomposition in three stages finally produces a gas mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. Initially larger molecules are hydrolysed to simpler molecules which in turn are decomposed to volatile fatty acids like acetic acid, propionic acid etc. by a second set of bacteria. Methane forming bacteria can convert acetic acid, hydrogen and carbon dioxide and produce methane. HYDRLYSIS OF BIOPOLYMERS TO MONOMERS CONVERSION OF SUGARS, AMINO ACIDS, FATTY ACIDS TO HYDROGEN, CO2, AMMONIA AND ACETIC, PROPIONIC AND BUTIRIC ACIDS CONVERSION OF H2, CO2, ACETIC ACID TO CH4 AND CO2 MIXTURE

Figure 1: The process of methanogenesis (After GTZ, 1999)

Methanogenesis is a microbial process, involving many complex, and differently interacting species, but most notably, the methane-producing bacteria. The biogas process is shown below in figure 1, and consists of three stages; hydrolysis, acidification and methane formation. In the first stage of enzymatic hydrolysis, the extracellular enzymes of microbes, such as cellulase, protease, amylase and lipase externally enzymolize organic material. Bacteria decompose the complex carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in cellulosic biomass into more simple compounds. During the second stage, acid-producing bacteria convert the simplified compounds into acetic acid (CH3COOH), hydrogen (H2), and carbon dioxide (CO2). In the process of acidification, the facultatively anaerobic bacteria utilize oxygen and carbon, thereby creating the necessary anaerobic conditions necessary for methanogenesis. In the final stage, the obligatory anaerobes that are involved in methane formation decompose compounds with a low molecular weight, (CH3COOH, H2, CO2), to form methane (CH4) and CO2 . The resulting biogas, sometimes referred to as 'gobar' gas, consists of methane and carbon dioxide, and perhaps some traces of other gases, notably hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Its exact composition will vary, according to the substrate used in the methanogenesis process, but as an approximate guide, when cattle dung is a major constituent of fermentation, the resulting gas will be between 55-66% CH4, 40-45% CO2, plus a negligible amount of H2S and H2 (KVIC, 1993). Biogas has the advantage of a potential thermal efficiency, given proper equipment and aeration, of 60%, compared to wood and dung that have a very low thermal efficiency of 17% and 11% respectively (KVIC, 1993). Methanogenesis or more particularly, the bacteria involved in the fermentation process are sensitive to a range of variables that ultimately determine gas production, and it is worth briefly outlining these factors. Temperature is perhaps the most critical consideration. Gasification is found to be maximized at about 35oC, and below this temperature, the digestion process is slowed, until little gas is produced at 15oC and under. Therefore in areas of temperature changes, such as mountainous regions, or winter conditions that may be more accentuated inland, mitigating factors need to be taken into

account, such as increased insulation (Kalia, 1988), or the addition of solar heaters to maintain temperatures (Lichtman, 1983). Loading rate and retention period of material are also important considerations. In the KVIC model, retention ranges between 30-55 days, depending upon climatic conditions, and will decrease if loaded with more than its rated capacity (which may result in imperfectly digested slurry). KVIC state that maximum gas production occurs during the first four weeks, before tapering off, therefore a plant should be designed for a retention that exploits this feature. Retention period is found to reduce if temperatures are raised, or more nutrients are added to the digester. Human excreta, due to its high nutrient content, needs no more than 30 days retention in biogas plants (KVIC, 1983). Various factors such as biogas potential of feedstock, design of digester, inoculum, nature of substrate, pH, temperature, loading rate, hydraulic retention time (HRT), C : N ratio, volatile fatty acids (VFA), etc. influence the biogas production. Meher et al. reported that the performance of floating dome biogas plant was better than the fixed dome biogas plant, showing an increase in biogas production by 11.3 per cent, which was statistically significant. Furthermore, the observed reduction in biogas yield was due to the loss of gas from the slurry-balancing chambers of fixed dome plant. Dhevagi et al. used different feedstocks like cow dung, buffalo dung, dry animal waste, stray cattle dung, goat waste, and poultry droppings for their biomethanation potential and observed that poultry droppings showed higher gas production. Earlier Yeole and Ranade compared the rates of biogas yield from pig dung-fed and cattle dung-fed digesters and reported that the biogas yield was higher in the former. They attributed this higher biogas yield to the presence of native microflora in the dung. Shivraj and Seenayya reported that digesters fed with 8 per cent TS of poultry waste gave better biogas yield, and attributed the lower yield of biogas at higher TS levels to high ammonia content of the slurry.

