CHAPTER.

1.0 BIOGAS PLANT

1.1 INTRODUCTION
A biogas plant is where Biogas is produced by
fermenting biomass. The substrate used for the
production of this methane-containing gas usually
consists of energy crops such as corn, or waste
materials such as manure or food waste. The
fermentation residue left over from the substrates at
the end of the process can be used as fertilizer.
The biogas is
produced by the microbacterial decomposition of the
substrate in an oxygen-free environment, i.e. under
anaerobic conditions. To do this, the substrate is
pumped into the fermenters. The substrate is stored
here under anaerobic conditions and is periodically
shifted by agitators to avoid the formation of surface
scum and sinking layers. This also allows the biogas to
rise more easily. Unlike in the decomposition of biomass
under aerobic conditions (for example, composting),

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under anaerobic conditions the microbacterial
organisms can only use a small part of 1 the energy
contained. The anaerobically non-usable energy is
contained in the “waste product” of biogas in the form
of biomethane.
Before being fed into the gas
grid, this crude biogas from the biogas plant still has
to be processed in a processing plant to attain natural
gas quality, which means that substances such as
carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen and sulfur are
filtered out. To do this, it is desulfurized by an
ironcontaining filter material, or its sulfur content is
released by the addition of oxygen. In a final step the
gas is dehumidified and can then be used to generate
electricity and heat, which is why many biogas plants
have combined heat and power units (CHP). The
purified biogas can also be fed into the gas grid and
transported to points of consumption. A meter
measures how much “green gas” was fed in. In this
way, besides being piped to industrial customers,
biogas can also be made available to bio-CNG
dispensers at service stations for natural gas vehicles.

One key differentiator of biogas plants is their mode

of operation. Depending on the substrate, the
fermentation process is wet or dry. For substrates

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such as manure with a high liquid content, wet
fermentation is always used. Dry or solid-state
fermentation is used for stackable organic biomass
such as municipal biowaste.

FIG.1.a

A distinction can also be made between agricultural

and industrial biogas plants. The input material is the
decisive factor. Industrial biogas plants mainly use
residual and waste materials in accordance with the
German “Biowaste Ordinance (Bioabfallverordnung).”
The operation of these plants is subject to more

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stringent requirements than that of “NAWARO”
biogas plants, which mainly ferment energy plants.

CHAPTER.2
2.0 USES OF BIOGAS

2.1 VARIOUS POINTS:-

• It is commonly used in rural areas as cooking gas.
• It can be used for the production of electricity.
• It can be used in instruments used for water
heating, space (room) heating etc.
• It can replace compressed natural gas for use in
vehicles.
• It can displace carbon dioxide in on-site CHP
plants.
• It is being used in the transport. For example,
‘Amanda Biogas Train’ runs on biogas in Sweden.
• Production of biogas produced a very useful dry
solid byproduct which is used as manure.

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 • It is used in many states for street lighting purposes.

• It can be used in hydrogen fuel cells as well.

CHAPTER.3

3.0 COMPOSITION OF BIOGAS

3.1 INTRODUCTION:-
Composition of biogas may vary according to the
substrate used and conditions available for anaerobic
decomposition of substrate. It contains methane,
carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide
and oxygen. Typical composition of biogas with
percentage of its constituent gases can be written as
follows –

Gases Formula Percentage present

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Methane CH4 50-70

Carbon dioxide CO2 25-50

Nitrogen N2 0-9

Hydrogen H2 0-1

Hydrogen 0.1-0.5
sulfide
H2S

Oxygen O2 0-0.5

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Apart from these gases we find water vapor also
in biogas. The amount of water vapor depends on
temperature, moisture present in the substrate
mixture.
3.2 Following contaminants also in the mixture of
biogases –

1.Sulfur Compounds –
If sulfur compounds are
present in the biogas then combustion of biogas
produces sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid which are
corrosive and environmentally hazardous.

