Environmental Sciences

#Assignment1

#Biogas Project

Assignment submitted to; Ma’am Fozia Aslam

Submitted by:
Zia Ur Rehman Abbasi
Roll no; IFE18818
Section-A

Department Of English Language & Literature

 Introduction;
Biogas is considered as the type of biofuel that is usually produced from the decomposition of organic wastes such
as animal wastes, food scraps in an aerobic environment. As a result of this decomposition methane and carbon
dioxide gases are produced and this decomposition happens in the anaerobic exercise environment so this process is
also known as the anaerobic digestion. According to the experts’ anaerobic form of converting wastes into energy
form and all this is carried out due to the process of fermentation. Methane is the major gas in biogas that
constitutes about 50% to 80% of the biogas so that can be flammable because of its capacity to form blue flames
thus this becomes the important source of energy.

Structure of Biogas plant;

Biogas plant is a dome like structure that is made up from the bricks and cements similarly there are following
components;

 Mixing tank
 Digester
 Inlet chamber tank
 Overflow tank
 Outlet chamber tank

Mixing tank is usually present above the ground level while mixing tank usually opens into the inlet chamber. This
inlet chamber opens from below into the digester which is usually a huge tank that has dome like ceiling. The
digester’s ceiling has an outlet with a supply valve for supply of biogas and then this digester opens into the outlet
chamber which is directed towards the small overflow tank.

Working of Biogas plant;

Organic input materials such as foodstuff or sludge is usually fed into biogas plant as a substrate and renewable
sources such as beets, corn or grass can serve to feed microorganisms in biogas plant. In addition to these things
manure and dung is also usually fed into the biogas plant. Then all of these things are heated in the fermenter that is
heated approximately to 38 degree to 40 degrees. The substrate in the biogas plant is decomposed by the
microorganisms while light and oxygen is usually excluded from the fermenter. Then the final product of the
fermentation that is methane is produced after the transformation of biomass waste.
Anaerobic digestions processes are divided into two major families;

 Wet digestion
 Dry digestion

First of all let’s discuss wet digestion;

Wet digestion;

Wet digestion is considered to be the process in which the content of the digester is pump able or in other words the
content is 10% dry matter or less.

Dry digestion;

Dry digestion is considered to be the process in which the content of the digester in not pump able or in other words
the content of the digester is approximately 10% dry matter or not.

Production of biogas;

Biogas plant has large digester tanks that are covered with flexible plastic membrane that collects the
biogas until it is utilized. Smaller tanks store feed materials and pumps move it around according to
requirements. Biogas is produced with the help of methanogens and sulfate reducing bacteria by
performing the anaerobic respiration. There are two ways to get biogas; one is natural and other is
industrial method of production;

In natural method we usually deal with the methane in the soil that is usually produced in anaerobic zones
by the help of methanogens but consumed in aerobic zones by methanotrophs. When the balance favors
the methanogens then methane is usually emitted similarly wetland soils are also the soil of methane.
Similarly oceans, termites, forest soils and wild ruminants are also important sources of methane.
Industrial production of biogas is usually due to the purpose of collection of biomethane for the fuel
generation. Industrial biogas is produced either through the breakdown of biodegradable waste inside
landfill is due to the chemical reaction of microbes while it can also be produced when the digested gas
produced inside an anaerobic digester. There are two key processes that happen in the production of
biogas; one is mesophilic and other is thermophilic digestion.

Drawbacks of biogas productions;

1. The air pollution produced by the biogas is considered as up to same extent as pollution produced
by burning of natural gas; similarly presence of toxic hydrogen sulfide is dangerous and that can
cause serious accidents.
2. Leakage of the unburned methane also poses serious threats as this is one of potent greenhouse
gases.
3. Biogas can be explosive in certain conditions so they require specific precautions that should be
followed before any maintenance work.
4. Technology is not so efficient in now days that can reduce the risk factors so that can make the
process costly as well as risky.
5. Biogas production can be affected by the weather conditions similarly bacteria also need certain
specific environment for working.
6. It is less suitable for the dense metropolitan areas.
7. Biogas can contain certain impurities as well so that can be risky as well as dangerous for human
beings.

Benefits of Biogas production;

1. Biogas is also among the renewable sources of energy like wind and solar energy that can reduce
our reliance on fossil fuels.
2. Biogas production plays an important role in reducing the water and soil pollution and anaerobic
digestion deactivates the pathogens and parasites thus they are helpful for the reducing the
chances of water borne diseases.
3. Due to the proper waste collection and its management the biogas plants prevent health problems
as well as biodiversity loss.
4. Biogas is not only important source of energy for home but it is also a source if organic natural
fertilizers.
5. It is one affordable way to produce energy source that is creating millions of jobs all around the
world as well.
Conclusion;

Biogas is one of most important renewable sources of energy that can be helpful in many ways
however due to the lack of proper advancement in technologies in this field this can pose serious
threats as well. It can contain certain impurities and toxic things that can be dangerous in many ways
however on the other side it is one of affordable ways of energy generation as well as fertilizers
production.