Status of Biogas in India, Government schemes and Biogas Enrichment & Bottling for Automobile

By

Dr. Virendra K. Vijay

Centre for Rural Development & Technology Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India

E-mail: vkvijay@rdat.iitd.ernet.in

Introduction
Biogas is an important renewable energy resource for rural areas in India. It is produced by anaerobic digestion of biological wastes. It is an environment friendly, clean, cheap and versatile fuel. Biogas generally comprise of 55-65 % methane, 35-45 % carbon dioxide, 0.5-1.0 % hydrogen sulfide and traces of water vapour. Average calorific value of biogas is 20 MJ/m3 (4713 kcal/ m3).

 Biogas like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cannot be liquefied under normal temperature and pressure. Critical temperature required for liquefaction of methane is -82.1oC at 4.71MPa pressure, therefore use of biogas is limited nearby the biogas plant. An estimate indicates that India has a potential of generating 6.38 X 1010 m3 of biogas from 980 million tones of cattle dung produced annually. The heat value of this gas amounts to 1.3 X 1012 MJ. In addition, 350 million tones of manure would also produce along with biogas.

Biogas Technology Status

India has been pioneering country in developing simple and easy to operate biogas plants. The government of India has been running National Biogas and Manure Management Program (NBMMP) for the welfare of the weaker section of the society. 100% Biogas engines are in operation in the country. 95% methane to make it suitable to be used as a transport fuel and for blending with natural gas where the gas grid is available. High density polyethylene (HDPE) based complete and portable family size biogas plants suitable for rural and semi urban area.

 Other urban waste projects include a 1 MW project based on cattle dung at Haebowal, Ludhiana; a 0.50 MW project for generation of power from biogas at sewage treatment plant at Surat, Gujarat; and a 150 kW pant for vegetable market and slaughter house waste and Vijaywada. Another 300 kW project based on vegetable market waste in under commissioning at Chennai. Besides, about 25 waste-to-energy projects with an aggregate capacity of about 30 MW from a variety of industrial wastes also been setup in the country.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Bio-energy Technology Development Group

Biogas Programmes: National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP). Biogas Based Distributed/Grid Power Generation Programme. Demonstration of Integrated Technology Package on BiogasFertilizer Plants (BGFP) for Generation, Purification/ Enrichment, Bottling and Piped Distribution of Biogas. Establishment of Business Model for Demonstration of an Integrated Technology Package for creation of smokeless villages using biogas/ bio-energy systems and meeting Lifeline Energy envisaged in Integrated Energy Policy

Biogas- Fertilizer Plants: Most Potent tool to Handle Methane- a Green house gas
Methane (Green house gas) released from three Landfills of Delhi during 2008: 74,000 tonnes
(Indian Express 29.01.2010)

Effect of methane is higher than from CO2 by: Percentage of methane in harmful green house gas: Annual CO2 Emission Reduction from 1.5 lakh biogas plants: Expected Annual CER from 1.50 lakh biogas plants: 03/25/12

21 times 18%(approx.) 70.5375 tonne Rs.75 lakh

7

Provisions in Integrated Policy Report of Planning Commission

Section 8.3 of Chapter on Household Energy Security: Electricity and Clean Fuels for All recommends to: Provide lifeline entitlement of 30 units of electricity and 6 kg of LPG or equivalent amount of Kerosene for one or both lifeline energy needs through a system of smart/ debit cards with varying levels of direct cash support to targeted house holds.. Provision of 6 kg of LPG may require about 138 million kg of LPG per month for 23 million BPL families. Biogas plant are one of the most suitable option for rural areas for supplying lifeline energy for cooking and lighting. 1.5 to 2m3 capacity biogas plant per family can provide the recommended lifeline energy to BPL families.
8

Biogas Programmes
New Initiative for Technology Demonstration:

Demonstration of Integrated Technology Package on Biogas-Fertilizer Plants (BGFP) for Generation, Purification/ Enrichment, Bottling and Piped Distribution of Biogas. Establishment of Business Model for Demonstration of an Integrated Technology Package for creation of smokeless villages using biogas/ bio-energy systems and meeting Life-line Energy envisaged in Integrated Energy Policy
9

National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)

NPBD/ NBMMP Launched in 1981. Estimated potential of biogas plants: 120 lakh Nos. Cumulative Biogas plants installed: 41.7 lakh(34%) Envisaged Target for 11th Plan: 6.47 lakh plant 3 (14 lakh m ) Installation in first two and half 3 th years of the 11 Plan: 2.44 lakh plant (4.9 lakh m )
10

Category 1. NER States

Approved CFA (in Rs.) under NBMMP for 11th Plan

14,700/10,000/8,000/14,700/9,000/-

CFA (2-4 m3 Plant) CFA (1 m3 Plant) (Rs.) (Rs.)

2. Notified hilly areas, J&K and Plain areas of Assam 3. All other States

4,000/-

4. Support for Training2000 67,500/courses 5. Turn key Job-fee Rs.1500/11

Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation Programme (BDPGP).

