Turn Waste Into Wonders

Biogas is a gas produced by anaerobic digestion of organic matter. Biogas is produced when waste such as sewage waste, kitchen waste, agricultural waste is treated.

Design of biogas plants

Various designs of biohazard plant are used in different places. Biohazard plant design can be basically divided into categories according to the scale for which it is being built. These can be-

1. Small scale plant design - for domestic and household purposes.

2. Community plant design - village sized or even complexed designs

3. Large scale plant design - for large scale agricultural or commercial use.

The basic purpose of biogas plant is to convert waste into biogas. Biogas plant design must utilize latest technologies and use appropriate tools. Biogas plant design can be customized according to the needs of the user. It must be economically viable. It must comply with various Norms that are provided by regulatory authorities. Designs are mostly based on two concepts -

1- Floating Drum biogas plant

2- Underground Dome plant

In order to design a biogas plant it is needed that those biogas requirements are known. This will make sure that gas is produced continuously without interruption.

Raw material required also is important for customizing biogas plant design.

Digester is designed from masonry in a hole in the ground. A bacterium is used to decompose the waste material to convert it into methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen. A gas holder holds the gas after it leaves the digester. It is thus influenced by the digester ‘design. In the slurry mixing tank water is mixed with water and fed to the digester. The outlet tank takes the slurry to the field or slurry pit.

Advantages of a biogas

Biogas advantages are many. It is beneficial for the environment since any biodegradable waste can be used. Biogas plants lower the methane emissions as it traps the harmful gases. Then it is used as fuel. Water borne diseases are also reduced. 

Role of biogas in today's time has gained a lot of significance.

- Biogas can help reduce cost of cooking fuel significantly. It helps replace firewood, charcoal and kerosene.

-Cooking using biogas is much easy and fast. It does not take much time to heat up the biogas stove.

-Biogas is easy and clean. It protects from the danger of indoor air pollution.

-Biogas converts household waste or manure into gas for cooking and lighting. Thus it advantages include waste management. This helps in maintaining hygiene.

-Biogas helps to reduce use of firewood thus reduces deforestation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This is because biogas is a renewable source of energy. This has positive effect on climate and environment. It is non-polluting.

Other biogas advantages include

- It helps in creating jobs at rural level.

- Use of biogas protects women and children from exposure to smoke in kiiand thus help improve health conditions.

- Use of biogas can even replace chemical fertilizer.

- It can serve as decentralized source of power generation.

- Technology is cheaper and simpler than other bio fuels.