KVIC AND DEENBANDHU BIOGAS PLANTS

Submitted by : Bhaskar Joshi

What is biogas ??

Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.

Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable materials such as biomass, manure, sewage, municipal waste, green waste, plant material and energy crops.

This type of biogas comprises primarily methane and carbon dioxide.

Uses of Biogas

The gases methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be combusted or oxidized with oxygen. Air contains 21% oxygen. This energy release allows biogas to be used as a fuel.

Biogas can be used as a low-cost fuel in any country for any heating purpose, such as cooking.

It can also be used in modern waste management facilities where it can be used to run any type of heat engine, to generate either mechanical or electrical power.

Biogas can be compressed, much like natural gas, and used to power motor vehicles.

In the UK, for example, it is estimated to have the potential to replace around 17% of vehicle fuel.

Major advantages of biogas

Visible improvement in rural hygiene.

Environmental benefits on a global scale.

Protects the earth's natural resources.

Eco friendly energy production. Boon for the rural economy.

Biogas Plants

A biogas plant is the name often given to an anaerobic digester that treats farm wastes or energy crops.

These plants can be fed with energy crops such as maize silage or biodegradable wastes including sewage sludge and food waste.

During the process, an air-tight tank transforms biomass waste into methane producing renewable energy that can be used for heating, electricity, and many other operations.

A Typical biogas plant

Types of biogas plants

The most important types of biogas plants used in INDIA are:

Janata Fixed Dome type KVIC Floating Drum type Deenbandhu fixed dome type Shramik bandhu biogas plant

KVIC Floating Drum Plant

Initial cost of installation is more for the Khadi Village Industries Commission plant.

Cost or repair and maintenance during operation is relatively high.

Steel gas holder needs to be replaced due to corrosion effect.

Life of digester is expected to be 30 years and that of the gas holder is 5-7 years.

Drum, which is exposed over the ground, does not allow the use of space over the plant for other purposes.

As the gas holder is metallic, the low temperature during winters effects the gas production.

Most suitable for dung and night soil, other organic materials may clog the inlet pipe.

About KVIC Cont…..

Construction of digester is simple and hence no skilled labour is required but fabrication of gas holder requires workshop facility

Requires less excavation work during installation

Location of defects in gas holder and its repair is easy and can be done in the workshop

Release of gas is at constant pressure because of fixed weight of steel gas holder and hence efficiency of plant is higher.

Typical KVIC biogas plant

Deenbandhu Fixed Dome Plant Capital investment for corresponding size of

the plant is less. As there are no moving parts, the

maintenance cost is high. Steel gas holder is not required. Life of the plant is expected to be

comparatively more. As the unit is underground, the space above

the plant can be used for other purposes. Effect of low temperature is less.

About Deenbandhu Cont….

Construction of dome portion of unit is a skilled job and only trained mason can do it.

Requires more excavation work. Location of defects in the dome and their

repair is difficult. Release of gas is at variable pressure and it

may cause reduction in efficiency of gas appliances.

It could be easily modified and adopted for use of other types of organic wastes.

A Deenbandhu biogas plant

Thank you