Launched in January, 2006. Projects completed: 20 Nos.(567.50 kW) 68 Nos. (549 kW)

Projects under Installation:

Total no. of projects sanctioned: 88 Nos. Total/ Aggregated capacity: About 1.16 MW
12

Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation Programme: Central Financial

Assistance
Power generating capacity Biogas plant capacity CFA/subsidy limited to the following ceiling or 40% of the cost of the system whichever is less. Rs.40,000 per kW Rs.35,000 per kW

3 -20 kW >20 kW to 100 kW

25 cu. m to 85 cu.m Any combination of above plants or alternate capacity /design Any combination of above plants or alternate capacity / design

>100 kW to 250 kW

Rs.30,000 per kW

03/25/12

13

Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation Programme

Biogas Plant Capacity: 25 - 3000 cum/ day Power Generation Capacity: 3 -250 KW Estimated Power Generation from 25 cum Plant: 30KWhr per day (3KW) Estimated Power Generation from 100 cum Plant: 120 KWhr per day (12 KW) Estimated No. of hours for meeting Power Requirement from 25 cum Plant: 10 hrs.

14

Biogas-fertilizer Plant Potential in India

1. Cattle Dung based biogas and bio-fertilizer Potential: Cattle population: Over 289 million Dung collected: 1445 million ton/day

(@ 5kg per cattle per day) Estimated Biogas Generation: 57.8 million m3/day Estimated LPG equivalent: 25 million kg/ day Bio-fertilizer: 1083.75 million ton/ day 15

Biogas-fertilizer Plant Potential in India

2. Surplus crop residue/ biomass based potential: Surplus crop residue/ biomass: 38.52 million ton/yr 3. Estimated biogas generation: 3.852 million m3/yr. Estimated LPG equivalent: 1.67 million kg/ yr. Bio-fertilizer: De-oiled cake based biogas potential: (4,00,000 ha of Jatropha plantation) Estimated biogas generation: 0.263 million m3/yr. Estimated LPG equivalent: 0.114 million kg/ yr.
Contd.
16

Biogas-fertilizer Plant Potential in India

4. Poultry Litter based potential: Total Poultry population (1997): 347 million Estimated bird litter production (@200g/ bird/ day): 25 million tons/ yr. Estimated Biogas production: 2983 million m3/yr. (@116 ltr/ kg): Estimated LPG equivalent: 1277.39 million kg/ yr. 5. Kitchen waste based potential: considerable.
17

Biogas-Fertilizer Plant Demonstration Projects: Objectives

To harness near total potential of loose and leafy biomass waste, cattle dung and waste from kitchens and gardens in rural areas for installation of medium and large size biogasfertilizer plants. Purification/ enrichment of bottling of biogas to replace PNG/ CNG/ LPG. To produce, upgrade and package high quality biofertilizer through vermi-composting and other technologies from digested slurry of BGFP To establish self-sustainable entrepreneurial model for installation of such plants in villages, gaushalas, dairies, eating joints, restaurants, hostels and institutions.

BGFP Technology Demonstration Projects

Proposed No. of Technology demonstration projects: 100 Nos. Capacity of BGFP: Multiples of 200, 500 and 1000 m3. Minimum economically sustainable plant size/ capacity: About 400 m3. Estimated cost of an Integrated 200-1000 m3 BGFP Project (cost will vary on plant size taken up): Rs. 40-160 lakh. Support technology demonstration. Better to follow commercio-cooperative approach for ensuring biomass feed material supply from beneficiaries.

Institutional arrangements for implementation of BGFP Technology Demonstration Projects

It is proposed to implement the proposed BGFP demonstration projects through private and public sector companies, and leasing companies, rural entrepreneurs, cooperatives through IREDA, Banks and other financial institutions. To make Biogas-fertilizer plant based Energy Infrastructure Initiative more economical, it would be useful for corporate bodies and entrepreneurs to bunch BGFPs in group of villages/ areas to avail of CDM benefits.

Financial Support for BGFP Projects

Proposed financial support: Organization MNRE support: IREDA/ Bank Loan: Promoter/ user agency contribution: Percentage of Project Cost 50% 30% 20%

HDPE biogas plants by two private sector manufacturers installed under a demonstration project

Biogas Production Potential from different Wastes

A KVIC Type Biogas Plant

Biogas Plant

20 m3/day Capacity KVIC Biogas Plant installed at IIT Delhi

Need for the Biogas Enrichment and Bottling

Potential of biogas is commercialized so far. not fully utilized and

For commercialization, its area of application may widen; from cooking fuel to vehicle fuel. For use as a vehicle fuel, it should be bottled like CNG. Before bottling, it should enriched in methane content from 55 % to 95 %; similar to CNG.

CO2 & H2S Removal Processes from Biogas:

S. No. 1. Method Advantages Disadvantages

Absorption in Water Absorption by Chemicals

2.