BIOLOGICAL MODELING

10

11

12

The modeling and its simulation referred to is from the following paper:

13

Operating parameters affecting the biogas production:

1. Temperature is an important parameter. Mesophilic methane producing bacteria grow at an optimum temperature of 35oC the gas production rate drops very much when temperture is less than 10oC. 2. pH range of the waste water should be in the range of 6.8 to 7.8 as excess acid state hampers the methane producing bacteria and the balance of nutrients is disturbed. 3. Ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the waste water influent or C/N ratio is 30:1 and if nitrogen content in ammoniacal form is less the bacterial growth is affected and the process slows down. 4. Proportion of solids to water: This is found to be not more than 10 per cent for optimum operation of digester to ensure sufficient decomposition of volatile solids and rate of production of gas. 5. Retention time: The ratio of volume of slurry in the digester to the volume fed into and removed from it per day is called retention time. Thus a 20 liter digester is fed at 4 liters per day so that the volume of digester is constant the retention time is 5 days. The required retention time is normally 30 days for mesophilic (25-35oC) conditions. 6. Volumetric organic loading rate: This can be expressed as kg Vs per volume per day based on the % weight of organic matter added each day to the digester volume. Digester loading rate % = (Per cent of organic matter in feed)/(Retention Time) Loading rate range is 0.7 to25 kg VS/ m3 / Day

14

Kinetics of anaerobic fermentation

Several kinetic models have been developed to describe the anaerobic fermentation process. Monod101 showed a hyperbolic relationship between the exponential microbial growth rate and substrate concentration. In this model, the two kinetic parameters, namely, microorganisms growth rate and half velocity constant are deterministic in nature, and these predict the conditions of timing of maximum biological activity and its cessation. This model can be used to determine the rate of substrate utilization (rS) by the equation: rS = qmax Sx/K + S, where S is limiting substrate concentration, K is half constant, x is concentration of bacterial cells, and qmax is maximum substrate utilization rate. The above equation is applicable for low substrate concentration. However for high substrate concentration, the equation is re-written as: rS = qmax x. The Monod model suffers from the drawback that one set of kinetic parameters are not sufficient to describe biological process both for short- and long-retention times, and that kinetic parameters cannot be obtained for some complex substrates. To alleviate limitations of the Monod model while retaining its advantages, Hashimoto102 developed an alternative equation, which attempts to describe kinetics of methane fermentation in terms of several parameters. According to this equation, given below, for a given loading rate So/q daily volume of methane per volume of digester depended on the biodegradability of the material (Bo) and kinetic parameters m and K.

rV = (Bo So/q ) {1 (K/q m 1 + K)} where, rv is volumetric methane production rate, l CH4 l 1 digester d 1 So is influent total volatile solids (VS) concentration, g l 1 Bo is ultimate methane yield, l CH4 g 1 VS added as q

15

q is hydraulic retention time d 1 m is maximum specific growth of microorganism d 1 K is kinetic parameter, dimensionless.

******
KINETICS OF ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION (Reference: Mital, pp 36-39): Rate of substrate Utilization,

rs = Qmax * (Sx) / (K+S) ---(1)

Where S is limiting substrate concentration K is half life constant X is concentration of bacterial cells Qmax is maximum substrate utilization rate For low substrate concentration, this equation is valid. For high substrate concentration, it becomes as follows:

rs = Qmax*x ----(2)
The above model known as Monod model has limitations. For complex substrates, kinetic parameters cannot be obtained for the entire concentration range.