2.Ammonia –
If ammonia is present in biogas then
combustion of biogas produces nitrogen oxides
also which are environmentally hazardous and
toxic in nature.
3.Siloxanes –
Siloxanes are compounds of silicon.
Sometimes siloxanes are present in the biogas
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which on combustion produces silicon and silicon
combines with oxygen produces oxides of silicon.
Oxides of silicon are not good for health.

CHAPTER.4

4.0 PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS

FIG.4.a

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4.1 INTRODUCTION:-
Production of biogas has been done
since ages. It is very old method of producing fuel and
manure using mainly agricultural waste and cow dung. It is
done by the reaction of microorganisms such
methanogens (archaeans) and eubacteria. Production of
biogas basically is the fermentation of biomass which is
done anaerobically in presence of moisture.
It is generally produced at the small scale in rural areas
where agricultural is the main profession. An anaerobic
digester that treats cow dung and other agricultural waste
is called biogas plant. It is generally made up of brick and
cement.

4.2 Typically, it has following parts –

• Mixing tank

• Inlet chamber

• Digester

• Outlet chamber

• Overflow tank

1.Mixing tank –

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 It is a medium size tank made up of brick and
cement at a height. In this tank cow dung, agricultural
waste and other biomass is collected and mixed with
water.

2.Inlet chamber –
It is a larger size tank than mixing tank. It is
also made up of brick and cement. It connects mixing tank
to digester.
3.Digester - It is the largest chamber of biogas plant
where the process of anerobic fermentation takes place. It
has a valve on the top from where the produced biogas is
released according to the requirement.
4.Outlet Chamber –
It is linked to digester. It collects slurry
and manure after fermentation.

4.3 Working of biogas plant:-

Cow dung, dead plants,
agricultural waste, food waste etc. various forms of
biomass are mixed with an equal amount of water in the
mixing chamber or tank. This mixture is called slurry. Now
this slurry is moved into the digester through inlet
chamber. When digester almost half filled with slurry, the
introduction of slurry is stopped. Digester is closed and
oxygen is prevented from entering the digester to let
fermentation process take place actively. pH level in

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digester should be neutral or seven while temperature
should be 30-35 for maximum yield.
Now the plant is left
unused for about 2 months. During these two months
anaerobic decomposition of organic matter or
fermentation takes place. Eubacteria convert organic
material into organic acids, alcohols, acetate, carbon
dioxide and hydrogen gas. Archaeans produces methane
by using acetate or carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas.

CHAPTER.5
5.0 TYPES OF BIOGAS PLANTS

There are two types of biogas plants in usage

for the production of biogas. These
are:
• The fixed- dome type of biogas plant

• The floating gas holder type of biogas plant

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5.1 FIXED DOME TYPE OF BIOGAS PLANT
A fixed-dome plant consists of a digester with a fixed,
non movable gas holder, which sits on top of the digester.
When gas production starts, the slurry is displaced into the
compensation tank.
Gas pressure increases with the volume of gas
stored and the height difference between the slurry level
in the digester and the slurry level in the compensation
tank. The costs of a fixed-dome biogas plant are relatively
low. It is simple as no moving parts exist. There are also no
rusting steel parts and hence a long life of the plant (20
years or more) can be expected.

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 FIG.5.a

5.1.1 Working of Fixed Dome type Biogas

Plant:-
• The various forms of biomass are mixed with an equal
quantity of water in the mixing tank. This forms the
slurry. The slurry is fed into the digester through the
inlet chamber.

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• When the digester is partially filled with the slurry, the
introduction of slurry is stopped and the plant is left
unused for about two months.
• During these two months, anaerobic bacteria present
in the slurry decomposes or ferments the biomass in
the presence of water.

• As a result of anaerobic fermentation, biogas is

formed, which starts collecting in the dome of the
digester.

• As more and more biogas starts collecting, the

pressure exerted by the biogas forces the spent slurry
into the outlet chamber.

• From the outlet chamber, the spent slurry overflows

into the overflow tank. The spent slurry is manually
removed from the overflow tank and used as manure
for plants.

