1

2

INTRODUCTION

Diminishing forests, and a burgeoning, mainly rural biomass-dependent population of

984 million, necessitates a co-ordinated effort of rural India to supply itself with a

dependable and sustained source of energy.

Biomass alone currently meets 57% of the national energy demand, yet is rarely

featured in any 'official' statistics of energy use, given perhaps its scattered nature,

and its low status as fuel. Indeed, according to statistics, in 1995, 63.3% of India's

energy production was from its reserves of low-grade coal, 18.6% from petroleum,

while hydroelectricity, natural gas and nuclear accounted for 8.9%, 8.2%, and 1%

respectively.

India's overall energy production in 1995 was approximately 8.8 quadrillion Btu

(quads), while consumption was 10.5 quads. India's energy demand is increasing,

and its inability to step up production to meet demand, has increased India's reliance

on costly imports, the gap between consumption and production projected to widen

into the next century, as demand for energy is projected to grow at an annual rate of

4.6% - one of the highest in the world. Energy for developing industries, transport, and

a drive towards the electrification of India over the last three decades of an expanding

residential sector, so that currently, a great percentage of villages in the subcontinent

have access to the grid- as much as 90%, according to recent figures (EIA, 1998),

have contributed to the energy production deficit.

Fuelwood is the primary source of biomass, derived from natural forests, plantations,

woodlots and trees around the homestead.

3

Table 1: The estimated potential of various RES technologies in

India

Source / System Approximate Potential

Biogas plants (in millions)

Improved woodstoves (in

millions)

Biogas (MW)

Solar energy (MW / km2)

Wind energy (MW)

Small hydro power (MW)

Ocean energy (MW)

12

120

17,000

20

20,000

10,000

50,000

APPLICATION OF BIOGAS IN RURAL INDUSTRIES

As using part of purified biogas. From theoretical estimation agriculture is main

occupation in rural areas, industries about 245 MJ dayG energy is required for

purification and related with agricultural produce such as food processing

compression operation which is about 25% of the total unit (Fruits, Chilies, tomato

sauce, jam, vegetable drying energy generated per day through biogas. The net

energy etc.), flour and spice mill, mini oil expeller etc. are more available in terms of

Liquefied Biogas is about 735 MJ successful in these areas. They are not only based

on dayG . It is bottled at 10×10 kPa pressure in 4 cylinders in local produce, but also

provide employment to people a day when they need it most. These industries can

run easily Considering US $ 6250 as capital expenditure and on power develop by

4

diesel engine using bottled energy US $ 634 annual operational expenditure for 60 m

dayG of biogas than diesel/electricity. Here rural industries capacity biogas plant and

bottling system, the cost of which can power through 60 m dayG capacity biogas.

WHY BIOGAS?

Biogas has an enormous potential of 17,000 MW (estimated). Biogas technology is a

particularly useful system in the Indian rural economy, and can fulfil several end uses.

The gas is useful as a fuel substitute for firewood, dung, agricultural residues, petrol,

diesel, and electricity, depending on the nature of the task, and local supply conditions

and constraints, thus supplying energy for cooking and lighting. Biogas systems also

provide a residue organic waste, after anaerobic digestion that has superior nutrient

qualities over the usual organic fertilizer, cattle dung, as it is in the form of ammonia.

Anaerobic digesters also function as a waste disposal system, particularly for human

waste, and can, therefore, prevent potential sources of environmental contamination

and the spread of pathogens. Small-scale industries are also made possible, from the

sale of surplus gas to the provision of power for a rural-based industry, therefore,

biogas may also provide the user with income generating opportunities. The gas can

also be used to power engines, in a dual fuel mix with petrol and diesel, and can aid in

pumped irrigation systems. Biogas can also be utilized for:

1.) Electricity production on sewage works, cooking, space heating, water

heatingand process heating.

2.) If compressed, it can replace compressed natural gas for use in vehicles, where

it can fuel an internal combustion engine or fuel cellsand is a much more effective

displacer of carbon dioxide than the normal use in on site CHP plants.

3.) Methane within biogas can be concentrated to the same standards as fossil

5

natural gas; when it is, it is called biomethane.

4.) If concentrated and compressed it can also be used in vehicle transportation.

Liquefied Biogas is becoming widely used in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. A

biogas-powered train has been in service in Sweden since 2005.

Apart from the direct benefits gleaned from biogas systems, there are other, perhaps

less tangible benefits associated with this renewable technology. By providing an

alternative source of fuel, biogas can replace the traditional biomass based fuels,

notably wood. Introduced on a significant scale, biogas may reduce the dependence

on wood from forests, and create a vacuum in the market, at least for firewood.

The use of biogas systems in an agrarian community can increase agricultural

productivity. All the agricultural residue, and dung generated within the community is

available for anaerobic digestion, whereas previously, a portion would be combusted

daily for fuel. Therefore more is returned to the land. An increase in land fertility, then,

can result in an increase in agricultural production. The knock on benefits may include

improved subsistence, increased local food security, or income generation from a

higher output.

EVOLUTION OF BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY

Biogas plants in India were experimentally introduced in the 1930's, and research was

principally focused around the Sewage Purification Station at Dadar in Bombay,

undertaken by S.V. Desai and N.V. Joshi of the Soil Chemistry Division, Indian

Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi.

6

Research into anaerobic digesters continued around the country, and the Planning

Research and Action Division (PRAD) based in Uttar Pradesh, northern India

developed the 'Janata' fixed-dome plant, based on a modified design widely used in

China.