Chen and Hashimoto, Biotechnology Bio-engineering Symposium 8, (1978) p 269282 and Biotechnology Bioengineering (1982) 24: 9-23

Volumetric methane rate in cubic meter gas per cubic meter of digester volume

V = (Bo So / HRT)[1- K / (HRT*m-1+K)]

Bo = Ultimate methane yield in cubic meters methane (Varies from 0.2 to 0.5) So = Influent volatile solids concentration in kgVS/m3 (Loading rate range = 0.7 to 25 kg VS/m3 d) HRT = Hydraulic retention time in days K = Dimensionless kinetic parameter, for cattle dung, K= 0.8+ 0.0016e
0.06 So

16

m = Maximum specific growth rate of the microorganism in day-1 Different types of biogas plant recognized by MNES (Ministry of NonConventional Energy Sources). After Gate, 1999. 1. Floating-drum plant with a cylinder digester (KVIC model). 2. Fixed-dome plant with a brick reinforced, moulded dome (Janata model). 3. Floating-drum plant with a hemisphere digester (Pragati model). 4. Fixed-dome plant with a hemisphere digester (Deenbandhu model). 5. Floating-drum plant made of angular steel and plastic foil (Ganesh model). 6. Floating-drum plant made of pre-fabricated reinforced concrete compound units. 7. Floating-drum plant made of fibreglass reinforced polyester.

17

18

RURAL DIGESTERS ACCEPTED BY MNES: (Digesters for rural application)

1 KVIC (FLOATING DOME)

MASONRY CYLINDRICAL TANK ON ONE SIDE INLET FOR SLURRY OTHER SIDE OUTLET FOR SPENT SLURRY GAS COLLECTS IN INVERTED DRUM GAS HOLDER OVER SLURRY GAS HOLDER MOVES UP & DOWN DEPENDING ON ACCUMULATION OF GAS /DISCHARGE OF GAS, GUIDED BY CENTRAL GUIDE PIPE GAS HOLDER (MILD STEEL): PAINTED ONCE A YEAR. K V I C Mumbai MEDIUM FAMILY SIZE BIOGAS PLANT HAVING GAS DELIVERY OF 3 M3 /DAY REQUIRES 12 HEAD OF CATTLE AND CAN SERVE A FAMILY OF 12 PERSONS
TECHNICAL DETAILS OF A 3 M3 /DAY BIOGAS PLANT OF FLOATING DRUM DESIGN

Name of the model Size for 3m / day gas delivery

3

KVIC Model 4.15m high, 1.6m dia, Volume 8.34m3 Inlet pipe 0.1m dia, 4m long Inlet tank 0.75m dia, 1m high Outlet pipe 0.1m dia, 1.1 m long 30 to 50 days 1.5 m dia, 1m high MS sheet & angles, fabricated. Brick, cement, digester below G. level

Retention period Gas Holder Construction of gas holder Constr. & layout, digester

19

2. JANATHA (FIXED DOME)

inlet

BIOGAS outlet

DIGESTER WELL BELOW GROUND LEVEL FIXED DOME GAS HOLDER BUILT WITH BRICK & CEMENT BIOGAS FORMED RISES PUSHES SLURRY DOWN DISPLACED SLURRY LEVEL PROVIDES PRESSURE-UPTO THE POINT OF ITS DISCHARGE/ USE

3 DEENABANDU (FIXED DOME, MINIMISES SURFACE AREA)

FIXED DOME PLANT, MINIMISES SURFACE AREA BY JOINING THE SEGMENTS OF TWO SPHERES OF DIFFERENT DIAMETERS AT THEIR BASES FIXED MASONRY DOME REQUIRES SKILLED WORKMANSHIP AND QUALITYMATERIALS TO ELIMINATE CHANCE OF LEAKAGE OF GAS AFPRO, 25/1A, Institutional Area, D block, Panka Rd, Janakpury, N.Delhi.

