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.

1
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): 67–75,

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 für 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

2
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.

3
 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.

4
WHY Biomethanation in villages?
 COOKING
 LIGHTING
 FUEL FOR
DUNG BIOGAS KILN
PLANT BIOGAS  FURNACE
WATER ETC.

PURIFY  I. C. ENGINE +
PUMP OR
TO I. C. ENGINE +
COMPOST PIT GENERATOR
(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

5
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)

6
 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)

7
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

8
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.

9
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 µm and K.

rV = (Bo ´ So/q ) · {1– (K/q µm – 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

µm 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 269-

282 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
0.06 So
K = Dimensionless kinetic parameter, for cattle dung, K= 0.8+ 0.0016e

16
m = Maximum specific growth rate of the microorganism in day-1

Different types of biogas plant recognized by MNES (Ministry of Non-

Conventional 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 KVIC Model

3
Size for 3m / day gas delivery
Retention period
Gas Holder
Construction of gas holder
Constr. & layout, digester
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

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
24
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.

25
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.

26
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

27
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.

28
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.

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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?

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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.

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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-gas-
engined-chp-system-for-sale-and-installation.html

http://www.claverton-energy.com/complete-wartsila-9-mwe-gas-engine-power-station-
for-sale.html

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