The discussion so far has highlighted the potential contribution of biogas systems in a

rural, Indian economy. Although the systems evolve through a process of research

and development, the critical test of their appropriateness, and ultimate usefulness, is

their application in the field.

Table 2: Different types of biogas plant recognized by MNES

(Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources). After Gate, 1999.

Floating-drum plant with a cylinder digester (KVIC model).

Fixed-dome plant with a brick reinforced, moulded dome (Janata

model).

Floating-drum plant with a hemisphere digester (Pragati model).

Fixed-dome plant with a hemisphere digester (Deenbandhu

model).

Floating-drum plant made of angular steel and plastic foil (Ganesh

model).

Floating-drum plant made of pre-fabricated reinforced concrete

compound units.

Floating-drum plant made of fibreglass reinforced polyester.

7

In the 1980's, the NPBD was active in promoting biogas in low-caste and tribal areas

of Udaipur, Rajasthan, north-western India. It conducted a survey in eight villages of

mixed caste and tribe, in an attempt to assess the impact and effectiveness of NPBD

in these areas. 114 samples of families who had installed biogas plants under the

NPBD programme up to 1985, notably the cheaper fixed-dome Janata were

considered. The data revealed some interesting findings; of the 114 beneficiaries, 107

were registered as 'landless' or 'marginal', though the survey discovered the plant

owners were mostly the wives or sons, of landowners who owned between 6-20 acres

of land.

As a success for the NPBD, the scheme is described as a 'peoples' programme'. That

participation amongst farmers is high is a positive sign of the potential role of biogas

in an agricultural community, however, the programme does not appear to be

delivering to the rural poor, as defined by scheduled caste and tribe, which may be

indicative of the inherent incompatibility of the technology with regard to marginalised

groups.

Uptake of biogas technology among scheduled caste and Adivasi (tribal) groups then

is found to vary across the subcontinent, though even where participation is high, the

technology may not be truly viable. As household size plants may be generally non-

viable to many scheduled caste and Adivasi groups, community size plants might be

more appropriate. Larger sized plants, servicing a cluster of houses, or indeed a

whole village, may overcome the seemingly insurmountable problems apparent

regarding individual plants and the rural poor, as discussed earlier.

8

Table 3: Daily dung requirements and dung fed (quintal =100kg)

Name of

village

Dung

requirement

Dung fed Difference

From

village

From

outside

Total

Mehdoodan

Peharkalan

Ablowal

Passiana

Hambran

Pandori

Chabewal

30

30

30

30

95

30

30

14

16

10

12

45

12

-

-

4

10

10

-

3

30

14

20

20

22

45

15

30

16

10

10

8

50

15

-

With each cow producing approximately 12 pounds of manure a day (7,500 Btu/dry

pound), cattle operations have the potential of producing up to 1 kilowatt of energy per

cow per day. Much of this potential energy is lost through natural processes, and in

collecting and managing the waste. With concentrations of cattle exceeding 100,000

at some dairy and feeding operations, the potential for energy recovery is significant.

Although the potential resource is significant, the economics of generating energy

from animal waste are not as favorable as for digesters or landfill operations. Primary

reason is that animal waste is land applied, so there are significant costs associated

with waste collection and treatment that need to be considered as part of an energy

recovery project. Environmental and groundwater standards, are becoming

increasingly important. In highly agricultural areas, these requirements are imposing

added costs on dairy operators. Installing energy recovery systems enables some of

these costs to be offset, which is a factor that is increasingly important.

9

FACTORS HINDERING SPERAD OF BIOGAS

It would be worth briefly considering the problems associated with the alternative

technology, in terms of technical/operational, economic, and cultural aspects, which

may potentially hinder its spread. Finally, the government's overall approach in

disseminating biogas technology will be considered.

Technically, problems have arisen from installing too large a capacity plant, either by

accident or design. There is a general tendency for householders to construct an

over-sized plant, even when they are only used for cooking purposes and not applied

to wider energy demands. Too large a plant was found to lead to under feeding, and

eventual failure of the plants to produce gas. Under feeding was also found to occur

due to the under-collection of dung, estimated typically at 30-40% of the required

capacity, and principally due to cattle being worked in the field, which would also lead

to a reduction in gas production. Dung may also vary in its availability. As mentioned

earlier, in areas of climatic instability, the occurrence of drought may reduce dung

availability, by forced sale of cattle, or even death of cattle. Sometimes the plants are

faulty in their construction, or develop problems that lead to the non-functioning of the

plant, due to shoddy construction.

The system of grants and loans may hinder the correct choice of plant for different

users, such as the ineligibility of community size systems, due to their size. While

finally, another point in prohibiting uptake may be the perceived unnecessary switch

from the existing free source of energy, such as wood and crop residues. Cultural

practices may also hinder general uptake, due to reluctance to adopt different

behavior, particularly regarding the use of latrines in biogas systems. Traditional

cooking practises may also need to be altered.

The problems discussed above may be overcome, through effective selection

processes for the technology, and proper extension and support services. By all

10

accounts, the government does not seem to be effectively organised to achieve such

a goal, and a high number of non-operative biogas plants are likely to continue.

Criticisms of NPBD have been widely articulated, from the lax selection process, to

the arbitrary fixing of regional targets, which are then pursued. In a study of biogas

uptake in Maharashtra, that in a sample of 1670 plants, 1086 beneficiaries were found

not to qualify under the feasibility criteria. There is a lack of available technical

support. In this way, plants may be allowed to fall into disrepair, when their functioning

may depend upon adequate maintenance skills, which should be available in every

village. There is a danger that biogas may come to be thought of as a useless and

inappropriate initiative, a folly imposed from policy makers and NGO's.