One of the easiest and cheapest methods Water pumping load is high. for CO2 removal. Recommended for CO2 can not be recovered rural application. The chemical absorbents are more Regeneration of the solvent requires a efficient in low pressure and can removerelatively high energy input. Disposal of byCO2 to low partial pressures in treated product formed due to chemical reactions is a problem. gas.

3.

Pressure Swing By proper choice of the adsorbent, this Adsorption is accomplished at high Adsorption process can remove CO2, H2S, moisture temperature and pressure. Regeneration is carried out by vacuum. It is a costly process. and other impurities. Membrane Separation Cryogenic Separation Chemical Conversion Modular in nature and separate CO2 and High pressure requirement. The processing cost is also high. CH4 effectively. Allows recovery of pure component in High cost involved makes it impractical for the form of liquid, which can be Biogas applications. transported conveniently Extremely high purity in the product gas. Process is extremely expensive and is not warranted in most Biogas applications.

4.

5.

6.

 Among various methods of enrichment i.e. Chemical absorption, PSA, membrane separation; Water scrubbing is found to be a suitable method for biogas enrichment in rural areas. It is simple, continuous and cheap process compared to other processes and also absorb H2S. Enriched biogas can further compress up to 20 MPa pressure for optimum gas storage in cylinders.

Refining and Compression of Biogas

Purification is carried out to enrich biogas by scrubbing off the unwanted components i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). It is essential to have more energy per unit volume of compressed biogas and to get rid of the corrosive effect of H2S. Various purification processes include absorption into water, absorption by chemical, pressure swing adsorption and membrane separation. One of the easiest, simplest and cheapest method is the use of pressurized water as an absorbent liquid.

 For economic viability of biogas availability should be in large quantity.

bottling,

its

Plants linked with Dairy / Goshala (350 cattle or more), sewage treatment plants are suitable for this work. Biogas bottling may start new business venture in villages. Thus, open up new era of employment and income generation for village people. Biogas manure enhances the organic content of soil, thereby increases water holding capacity of soil.

Design of Water Scrubbing System

Water scrubbing method is found most suitable for biogas enrichment in rural areas. Water is good solvent for CO2. The solubility of CO2 in water is governed by variation in pressures and temperatures.

System Operation
Raw biogas is compressed up to 1.0 MPa pressure to enhance solubility of CO2 in water. Pressurized biogas is sent into bottom section of the scrubber. Packing material is used to enhance the contact time (interfacial area) between gas and water. Pressurized water is sprayed from top to absorb the CO2 from pressurized biogas.

Process flow chart of biogas enrichment and compression system

Biogas Digester Biogas (CH4 CO2) Single Stage Compressor Gas Storage Pressure Vessel Water Pump Flow Meter Biogas Scrubber Dissolved CO2 in Water Enriched Biogas Gas Storage Pressure Vessel Moisture Filters Moisture Removal

Water Tank

Pressure Reducers

Three Stage Gas Compressor

High Pressure Cylinders for Storage of Enriched Gas

Biogas Enrichment and Bottling System

1 -Biogas plant 1 -Safety valve 1 1 -Ball valve 1 -Water sprayer 1 1 ater remover -W 1 -Flange 1 1 -Receiver mounted compressor -View glass 1 1 1 -Pressure gauge 1 -Water outlet 1 1 -Gas Storage Vessel 1 -Water pump 1 1 -Rotameter 1 -Gas filter 1 1 -Supporting stand 1 -Pressure reducer 1 1 -Reshching rings 1 -Three stage gas compressor 1 1 -Scrubber 1 1 -CNG Cylinder 1

NOT TO SCALE
1 1

1 1

1 1

1 1

1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Fig.1 Experimental setup for biogas purification and bottling :

Biogas Enrichment and Bottling plant at Durgapura Jaipur

Automotive Car and three wheeler Running on Enriched Biogas

Further R&D Work Required for Biogas Development Biogas production using easily available local waste material preferably agricultural wastes. Development of new and low cost improved designs of biogas plants for large sizes. Development of low cost technology for separation of methane, CO2 and sulfur compounds from biogas for easy bottling of pure methane and to reduce the damages caused by S-compounds on machines using the biogas.

 The effect of bio-wash (liquid from digested slurry) on vegetables and crops. Design of kitchen waste biogas plant for restaurants Testing of oil seed cake based biogas plant slurry for nutrient value and its effect on crop production

Conclusions
India has second largest biogas programme in the world at rural and as well as urban levels. Many technologies/models have been successfully developed in India for biogas programme. There is need to develop a sustainable renewable energy programme on biogas for replacing petroleum products by utilization of biogas in the country. This will help in green energy technology and reducing green house gases emissions.

Biogas is a potential renewable energy source for rural India and other developing countries. Biogas generation and subsequent bottling will cater the energy needs of 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 and income of the rural people.

Biogas flame

THANK YOU