20

4 PRAGATI COMBINES FEATURES OF KVIC & DEENABANDU, MAHARASHSTRA LOWER PART: SEMI-SPHERICAL IN SHAPE WITH A CONICAL BOTTOM UPPER PART: FLOATING GAS HOLDER POPULARISED IN MAHARASHTRA, UNDARP, PUNE 5 FERROCEMENT DIGESTER: CAST SECTIONS, MADE FROM A REINFORCED (MORTAR+WIRE MESH)- COATED WITH WATER PROOFING TAR S E R I, ROORKEE

6 FRP DIGESTER: FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC MADE BY CONTACT MOULDING PROCESS

7 UTKAL / KONARK DIGESTER Reference: Konark biogas plant-A user friendly model Mohanty, P.K., and Choudury, A. K, (Orissa Energy Dev. Agency), Journal of Environmental Policy and Studies 2(1); 15-21 Konark Biogas plant: SPHERICAL IN SHAPE WITH GAS STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50% CONSTRUCTION COST IS REDUCED AS IT MINIMIZES SURFACE AREA BRICK MASONRY OR FERROCEMENT TECHNOLOGY A PERFORATED BAFFLE WALL AT THE INLET PREVENTS SHORT CIRCUITING PATH OF SLURRY (OPTIONAL)

21

8 FLEXIBLE PORTABLE NEOPRENE RUBBER MODEL: FOR HILLY AREAS, MINIMIZES TRANSPORT COST OF MATERIALS BALLOON TYPE, INSTALLED ABOVE GL, MADE OF NEOPRENE RUBBER FOR FLOOD PRONE AREAS, UNDERGROUND MODELS NOT SUITABLE SWASTHIK COMPANY OF PUNE DESIGN

22

23

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HIGH RATE DIGESTERS FOR WASTE WATER TREATMENT: 1. ANAEROBIC FILTER (UPFLOW and DOWNFLOW) 2. UPFLOW ANAEROBIC SLUDGE BLANKET DIGESTER( UASB) 3. ANAEROBIC LIQUID FLUIDISED/ EXPANDED BED DIGESTER 4. ANAEROBIC ROTATING DISC CONTACTING DIGESTER 5. ANAEROBIC MEMBRANE DIGESTER 6. ANAEROBIC CONTACT DIGESTER

Effluent Treatment & Disposal: I Ch. E, U.K., Symposium Series No96, 1986., P 137-147, Application of anaerobic biotechnology to waste treatment and energy production Anderson & Saw. Energy & Environment Monitor, 12(1) 45- 51, Biomethanation Technologies in industrial water pollution Control A.Gangagni Rao, Pune. Techniques for enhancing biogas production Different methods used to enhance biogas production can be classified into the following categories: (i) Use of additives. (ii) Recycling of slurry and slurry filtrate. (iii) Variation in operational parameters like temperature, Hydraulic retention time (HRT) and particle size of the substrate. (iv) Use of fixed film / biofilters.

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HIGH RATE DIGESTERS FOR WASTE WATER TREATMENT:

1 ANAEROBIC FILTER (UPFLOW and DOWNFLOW)

ANAEROBIC FILTER CONTAINS A SOLID SUPPORT OR PACKING MATERIAL IT WAS DEVELOPED BY YOUNG & MC CARTHY IN 1967 WASTEWATER FLOWS FROM BOTTOM UPWARDS THROUGH THE PACKING, GAS SEPARATES, BACTERIA ARE RETAINED MOSTLY IN SUSPENDED FORM,HRT RANGE OF 0.5 TO12 DAYS IS OBTAINED SINCE SUSPENDED GROWTH TENDS TO COLLECT NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE REACTOR, ACTIVITY IS HIGHER THERE. TYPICAL ORGANIC LOADING RATE OF 1 TO 40 KG COD/ M3/DAYAND A SRT OF 20 DAYS IS ACHIEVED. AVOIDANCE OF PLUGGING DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF SOLIDS IN THE PACKING MATERIAL AND ENSURING AN ADEQUATE FLOW DISTRIBUTION IN THE BOTTOM OF THE REACTOR ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF THIS.