Compared to the biogas programme in China, where seven million household and

community biogas systems have been successfully installed, India has a long way to

go to realise the benefits of biogas technology. China, through the creation of effective

institutions and by placing an emphasis on training and education, has achieved

widespread dissemination of biogas technology, though the social organisation may

particularly facilitate the spread of new, community-focused technologies.

CONCEPT OF LBG

Biogas contains a large proportion (about 40 % by volume) of carbon dioxide, a

heavier and non combustible gas and some fraction of hydrogen sulphide. Hence it is

needed to enrich biogas by removing these undesirable gases to save compression

energy and space in bottle and corroding effect, which can be done by scrubbing. The

scrubbing system is found to enrich methane about 95 % or more depending upon

biogas inlet and water injection pressure. Biogas can be used for all applications

11

designed for natural gas,

assuming sufficient purification.

Scope of the technology

Enriched biogas is made moisture free by passing it through filters, after which it is

compressed up to 200 bar pressure using a three stage gas compressor.

Compressed gas is stored in high pressure steel cylinders as used for CNG. There is

large potential of this technology in buses, tractors, cars, auto rickshaws, irrigation

pump sets and in rural industries. This will help to meet our energy demand for rural

masses thus reducing the dependence on extremely valuable and insufficient fuels,

like petroleum.

Biogas (LBG) Purification and Bottling

India has a huge population of humans and cattle. One fifth of the population of earth

as well as millions of cattle reside in India. So bio-logical waste is available in

abundance.

Unfortunately no conscientious effort, except the traditional use of animal waste as

manure, has been made to some extent. No effort has been made to use this waste

for the purpose of production of energy to run power plants, vehicles etc. Several

years back a half hearted effort was made to use this Bio- Gas as a source of cooking

with the help of bio-digesters. This was done by marginal farmers/cattle breeders

having one or two cattle. Obviously it did not bring any worth while response. Due to

the small size of the plant and improper handling the out put of the gas was limited

and irregular. It has always been considered only as a stand by alternative

12

arrangement.

At no time in the past, an all out effort to utilise the potentiality of large cattle breeders,

Gaushallas and Panjrapols has even been considered.

By an approximate formula, 100 cows will give/day 1000/Kg of cow dung, this in a bio

digester will yield about 40 M3 of Gobar gas. After removing impurities such as CO2,

Sulphur, Moisture etc will yield about 20M3 or 17Kg of pure methane gas.

It is only now that, a Technology has been developed by us, enabling the use of this

gas from Bio digester. Gober gas is purified of all impurities and moisture. Pure

Methane gas is than Compressed. This Compressed Bio - Gas is capable of running

Power plants & Vehicles.

Brief description & operation of the plant is as under

This Project is designed for

Bottling Biogas

Generating power using non-conventional energy

Driving conventional vehicles using non-conventional energy

The Project has two parts:

Ist part Deals in separating impurities such as moisture, Carbon dioxide and

Hydrogen sulfide and generating pure Methane from Biogas.

IInd part Deals in Filtering, compressing and filling Methane in a Gas Bottle i.e. a CNG

13

Dispenser making it suitable as an IC Engine fuel.

Ist part

Biogas is an economical, renewable and an eco-friendly fuel. Biogas is produced in

an anaerobic digester i.e. a Gobar gas plant. Biogas in its natural self consists of

Moisture, Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen sulfide and Methane gas. Methane has a high

calorific value in its pure stage. Due to the presence of impurities Biogas becomes a

very low calorific value fuel and hence finds a very limited application even though it is

cheap and easily available.

We have to extract pure and high calorific value fuel methane from low calorific fuel

Biogas to make it an IC Engine suitable fuel. Once pure Methane is available in

suitable quality and quantity it finds a wide range of applications from running an oil

engine, driving a Motor car Engine to operating a Gas Turbine for rural power

generation.

Biogas generated from the digester is allowed to flow through moisture traps. This

process drains out the Moisture present in the gas. The gas is than allowed to counter

flow in a specially designed Sulfide extractor. This filter drains out Balance Moisture

along with the present sulfides.

Treated gas is pressurized with the help of a primary compressor. The filters mounted

drain out any present moisture and Oil present post compression.

The pressurized clean gas is than passed through a Physical Separation Device. The

Physical Separation Device is a specially designed modern high pressure combined

14

directional flow device for cleaning Biogas of it high impurities.

A measuring device is fitted after the filters to gauge the quantum of clean Methane

gas collected in the collecting tank.

IInd part

This part of our system now deals in bottling this clean Methane gas into a standard

CNG bottle. Gaseous Fuel generates maximum efficiency when it is injected into any

CNG converted Internal combustion Engine with the desired constant pressure.

The cleaned Methane gas is than taken into a 3-Stage high-pressure compressor.

The compressor compresses the gas from

a) Atmospheric to 10Kg/cm2 in stage I

b) 10Kg/cm2 to 60Kg/cm2 in stage II

c) 60Kg/cm2 to 250Kg/cm2 in stage III

This pressure is considered suitable to fill up a CNG bottle rack. This CNG Bottle

Rack can than be connected to a standard CNG Dispenser unit. Now this purified

Gobar gas is ready to be used as Fuel in a motor car, or run a Gas Turbine or any

CNG converted Internal combustion engine connected to an alternator to produce

electricity.

We have renamed this Purified Biogas as LBG - LIQUEFIED BIOGAS.

The whole System from Input of Biogas into the Machine till Filling LBG into a Vehicle

or Bottles consumes less than 5Kva of Power for a system designed to treat 200 M3.

