BIOGAS

INTRODUCTION TO BIOGAS

 Biomass is organic matter produced by plants and animals

 Anaerobic digestion process
 Anaerobic digestions is a biological process which occurs in absence
of oxygen and in the presence of anaerobic organisms at ambient
pressures and temperatures of 35-70°C.
 Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological
breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen`
 Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal feces,
and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas
 Biogas is the product of fermentation of Biomass
 Biogas essentially contains methane along with CO2 and traces of
water vapour, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide
 Biogas has energy content equivalent to 2/3 of Natural gas
 Biogas can be used for cooking, heating or as an automotive fuel
 PROPERTIES OF BIOGAS

 Calorific value = 35 MJ/m3

 Octane Rating = 130
 Ignition Temperature = 650°C
 Air to Fuel ratio (Stoichiometric) = 10:1
 Explosive limit = 5 to 15
 Contains 50 to 60 % CH4, 30 to 45% CO2, 5-10%
H2S, Trace N2 and H2O
 ADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS

 Environmentally less polluting

 Leak detection is easy
 Renewable in Nature
 Obtained from Diverse Sources
 Economically Cheaper
 Higher Energy Content
 Higher Octane Rating
 Promotes rural economy
 Wide range of applications
 BIOGAS : ISSUES
 Biogas contains sulfur and water vapour impurities which
need to be cleaned
 Reduced volumetric efficiency & less partial pressures in the
intake manifold causes power loss
 Variable fuel composition affects performance and emissions
 Inadequate transportation and distribution infrastructure
 BIOGAS GENERATION REACTIONS
 The digestion reaction is carried out by micro organisms like bacteria.
Anaerobic bacteria ferment the biomass to produce biogas.
 Three phases :
1. Enzymatic Hydrolysis: Fats, starches and proteins in biomass are broken down
into simple hydrocarbons
2. Acid Formation : The simple hydrocarbons are then converted to simple Organic
acids by bacterial action.
3. Methane Formation: The organic acids are decomposed to form methane and
carbon-dioxide.
 PH value should be 6.5 to 8

GENERAL EQUATION IS

CxHyOz + (x - y/4 - z/2) H2O (x/2 - y/8 + z/4) CO2 + (x/2 + y/8 + z/4) CH4

For example in the case of cellulose the equation becomes,

 
(C6H10O5)n +nH2O  3nCO2 + 3nCH4
FACTORS FOR SELECTING BIOGAS PLANT SITE
 
 The plant should be located near the waste source.
 Ample open space should be available .
 Proper sunlight should be available.
 The plant should be away from water wells to avoid seepage.
 Water should be available for fermentation.
 FACTORS AFFECTING BIOGAS
GENERATION
 pH value of Biomass
 Temperature of digestion
 Solid content of feed
 Rate of feed in digester
 Carbon to Nitrogen ratio in Biomass
 Diameter to depth ratio of digester
 Retention time for digestion
 Stirring of contents of digester
 Pressure in the digester
 Acid accumulation in digester
 BIOGAS GENERATION PLANTS

 Continuous Type
Two stage digester with acid and methane
continuous production
 Dome Type
Single stage digester of batch type based on
Chinese design
 Floating Drum type
Two stage digester of batch type of Indian Design
 COMPARISON OF BIOGAS PLANTS
S.N Floating Drum Biogas Plant
1 Partly below ground.
2 Corrosion of tank is possible.
3 Gas holder is made of mild steel.
4 Expensive construction .
6 Higher gas production .
7 No problem of gas leakage
8 Maintenance is required.
9 Constant biogas pressure.
10 Safer to operate.
11 Unsuitable for colder regions.
Fixed Dome Biogas Plant
Fully below ground.
Corrosion of tank is not possible.
Gas holder is made of concrete
Cheaper construction .
Lower gas production .
Gas leakage is a problem.
Maintenance is not required.
Variable biogas pressure.
Danger of explosion.
Suitable for colder regions.
 BIOGAS in SI Engines

 Increase in CO2 content – Low combustion rate

 Low CO, HC and NOx emission
 High CO2 emission – without purification process
 High inert gas ratio – Lower heating value, combustion
instability
 Power loss and low fuel economy
 BIOGAS in CI Engines
 Potential to inhibit harmful emissions
 Low brake specific energy consumption
 Port injection of biogas – lower the NOx and soot emission
 Biogas/Diesel – Longer ignition delay and longer
combustion duration
 BIOGAS GENERATION IN SWEDEN

 Sweden is a leader in Biogas production and use

as an automotive fuel.
 Swedish Gas Center (SGC) is actively involved in
promoting use of Biogas as an automotive fuel
 Dr. Owe Johnson of SGC has published
technical papers on use of Biogas in I.C.Engines
 Presentation of SGC on Biogas