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”
 Biogas composition

Sl. No. Constituents % (V/V)

1 CH4 60

2 Co2 38

3 H2 S <1

4 H2O vapors ~1

5 Heating value 4500 – 4700 k cal/m3

 Biogas Plants

KVIC/floating dome type Janta/fixed dome type

(i) Gas is released at constant pressure (i) Gas is released at variable pressure
(ii) Identifying the defects in gas holder easy (ii) Identifying defects is difficult
(iii) Cost of maintenance is high (iii) Cost of maintenance is low
(iv) Capital cost is high (iv) Capital cost is low (for some capacity)
(v) Floating drum does not allow the use of space (v) Space above the drum can be used
for other purpose
(vi) Temperature is low during winter (vi) Temperature is high during winter
(vii) Life is short (vii) Life span is comparatively longer
(viii) Requires relatively less excavation (viii) Requires more 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 (SI) 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)
Beer (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.