15

of gobar-gas.

Our system aims on reducing Capital cost, Operational costs and space

requirements. The system can safely be operated by our rural citizens with minimum

training. Our system has been designed keeping Indian rural conditions in mind. It is

so flexible that it can be mounted on a Tractor Trolley (if required), the most common

utility vehicle in all rural areas.

Due to this, mobile LBG unit, can cater to more than one Biogas plant in a rural area,

as come times due to local conditions, it may not be possible to have all the Bio-waste

Digesters in one area. The Trolley mounted machine with the help of a tractor can be

transported to the Bio Digester which is filled up with the unrefined gas. The machine

after refining the LBG can fill up the bottles which can be stored or transported to the

required place with ease, causing an uninterrupted supply of high calorific value LBG

gas.

A properly coordinated movement could result in complete conversion of Vehicles

from fossil-based fuel to abundantly available Methane. This movement would change

the face of Indian economy forever.

The size & cost of the plant depends upon the total quantum of Gobar available.

BIO GAS PURIFICATION AND BOTTLING

UNIT

LAYOUT DRAWING

16

A CASE STUDY TO BOTTLE THE BIOGAS IN CYLINDERS AS A SOURCE OF

PURIFICATION AND BOTTLING OF BIOGAS

To have more vessels for bottling in cylinders, energy per unit volume of biogas, the

carbon dioxide content in thebiogas should be removed.

Feasibility study on biogas bottling

A model has been sulfide (H S) content may deteriorate compression system

developed for biogas bottling system in a village having due to corrosive property. A

60 m dayG capacity biogas plant. The system has There are many methods for

carbon dioxide (CO2) two components for removal i.e. absorption in water, absorption

using chemicals, pressure swing adsorption and membrane C. Removal of CO by

water scrubbing separation. Compression of purified biogas in cylinders However,

absorption of CO in water is simple, costeffective, eco-friendly and practical method

for The composition of biogas is assumed to have 60% CO removal from biogas in

rural areas. It is a continuous

methane and 40% carbon dioxide. Considering 75% plant process and

simultaneously removes H S also. This efficiency (account of seasonal and other

factors) the method is most popular in sewage sludge based biogas average gas

availability will be 48 m dayG . The energy plants in Czech Republic, France,

17

Sweden, New Zealand balance of the whole process. High purity biogas (> 95%

methane content) purification, the raw biogas is compressed at 1000 kPa can be

obtained using this technology. When biogas pressure and fed at bottom into a

scrubber having a is produced from cattle dung, hydrogen sulfide content packed bed

absorption column in which pressurized is usually less than one per cent. The

concentration of water (1200 kPa pressure) is sprayed from top in counter-hydrogen

sulfide more than this level should be removed current action. The scrubber is

designed to absorb the before use in engines. CO available 40% in raw biogas to 5%

in purified biogas, current direction through packing material.

Assumptions:

1.) Capacity of plant - 60 m dayG.

2.) Plant efficiency - 75%.

3.) Generated gas - 48 m dayG.

4.) Purified gas consumption in running dual fuel engine - 0.18 m /kW.

5.) Calorific value of purified biogas - 17 MJ mG.

6.) Gas capacity for 0.0215 m3 water capacity cylinder - 2.7 m.

7.) Gas flow rate for 8 hours of working in a day - 6 m hG r.

8.) Heat rate of raw gas - 125 MJ hG r.

9.) Total energy available in one day from biogas plant - 979 MJ

B. Energy required for purification:

1.) For pumping and pressurizing water at 1200 kPa 0.7 kW

2.) 2For pressurizing the gas at 1000 kPa. Energy required 0.5 kW

3.) Energy required @ 80% efficiency 0.7 kW

18

C. Energy required for compression:

1.) Energy required - 0.9 kW.

2.) Energy required at 80% efficiency - 1.1 kW

D. Total energy required per day (B+C) - 2.5 kW

E. Process plant energy (B+C) met by purified gas driven engine:

1.) Rated power of gas engine - 2.5 kW

2.) Purified gas consumption - 0.9 m hG

3.) Gas energy consumed dayG - 245 MJ

F. Net purified gas available for compression and storing in cylinders - 5.4 m hG

1.) Net heat rate available for storing in cylinder - 183.6 MJ hG

2.) Total purified gas per day - 21.6 m dayG.

3.) Net energy available in cylinders - 735 MJ

G. Estimation of cylinders filled with compressed gas:

1.) Total purified gas available at NTP - 21.6 m dayG

2.) Number of cylinders filled in one day - 4 cylinders

3.) Weight of gas in one filled cylinder - 3.5 kg

4.) Energy value per cylinder - 183.6 MJ

Capacities CNG cylinders

About 4 such cylinders will be Installation of Biogas bottling plant in the village will

filled per day with purified biogas. The energy generate employment for 2 people.

19

BIOGAS BASED POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

Biogas technology provides an alternative source of energy mainly from organic

wastes. It is produced when bacteria degrade organic matter in the absence of air.

Biogas contains around 55-65% of methane, 30-40% of carbon dioxide and small

quantities of hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen sulphide.

The calorific value of biogas is appreciably high (around 4700 kcla or 20 MJ: at

around 55% methane content). The gas can effectively be utilized for generation of

power through a biogasbased power- generation system after dewatering and

cleaning of the gas. In addition, the slurry produced in the process provides valuable

organic manure for farming.