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2 UPFLOW ANAEROBIC SLUDGE BLANKET DIGESTER (UASB)

UASB REACTOR IS BASED ON SUPERIOR SETTLING PROPERTIES OF THE SLUDE INFLUENT FED INTO THE REACTOR FROM BELOW LEAVES AT THE TOP VIA AN INTERNAL BAFFLE SYSTEM FOR SEPARATION OF THE GAS, SLUDGE AND THE LIQUID

GAS SEPARATED FROM SLUDGE, COLLECTED BENEATH PLATES IN QUIET SETTLING ZONE, SLUDGE SEPARATES, SETTLES BACK TOWRDS DIGESTION ZONE. ORGANIC LOADING RATES OF 10 TO 30 KG COD /M3 DAY REACTOR MIXING SHOULD BE ONLY BY THE GAS PRODUCTION HRTRANGE OF 0.5 TO 7 DAYSS IS FEASIBLE WITH EXCEL. SETTLING SLUDGE AND A SRT OF 20 DAYS(AT 35 0 C) REF: TIDE, VOL9, NO4, DEC.1999, PAGE 232

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3 ANAEROBIC LIQUID FLUIDIZED/ EXPANDED BED DIGESTER

ACTIVE

BIOMASS

IS

ATTACHED

TO

SURFACE

OF

SAND

PARTICLES THAT ARE KEPT IN SUSPENSION BY UPWARD VELOCITY OF LIQUID FLOW DEGREE OF BED EXPANSION IN EXPANDED BED IS 10-20% AND IN FLUIDIZED BED IT IS 30-100% BIOMASS RETENTION IN THE REACTOR IS EFFICIENT ,SRT OF 30 DAYS PARTICLES PROVIDE LARGE SURFACE AREA FOR MICROBIAL GROWTH AND BETTER MIXING COMPARED TO PACKED BED, HRT RANGE OF 0.2 TO 5.0 DAY ACIEIVED. TYPICAL RANGE OF LOADING RATE OF 1 TO 100 KG COD/M3 /DAY REF: COMPREHENSIVE BIOTECHNOLOGY-MURRAY MOO YOUNG, VOL 4, PAGES 1017-1027.

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4. ANAEROBIC ROTATING BIOLOGICAL DISC CONTACTOR ANAEROBIC ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF DISCS OR MEDIA BLOCKS MOUNTED ON A SHAFT WHICH IS DRIVEN SO THAT THE MEDIA ROTATES AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE FLOW OF SEWAGE. THE DISCS OR MEDIA BLOCKS ARE NORMALLY MADE OF PLASTIC (POLYTHENE, PVC, EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE) AND ARE CONTAINED IN A TROUGH OR TANK SO THAT ABOUT 40% OF THEIR AREA IS IMMERSED.

Reference Article: Anaerobic Rotating Biological Drum Contactor for the Treatment of Dairy Wastes, S. Satyanarayana, K. Thackar, S.N.Kaul, S.D.Badrinath and N.G. Swarnkar, (NEERI) Indian Chemical Engineer, vol 29, No 3, July-Sept, 1987.

29

5. ANAEROBIC MEMBRANE DIGESTER

SUSPENDED GROWTH REACTOR, COMBINED WITH A SEPARATOR EXTERNAL ULTRA / MICROFILTRATION MEMBRANE UNIT FOR SOLID-LIQUID SEPARATION PERMEATE BECOMES THE EFFLUENT AND THE BIOMASS IS RETURNED TO THE REACTOR MEMBRANE UNIT ROVIDES POSITIVE BIOMASS RETENTION AND PARTICULATE FREE EFFLUENT

30

6 ANAEROBIC CONTACT DIGESTER

BIOMASS SETTLED IN A SECOND TANK, RECYCLED TO THE DIGESTER. RECYCLE GIVES HIGHER SRT AND EFFICIENCY MIXING IN THE FIRST TANK AND EFFICIENCY OF SETTLING IN THE SECOND TANK IMPROVES PERFORMANCE. REQUIRE HRT OF 10 DAYS OR MORE.

