BASICS OF ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM(20EE11T) 2020-21

UNIT- 4: Biomass Power, Fuel Cell and Hybrid PV Systems

Session - 28
Overview:
Bio fuels, Biogas plant, Types of biogas plant

Biofuels:
• Biofuels are the renewable energy source made from biomass such as corn or sugar,
vegetable oils or waste feedstocks.
• Biofuels emit less carbon dioxide (CO2) than conventional fuels. Hence, they are
blended with existing fuels to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector.

There are two types of bio fuels namely:

1. Ethanol: Ethanol is produced by fermenting sugar or starch products such as

sugarcane or corn. It is blended with petrol at levels up to 10% or higher and is used
in vehicles called “flex-fuel” vehicles.
2. Biodiesel: Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats. It is blended
with diesel at low levels up to 7%.

Biogas plant:
• Biomass can be converted into a more convenient form of gaseous fuel called
biogas.
• Biogas is produced in a digester by anaerobic decomposition of wet biomass such
as animal dung or human sewage by the action bacteria.
• Biogas mainly contains methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and small
amounts of hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
• Biogas plants use biogas as fuel to produce electricity.

Types of biogas plants: Biogas plants are mainly classified as:

1. Batch type biogas plant
2. Continuous type biogas plant

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Continuous type plants are further classified as:

2a) Floating drum type biogas plant

2b) Fixed dome type biogas plant

Note:- Syllabus states “Mention types of biogas plants”.

Explanation has been included only for better understanding of the
topic.

1. Batch type biogas plant:

• In batch type plant, the digester is filled with biomass. 8-10 days after filling, it
starts producing biogas.
• The biogas is produced continuously for about 40-50 days.
• After the digestion is complete and biogas production stops, the residue is
emptied and digester is filled again.
• A batch of digesters is used and the digesters are filled and emptied one by one
so that continuous supply of gas is maintained in a common gas holder.

2. Continuous type biogas plant:

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• In continuous type biogas plant,

the supply of the gas is continuous and the
digester is fed with biomass regularly.
• The gas produced is stored in a gas
holder which can be drawn out when
required. The digested slurry is removed
out through an outlet.

Types of Continuous type biogas plant:

2a. Floating Drum Type (Movable Drum Type) Biogas Plant:

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BASICS OF ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM(20EE11T) 2020-21

• The floating drum type consists of a digester with an inlet on one side for
feeding slurry and an outlet on the other side for removing digested slurry.
• Fig shows the line diagram of floating drum type biogas plant.
• Slurry (mixture of equal quantities of biomass and water) is prepared in a mixing
tank and is fed into the digester through the inlet pipe.
• The plant is left unused for about two months. During this period, anaerobic
decomposition of slurry takes place and produces biogas in the digester.
• The gas collects in a steel drum which is inverted over the slurry.
• The drum floats as the gas gets collected and it sinks when the gas is taken out
from the top.

2b. Fixed dome type biogas plant:

• A fixed-dome plant consists of a fixed, non-movable gas holder, which forms

the dome of the digester. Fig shows the line diagram of fixed dome type biogas
plant.
• Slurry is prepared in a mixing tank and is fed into the digester through the inlet
pipe.
• The plant is left unused for about two months. During this period, anaerobic
decomposition of slurry takes place and produces biogas in the digester.
• The biogas starts collecting in the dome of the digester.
• When more and more gas is produced, the pressure inside the digester increases
and the spent slurry is displaced into the displacement tank.

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BASICS OF ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM(20EE11T) 2020-21

• This spent slurry can be used as manure for plants.

• The gas valve is opened whenever a supply of biogas is required.

References:
Non-conventional energy resources by: B H Khan. Publisher – McGraw Hill Education
India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi.

e-Resource:
https://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/new-
energies/biofuels.html#iframe=L3dlYmFwcHMvMjAxOV9CaW9mdWVsc19pbnRlc
mFjdGl2ZV9tYXAv

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