Components of a BiogasBased Power Generation System (BPGS)

• BiogasPlants

• Gas Cleaning System

• Engine with alternator

• Control Panel

• Machine Room / Shed

• Manure management system / protocol

Biogas plants

Standard KVIC floating drum model (vertical or horizontal type) would be supported.

20

The

eligible item associated with a biogas plant includes:

• Digester, gas holder and accessories

• Feed / slurry handling system (composed pits) with water supply and storage

• Initial feed

• Gas outlet

Gas Cleaning System

The biogascontains hydrogen disulphide gas. Concentration of hydrogen disulphide in

access of 0.1 % is harmful to the engine. Hence it is necessary to remove hydrogen

sulphide

before the gas is taken to the engines.

Engine with alternator

• 100% biogasengines

• Micro-turbines

• Standard dual fuel engines preferably with bio-diesel in place of diesel.

Control I Monitoring Panel

BIS Standard control / monitoring panel would be supported.

Machine Room I Shed

A proper machine room with shed would be planned as per standard practices. The

biogas generated in the digester, if necessary can be stored in a suitable storage unit

or membrane type storage balloon.

21

Manure management system I protocol

Manure management is an integral part of a biogas based power generation system

for arriving at an economically feasible operation level. Marketing strategy of the

biogas slurry or the value added bio-manure is required to be defined.

22

BIOGAS ENRICHMENT & BOTTLING TECHNOLOGY

FOR VEHICULAR USE

Biogas is ideally suited for rural applications where required animal or human excreta

and agricultural waste are available in plenty. Harnessing such a resource promotes

rural industries, agriculture, dairy and animal farming in a sustainable way. This will

also increase employment in the rural regions and discourage migration to cities.

Biogasis an environment friendly, clean, cheap and versatile fuel. It is produced by

anaerobic digestion of degradable wastes such as cattle dung, vegetable wastes,

sheep and poultry droppings, municipal solid waste, sewage water, land fill etc.

Presently it is mainly used for cooking and lighting purposes in the rural areas. The

use of biogas in stationary

engines used for different agricultural operations is going on. Its utilization is also

easible in automobiles, used for transportation purposes by enriching and

compressing it in cylinders. Biogas can be converted in bio CNG after enrichment and

bottling. It becomes just like CNG.

Potential of the technology

So far, biogashas mostly been used as fuel for cooking and running stationary

engines.

However, its potential has not fully utilized, yet. There is a great enhancement in its

utilization potential particularly where bigger plants are in operation e.g. institutional

biogas plants in Goshalas, dairy farms or community biogas plants in villages.

Goshalas are running generally on charity basis and most of them are not in sound

financial position. Enrichment and bottling of biogas will help to improve it. India has a

vast potential of 6.38 X 10 10 cubic meter of biogasper annum from 980 million

tonnes of cattle dung produced. A National Project on Biogas Development (NPBD)

23

was launched by Government of India in 1981. A total of about 36.5 lakh family biogas

plants have been installed under this programme all over the country till Dec. 2004.

This is about 30 % of the total 120 lakh family type biogas plants potential. More than

3380 Community Biogas Plants (CBP), Institutional Biogas Plants (IBP) and Night-soil

based Biogas Plants (NBP) have been installed all over the country with most

reported satisfactory performance levels. The family biogas plants in the country are

estimated to be saving 39.6 lakh tonnes of fuel-wood per year. Besides, about 9.2

lakh tonnes of enriched organic manure are being produced every year from these

plants. There are a number of Goshalas, dairies, village communities having large

number of cattle which have potential of installing biogas enrichment and bottling

system. In urban areas, large quantity of biogas can be produced in sewage treatment

plants using anaerobic digestion. Okhala Sewage Treatment Plant, New Delhi, is an

example where more than 10,000 cubic meter of biogas is produced every day. Due

to rising cost of petroleum products and environmental concerns it has become

imperative to make use of local resources as an alternate to petroleum fuels.

Therefore, worldwide efforts to explore and make use of biogas as an alternate fuel in

vehicles should be made.

Biogas composition, properties and utilisation as CNG

Biogas comprises of 60-65% methane, 35-40 % carbon dioxide, 0.5-1.0 % hydrogen

sulfide and water vapour. It is almost 20% lighter than air. Like Liquefied Petroleum

Gas (LPG) it cannot be converted to liquid state under normal temperature. Removing

carbon dioxide and compressing it into cylinders makes it easily usable for transport

applications, say three wheelers, cars, pick up vans etc and also for stationary

applications. Already, CNG technology has become easily available and therefore,

bio-methane (enriched biogas) which is nearly same as CNG, can be used for all

24

applications for which CNG are used.

Biogas enrichment process

A variety of processes are available for enrichment i.e. removing CO2 , H2S and

water apour. Commonly CO2 removal processes also remove H2S. One of the

easiest and cheapest methods involved is the use of pressurized water as an

absorbent liquid. In this method, biogas is pressurized and fed to the bottom of a

scrubber column where water is sprayed from the top. In counter-currently operated

absorption process, the carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide present in the biogasis

absorbed in down going water and methane goes up and is collected in vessel.

However, water requirement in this process is high but it is the simplest method of

removing impurities from biogas.

25

PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE

THE PRODUCTION ON BIOGAS

In India biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of manure in small-scale

digestion facilities is called Gober gas; it is estimated that such facilities exist in over 2

million households.Owing to simplicity in implementation and use of cheap raw

materials in villages, it is one of the most environmentally sound energy sources for

rural needs. Some designs use vermiculture to further enhance the slurry produced by

the biogas plant for use as compost.