31

32

33

Comments on Rural biogas plants: Biogas has shown to be a useful component in the rural economy in India, though its application is logistically difficult. Ill-co-ordinated dissemination has led to high rates of non-functioning plants, and may endanger further uptake, as such, its status as a fuel remains marginal. Participation in biogas technology varies across socio-economic groups, and across regions. Despite a well-intentioned attempt to cater for the energy needs of rural India, and particularly the poor, as defined by 'scheduled caste' and 'scheduled tribe', the biogas programme has not appeared to meet these needs on any meaningful scale, through insurmountable constraints associated with their very marginality, paradoxically. Limited success has occurred in other agricultural groups. Further, the essential 'commodification' of dung, which has occurred since the introduction of biogas systems may impact detrimentally upon the poorest families, who may experience a scarcity of the fuel once gathered for free. The need to provide rural India with a viable and sustainable source of fuel has perhaps never been more urgent, yet curiously, this is not reflected in current literature, as biogas seemingly drops out of journals in the 1990's, as a subject to be written about. Therefore, the very current situation regarding the status of biogas technology in India is unknown, though dissemination is still being undertaken. Bapu's (Gandhi's) dream therefore remains largely unrealized, though 'small steps' may have been achieved.

34

1. What properties of biogas have to be improved before it is used as an engine fuel? 2. Write short notes on (i) Feedstock for biogas, (ii) Dry and wet fermentation, (iii) Microbial and biochemical aspects. 3. Discuss the operating parameters for biogas production by anaerobic digestion. 4. What criteria are applied in selecting a rural biogas plant of a small family size? 5. Why biogas is not supplied in cylinders like LPG? Can we use same stove for both? 6. Explain hydraulic and solid retention time for a fixed film biogas digester. 7. In a flood prone area, what type of small biogas plant would you use?

35

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Reduction of the greenhouse effect Last but not least, biogas technology takes part in the global struggle against the greenhouse effect. It reduces the release of CO2 from burning fossil fuels in two ways. First, biogas is a direct substitute for gas or coal for cooking, heating, electricity generation and lighting. Additionally, the reduction in the consumption of artificial fertilizer avoids carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise come from the fertilizer producing industries. By helping to counter deforestation and degradation caused by overusing ecosystems as sources of firewood and by melioration of soil conditions biogas technology reduces CO2 releases from these processes and sustains the capability of forests and woodlands to act as a carbon sink. Methane, the main component of biogas is itself a greenhouse gas with a much higher Greenhouse potential" than CO2. Converting methane to carbon dioxide through combustion is another contribution of biogas technology to the mitigation of global warming. However, this holds true only for the case, that the material used for biogas generation would otherwise undergo anaerobic decomposition releasing methane to the atmosphere. Methane leaking from biogas plants without being burned contributes to the greenhouse effect! Of course, burning biogas also releases CO2. But this, similar to the sustainable use of firewood, does only return carbon dioxide which has been assimilated from the atmosphere by growing plants maybe one year before. There is no net intake of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from biogas burning as it is the case when burning fossil fuels.

