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What is Biogas? How is it made?
Biogas consists mainly of a naturally produced gas called Methane but also contains Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulphide and Hydrogen Gas. Biogas is produced as a product of the decomposition process. When any type of organic waste (e.g. Manure, Vegetable Waste, Fats, Dead Plants) are kept in anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), bacteria that thrive in these conditions break the waste down. This process results in the production of Biogas and a solid slurry that can be used as an organic fertilizer.
Therefore, the principle of a Biogas digester is to replicate these anaerobic conditions and create a vessel that can continuously produce Biogas. Biogas is versatile as it can be used as a cooking fuel and can also be used for heating and electricity (which the Empower Project aims to do).
Therefore, the principle of a Biogas digester is to replicate these anaerobic conditions and create a vessel that can continuously produce Biogas. Biogas is versatile as it can be used as a cooking fuel and can also be used for heating and electricity (which the Empower Project aims to do).
What is a Biogas Digester? What does it look like?
Most modern Biogas Digesters allow for waste to be continually fed and range from being specific with regard to the waste input (grass, rice paddy) to being versatile (human waste, animal waste, plant matter, oils). Different types of waste produce different ammounts of Biogas upon decomposition. The community needs to be trained on how to maintain the right levels of waste to produce the required capacity of biogas for electricity generation. The actual structure is a simple sealed vessel (often concrete) as illustrated above. The main bit of maintenance requires the built up slurry/sludge to be removed (typically after 6 months to a year). This as mentioned, is a good organic fertilizer.
Electricity?
The Biogas that is produced from this digester is collected and sent to a generator. These generators are often commercially available and run on fuels such as Diesel, Kerosene and Petrol. Relatively simple modification can allow an Electricity Generator to run on Biogas instead.
Electricity?
The Biogas that is produced from this digester is collected and sent to a generator. These generators are often commercially available and run on fuels such as Diesel, Kerosene and Petrol. Relatively simple modification can allow an Electricity Generator to run on Biogas instead.
So why Biogas?
There are numerous advantages to using Biogas as a source of energy. Reliance on depleting fossil fuels contributes to Global Warming. As an alternative to these depleting, damaging sources of energy, we are forced to shift towards renewable, sustainable sources that have a limited effect on the earth and its atmosphere.
Wind and Solar Power are also viable renewable energy sources. However they are expensive to set up in most rural communities and require specific conditions. Biogas in comparisson, is cheaper and more versatile. The temperatures in tropical countries are ideal for faster anaerobic digestion.
Furthermore, Biogas production is carbon neutral. Only a comparatively small amount of Carbon Dioxide is produced as a result of digestion and this can be easily absorbed by surrounding trees and foliage. The waste sludge can be used as fertilizer.
In fact the production of biogas utilizes waste that would otherwise pollute the surroundings and add to the Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere by decomposing under normal conditions.
Finally, the Empower project seeks to create employment and communal trade in relation to how the digester is fed (farmers supplying waste, people maintaining the digester and generator).
Shanil
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