In an attempt to stem the projected deficit between production and consumption,

particularly for the increasing residential sector, which accounts for approximately

10% of total energy use, and provide for an expanding rural sector, the government is

pursuing alternative measures of energy provision. However, of particular interest

here, in the context of providing a devolved, sustainable energy supply for the

burgeoning rural sector in India, is the potential of biogas; the gas created as a

product of anaerobic digestion of organic materials.

The government views biogas technology as a vehicle to reduce rural poverty, and as

a tool in part of a wider drive for rural development. Alternative energy options are

promoted by The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which

operates under the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES). To

promote and disseminate information about biogas technology specifically, the

government has organised the National Project on Biogas Development nation-wide,

and several NGO's have been active in implementing the programme on the ground.

With this in mind, the government agencies involved in designing biogas plants have

26

attempted to create plants that could be maintained locally.

Currently, there are thought to be about 2.5 million household and community biogas

plants installed around India. Case studies from different parts of India will be

considered, from construction of biogas plants, to their long term functioning amongst

the communities they are designed to serve.

Since the 1960's, biogas systems have been implemented in India, but it was in 1981

with the beginning of the sixth 5-year Plan, and the formation of the National Project

for Biogas Development (NPBD), when the drive to step up dissemination was taken,

perhaps also reflecting the alarm of fuelwood shortages at the time.

Currently, there are thought to be about 2.5 million biogas plants installed around the

country, though the potential of large-scale implementation of biogas technology

remains unrealised. According to MNES, in 1991, the use of electricity for cooking,

which includes biogas, only accounted for about 2% and 3% for rural and urban areas

respectively, and sharply demonstrates the continued minority status of this

alternative fuel.

The Tata Research Institute, New Delhi, estimates that 12 million biogas systems in

total could be installed over the subcontinent, while GATE, an alternative energy NGO

based in Germany, estimates the total potential number of plants that could usefully

be employed to be 30 million household-size, and nearly 600,000 community-size

plants, one for each village. However, it is not clear on what data these estimates are

based on.

Nonetheless, there is still enormous potential for biogas technology, and the

government continues in its drive for more widespread implementation. However, for

biogas to be considered as a viable source of fuel, depends not only on an effective

dissemination programme, and extension, but also upon the success of existing

plants in the field. Although literature could not be found regarding the success rate of

27

the 2.5 million biogas plants installed to date, e.g., how many are fully operational,

which may be indicative of a lack of consequent monitoring, it would be instructive to

examine the implementation of biogas systems in rural India, to determine how the

technology has been received on the ground.

Implementation of biogas technology is overseen centrally by MNES, but actual

dissemination is devolved to the individual state governments, public corporations,

such as KVIC, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and also NGO's.

Although there will be differences between states, the general approach to

disseminate biogas technology is based on a system of subsidies and concessions, to

encourage uptake.

Subsidies are granted on plants upto 10m3 (a large family-sized system), and usually

for the models recognised by the government, as listed in table 2, though there may

be regional differences. Allowances are paid towards investment costs, to every user

and for every biogas plant that is installed, in what may be interpreted as a measure

of intent to promote biogas technology, and perhaps the most critical instrument in

determining initial uptake. The extent of the allowance is dependent on the size of

plant, socio-economic status of the user, and geographical region, according to rules

worked out by central government. India has been divided into three areas according

to altitude; the mountainous north-east is where the highest allowances are paid,

perhaps reflecting the commonly held notion that tribal communities are depleting

forests. Mountainous, or high altitude areas in other states form the second category,

and the remaining states make up the last category. Here, socio-economic status

largely determines the size of the allowance, with priorities for scheduled caste and

tribe, and smallholders. Landless and marginal farmers are entitled to higher

allowances than farmers not in the fore-mentioned groups who have more than five

hectares.

28

Subsidies certainly appear to have encouraged up take, and participation seems to be

high amongst target groups, such as marginal and smallholders. This can be

demonstrated in the size and type of digester opted for. Orissa, on the east coast, is

one of the poorest states in India, and characterised by smallholders of approximately

1.6 ha, less than the average of other states, and agriculture is the principal industry

in Orissa. Therefore, it is not surprising that of all the digesters, the most popular is

the smallest capacity fixed-dome Deenbandhu model, at 6m3, which accounts for

84% of all plants installed. Similarly, in Sangli, Maharashtra western India, where

there are 345,000 biogas digesters, more than any other state, the same Deenbandhu

model accounts for 85% of all systems constructed.

NationalBiogas and Manure Management programme (NBMMP)

The programme was started in 1981-82 as the National Project on

BiogasDevelopment. Its main objectives are:

To provide fuel for cooking purposes and organic manure to rural households through

family type biogas plants

To mitigate drudgery of rural women, reduce pressure on forests and accentuate

social benefits.

To improve sanitation in villages by linking sanitary toilets with biogas plants

The components of NBMMP include:

Indigenously developed models of biogas plants are promoted.

States have designated nodal departments and nodal agencies for implementation.

Besides, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Mumbai; National Dairy

Development Board, Anand (Gujarat), and national and regional level non-

governmental organisations are involved in implementation.

Project provides for different types of financial incentives including central subsidy to

29

users, turn key job fee to entrepreneurs, service charges to State Nodal Departments

/ Agencies and support for training and publicity.

Various kinds of training programmes are supported. Biogas Development and

Training Centres, functioning in nine major States, provide technical and training back

up to State Nodal Departments and Nodal Agencies.

Commercial and co-operative banks provide loan for setting up of biogas plants under

Agriculturally Priority Area. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

(NABARD) is providing the facility of automatic refinancing to banks.