38

Different Purification Processes:1) Removal of H2S The gas coming out of system is heated to 150 degree C and over ZnO bed, maintained at 1800 C leaving process gas free of H2S. ZnO + H2S = ZnS + H2O. ZnSO4 + 2NaOH = Zn (OH) 2 + Na2SO4 2) Removal of CO2 CO2 is high corrosive when wet and it has no combustion value so its removal is must to improve the biogas quality. The processes to remove CO2 are as follows a) Caustic solution, NAOH 40% NAOH + CO2 = NAHCO3 b) Renfield process K2CO3 - 30 % K2CO3 + CO2 = 2KCO3 3) Removal of NH3:The chemical reaction is as: NH3 + HCL =NH4Cl 4) Removal of H2O:For the removal of moisture, pass the gas from above reaction, through the crystals of white silica gel.

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BIOGAS in INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE 1. S. I. Engines The only adoption for a spark ignition engine is a gas (not gasoline!) carburetor to work at the supply pressure (just like an LPG conversion, but an evaporator would not be needed as the storage pressure is low). It is also a good idea to scrub the H2S (as it causes corrosion) and to derate the engine (unless you want to replace it each year if operating continuously). Modification of S.I. Engine S.I. engines can run completely on biogas, however, the engines are required to be started on petrol at the beginning, conversion of S.I. engine for the entry of biogas, throttling of intake air & advancing the ignition timing. Biogas can be admitted to S.I. engine through the intake manifold & air flow control valve can be provided on the air cleaner pipe connecting air cleaner & carburetor for throttling the intake air.

2. C.I. Engine:Diesel engines also need a gas carburetor and scrubbing, but require at least 10% diesel via the injectors for ignition (and cooling). The initial starting of diesel engine is done on pure diesel. Modification of C.I. Engine: C.I. engine can operate on dual fuel & the necessary engine modification include provision for the entry of biogas with intake air, provision of carburetor & system to reduce diesel supply, advanced injection timing. The entry of biogas and mixing of gas with intake air can be achieved by providing the mixing chamber below the air cleaner which facilitate through

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mixing of biogas with air before entering into the cylinder. The arrangement is largely used in stationary engine commercially available in India. The capacity of mixing chamber may be kept equal to the engine displacement volume. The pilot injection of cycle is required to be advanced for smooth and efficient running of engine on dual fuel. The admittance of biogas into the engine at the initial stage increases engine speed and therefore a suitable system reduces the diesel supply by actuating the control rack needs to be incorporated. There is a wide range of thoughts on what treatments should these biogases be subjected to before being used as fuel. Most operators simply remove the water present in the biogas, leaving it to the engine manufacturers to design engines which will cope with the impurities inevitably included in the biogas (significant maintenance costs); other Operators are seriously evaluating maintenance costs against initial investments in biogas clean up technologies such as has been developed by Acrion Technologies (although Acrion's technologies are mainly aimed at biogas contaminant removal and separation into methane and carbon dioxide as feed stocks for a variety of commercial applications).

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38% HHV Caterpillar Biogas Engine Fitted to Long Reach Sewage Works

A Caterpillar bio-gas engine was fitted to Long Reach Sewage Works, operated by Thames Water Utilities. This is a V16 engine running at 1500 rpm, on biogas which is typically 60 % methane. Output about 1150 kWe electrical and 1.4 MW thermal energy which heats the digesters to 37 deg C . Electrical efficiency is about 38% HHV, thermal efficiency. Life cycle maintenance costs about 0.9 /kWh. Caterpillar makes about 50 units per day of this basic engine in either gas or diesel (1.8MW) format at its US factory in Lafayette Indiana equivalent to some 23 GWe of capacity per annum. The fully installed cost of this kind of plant, ie the engine, heat exchangers, generator, enclosure, silencer, cooling system, controls, gas supply, commissioning is around 400/kWe. Further info Claverton Contact Form

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See also http://www.claverton-energy.com/for-sale-66mwe-chp-station.html if you want to buy a gas engine power station, and http://www.claverton-energy.com/for-sale-complete-9mwe-power-station.html http://www.claverton-energy.com/first-energy-offer-excellent-condition-complete-gasengined-chp-system-for-sale-and-installation.html http://www.claverton-energy.com/complete-wartsila-9-mwe-gas-engine-power-stationfor-sale.html

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