• The gas valve connected to a system of pipelines is

opened when a supply of biogas is required.

• To obtain a continuous supply of biogas, a functioning

plant can be fed continuously with the prepared

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 slurry.

5.2 FLOATING GAS HOLDER TYPE BIOGAS

PLANT:-

FIG.5.b

5.2.1 Working of fixed dome type biogas

plant:-
• Slurry (mixture of equal quantities of biomass and
water) is prepared in the mixing tank.

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• The prepared slurry is fed into the inlet chamber of
the digester through the inlet pipe.

• The plant is left unused for about two months and

• Introduction of more slurry is stopped.

• During this period, anaerobic fermentation of biomass

takes place in the presence of water and produces
biogas in the digester.

• Biogas being lighter rises up and starts collecting in

the gas holder. The gas holder now starts moving up.

• The gas holder cannot rise up beyond a certain level.

As more and more gas starts collecting, more pressure
begins to be exerted on the slurry.

• The spent slurry is now forced into the outlet chamber

from the top of the inlet chamber.

• When the outlet chamber gets filled with the spent

slurry, the excess is forced out through the outlet pipe
into the overflow tank. This is later used as manure
for plants.

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• The gas valve of the gas outlet is opened to get a
supply of biogas.

• Once the production of biogas begins, a continuous

supply of gas can be ensured by regular removal of
spent slurry and introduction of fresh slurry.

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 CHAPTER.6
6.0 ADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS

6.1 Following are the advantages of

biogas:-

Biogas don’t pollute the environment. Thus, it is

eco-friendly fuel.

• It is renewable source of energy.

• It reduces soil, water and air pollution.

• It produces organic manure as byproduct.

• As it is a low-cost method to produce energy, so it is

economically friendly as well.

• It encourages circular economy and beneficial for

all classes.

• It is a healthy cooking alternative specially for

developing countries.

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 CHAPTER.7

7.0 DISADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS

7.1 VARIOUS POINTS:-

• The biogas industry is not yet advanced. Additional
research is needed to develop new technology and
make production efficient.

• Also, governments provide more support on

established energy sources such as solar, geothermal,
wind, and hydropower.

• Like other intermittent energy sources (solar, wind),

biogas production is also affected by the weather.

• Anaerobic digestion happens in an environment with a

temperature of 37°C. Heat energy is required in cold
climates to produce biogas continually.

• Biogas plant emits foul odor from the wastes they

process. Power plants should be built in a location
away from residences and other industrial areas.

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 CHAPTER.8

8.0 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

8.1 DEVELOPMENTS:-
• With the many benefits of biogas, it is starting to
become a popular source of energy and is starting to
be used in the United States more.

• On 5 October 2010, biogas was injected into the UK

gas grid for the first time.

• As of September 2013, there are about 130 non

sewage biogas plants in the UK.

• Germany is Europe's biggest biogas producer and the

market leader in biogas technology.

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 • To create awareness and associate the people
interested in biogas, the Indian Biogas Association was
formed.

• India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy offers

some subsidy per model constructed.

CHAPTERE.9

9.0 OBSERVATION

Biogas typically refers to a mixture of

different gases produced by the breakdown
of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.
Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as
agricultural waste, manure , etc .
Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as
agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant
material, sewage, green waste or food waste.
Biogas is a renewable energy source. It can also be used
in a gas engine to convert the energy in the gas into
electricity and heat.

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 RESULT
Given that methane is nearly 21 times more
effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than
carbon dioxide, biogas combustion results in a net
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, biogas production on farms can
reduce the odours, insects, and pathogens
associated with traditional manure stockpiles.
BIBLIOGRAPHGY
I DIPENDRAPRATAP SINGH of B.Tech
in Civil Engineering have done this
project with the help of my friends,
seniors and class coordinator.

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I used :-
Notepad Internet explorer
Site: www.biogasplant.com Site:
www.biogasplantwikipedia.com Text
book of 10th class.
Chrome browser
For finalizing this project.

Thank you…..

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