Financial Incentives being given during the year 2004-2005 under NBMMP

Category Amount of Central subsidy per plant.

North Eastern Region States and Sikkim(except plain

areas of Assam)

Rs.11,700/-

For plain area of Assam Rs.9,000/-

Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal

(excluding terai region), Nilgiris of Tamilnadu; Sadar

Kursoongnd and Kalimpong, Sub-divisions

of Darjeeling district (West Bengal), Sunderbans,

Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Rs.4,500/-

(Restricted to Rs 3,500/- for 1 Cu. M

fixed dome type)

Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, desert districts,

small and marginal farmers, land-less labourers, terai

regions of Uttaranchal, Western Ghats and

other notified hilly areas

Rs.3,500/-

(Restricted to Rs 2,800/- for 1 Cu. M

fixed dome type)

All Others Rs.2,700/-

(Restricted to Rs 2,100/- for 1 Cu. M

fixed dome type)

30

THE BIOGASPROGRAMME OF GRAM VIKAS

Gram Vikas is a secular, non-profit voluntary organization working in Orissa with the

needy and weaker sections of society, to facilitate their development. It engages in

activities aimed at improving the living conditions and the economic standards of the

poorest of the poor, particularly tribals, scheduled castes, small and marginal farmers,

landless and agricultural labourers. The main emphasis of Gram Vikas work is

organising people to become aware of their existential condition, so that they take

their destinies into their own hands and work to improve their lives. Full participation

of the people is an essential part of such development activities to ensure sustenance

of the programme and Gram Vikas withdraws as the people develop. Gram Vikas is

also committed to the development and promotion of alternative and more efficient

energy source in rural areas. It is governed by a board of outstanding persons with

background in law, journalism, social work and trade unionism and is staffed by a

team of young, committed and able professionals. Gram Vikas’ work is divided into

two main programmes. The first is an intensive integrated development programme

involving the Khond tribals of the Kerandimal hills in southern Ganjam district. The

second stream of Gram Vikas’work is a programme promoting energy alternatives.

Operating in backward areas throughout Orissa. Part of the work in this area is the

promotion of smokeless Chullahs, which are traditional wood burning stoves. In

villages all over Orissa, Over 2000 Chullahs have been built and 2,20 people trained

in building them. The other thrust of the alternate energy stream is the Biogas

programme, now operating in nine districts of Orissa. So when the governmentstarted

the National BiogasExtension Programme, Gram Vikas decided to join in the effort.

Gram Vikas has adopted a broad-based strategy for it biogas programme, the spread

31

of which seen in the various aspects of the programme:

• Construction of family size plants

• Construction of night soil plants

• Construction of institutional plants

• Construction of large size village community plants

• Training of biogasengineers, technicians and managers

• Training of biogasmasons and promoters

• Training of housewives in the use of biogas

• Training of farmers in the use of spent slurry

• Practical research and experimentation with different type of plants in varied

conditions

and with varied biomass input.

In terms of geographical spread, the work which was originally proposed for to 5

districts spread to all 13 districts, later withdrew to nine districts and within these

districts to the locks with a concentration of tribal population. The districts now

covered are Kalanhandi, Bolangir, Koraput, Phulbani, Ganjam, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj,

Sundergarh and Sambalpur. This includes the relatively remote and poorly connected

regions of western Orissa. To undertake this work, a staff of 157 persons has been

built up, consisting of 120 supervisors, 9 plumbers, 9 office assistants, 12assistant

coordinators, 3 zonal coordinators and 5 support staff at the Gram Vikas head office.

This team has gained considerable experience in both the technical and

organizational aspects of the biogasprogramme. The need now is to restructure the

organization to adjust to changing needs, to consolidate the experience gained, and

to give continuity to the organisation and work. Gram Vikas personnel do not handle

any of the cash that is spent on the plants, the dealings are directly between the

32

beneficiary and the other parties. This is to increase the involvement of the beneficiary

in the whole process so as to increase his commitment to the plant and is compatible

with the role Gram Vikas wishes to adopt, that of a facilitator and not a contractor. At

the present time, the effort needed to convince a potential user of biogas about the

benefits involved is considerable. The supervisor may need in some cases, to make

five or six visits before a person decides he wants a biogas plant. Several more are

required to facilitate the purchase of materials, etc. Consequently the expenditure in

man-hours and time is very high when considered on a per plant basis. This is in stark

contrast to some of the forward states where people queue up to have plants built,

and the implementing organization’s role is restricted to certification and inspection.

The government of India offers a turnkey fee of Rs.300/- to the implementing

organization irrespective of the size of the plant or the particulars of the beneficiary.

The amount is uniform all over India. This fee is intended to finance turnkey

operations for plant construction and also includes two year maintenance and

guarantee clauses. This fee, taking into account the areas where Gram Vikas

operates, is woefully inadequate. A general restructuring of the organisation is

planned, with people being moved from construction to maintenance from the third

year onwards, so that after five years of the

programme, the emphasis will shift to maintenance of the plants already built. With

several thousand more plants being built each year, the awareness and acceptance

of biogas is expected to rise over the years. The expectation is that, in five years time

it will be possible for independent turnkey operators to build plants financed by the

turnkey fee alone. The large pool of skilled and experienced personnel that will have

been built up will be able to work independently or with other voluntary organizations,

to promote biogas all over the state. A technological development anticipated is that

of plants operating on any biomass, including vegetation. This will widen the class of

33

potential users to include people not owning cattle. Gram Vikas would promote such

plants in a major way, and the experience gained by personnel in this programme

could be put to use to promote the new technology. The personnel will have gained

considerable field experience in motivation, training and other allied skills and will be

an invaluable resource for any challenging area of developmental activity into which

Gram Vikas will move.

BIOGAS BASED POWER GENERATION PROGRAMME

Biogas based power units can be a reliable decentralized power generation option in

the country. In order to promote this route of power generation, specially in the small

capacity range, based on the availability of large quantity of annual wastes and

wastes from forestry, rural based industries (agro/food processing), kitchen wastes,

etc; a number of projects of different capacities and applications will be taken up for

refining the technical know-how, developing manpower and necessary infrastructure,

establishing a proper arrangement of operation & maintenance and large scale

dissemination. The projects to be taken up by any village level organization,

institution, private entrepreneurs etc. in rural areas as well as areas covered under the

Remote Village Electrification (RVE) programme of MNRE other than the industries

and commercial establishments covered under Urban, Industrial & Commercial

Applications (UICA) programmes for sale of electricity to individual/community/grid

etc. on mutually agreeable terms. The implementing organizations must ensure that

sufficient feed materials for biogas plants are available on sustainable basis and the

beneficiary organization gives an undertaking that the plant would be maintained and

operated for a minimum period of ten years. The details of the scheme for projects

related to Biogas based Power Generation Programme are given in. The central

34

financial assistance for such projects will be limited to a maximum of Rs.30000 to

40000 per kW depending upon capacity of the power generating projects in the range

of 3 KW to 250 kW limited to 40% of the plant cost. The details of Central Financial

assistance provided are given at The programme provides support for a variety of

workshops, seminars, meetings, training programmers to the implementing

agencies/specialized organizations/ Biogas Development & Training Centers (BDTCs)

for developing the required specifications and standards, discussions/deliberations on

the performance of systems, setting up operation and maintenance mechanism,

training of required manpower, capacity building, business meets for the prospective

industries, etc. with the ultimate objective of promotion of power generation based on

biogasin the country.

The quantum of financial assistance to be provided by Ministry of New and

Renewable Energy (MNRE ) for conducting these programmers will be decided on the

basis of nature & duration of the programme, number of participants, etc. The

maximum assistance, however, is limited to Rs.100,000 per event.

BIOGAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Government of Madhya Pradesh has appointed as Nodal Agency for the

development of biogas programme in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

The Corporation has so far installed 1,72,064 family type biogas plants against the

estimated potential of 14,91,000 plants in the State. In view of the potential exists, the

Corporation has made a quantum jump in the installation of biogas plants, i..e. about

8600 plants per year

OBJECTIVES:

Objectives of Biogas Development Programme are follows:-

35

1. To provide fuel for cooking purpose and organic manure to rural households

through biogas plants;

2. To mitigate drudgery of rural women, reduce pressure on forest and accentuate

social benefits;

3. To recycle human waste through linking of toilets with biogas plants for improving

sanitation.

A total of 151070 family type biogas plants have been installed in the State against

the estimated potential of 14,91,200 biogas plants. Thus the coverage of potential

achieved so far is about 10%.

Till the year 85-86, 20133 biogas plants were installed in the State and from the year

85-86 till 97-98, 106767 plants have been installed by this Corporation.

The cost of biogas plants varies according to model and retention period, capacity,

market prices of construction materials and labour cost. On an average, estimated

cost of a common 2 cubic meter capacity family type Fixed Dome Deenbandhu

Biogas Plant is about Rs. 8,500/-.

CENTRAL SUBSIDY TOTAL SUBSIDY

PAYABLE TO

BENEFICIARIES

S.NO CAPA-

CITY

SC/ST SMF/LL GEN. SC/ST SMF/LL GEN.

1 1 CUM 2300 2300 1800 2300 2300 2000

36

2 2 CUM 2300 2300 1800 3000 3000 2200

3 3 CUM 2300 2300 1800 3300 2300 2400

4 4 TO

10CUM

2300 2300 1800 3300 2300 2400

An additional subsidy of Rs. 500/- is provided for cattle dung based biogas plants

linked with sanitary toilets.1.5 PROGRAMME FOR 2004-05 Target of 12,000 biogas

plants has been fixed by MNES for this State.

CONCLUSION

Biogasis a potential renewable energy source for rural Pakistan. Biogas generation

and subsequent bottling will cater the energy needs of rural industries in 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 in rural areas and income of the people

through setting of rural industries. The model bottling plant could save 240 liters diesel

per day. It should be replicated at mass scale for the development of villages.

LBG will definitely make a good alternative fuel, if produced and used wisely. Sooner

or later, we have to find an alternative way to petroleum. The growing dependence of

petroleum is necessary to be contained otherwise our future generations will just find

it in mere books and other scraps! If the government sponsored and supports the

activities related to development and research on LBG and Biogas, the scientists and

people will surely praise this effort. The growing population also leads to growing

37

Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Remove

Access|Powered By Google Sites

traffic, and hence, running vehicles on LBG will be in great demand in the future, as

people will have to look for another thing than petrol and diesels, whose prices are

already sky-high.

Producing LBG may be a difficulty in the beginning, but later, as no other source

would have been left, we would have to use it. The government must support all

activities related to production of Biogas and LBG, so that people are relieved in this

modernized and globalized world of inflation. The inflation rate is already too high.

Moreover, the sector will also provide employment to people. Cost of LBG cylinders

may be high than LPG in the beginning, but as the demand will increase, rate of

productivity will also increase, and hence, the rates may go down. Compressing

biogas and filling it in cylinders, just like LPG, must be tried, and if it’s successful,

must be put into practice on a large scale. Last but not least,

“LET’S MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN!”