BIOGAS PLANT

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), under anaerobic
conditions the microbacterial organisms can only use a small part of the energy contained. The
anaerobically non-usable energy is contained in the “waste product” of biogas in the form of
biomethane.

TYPES OF BIOGAS PLANT

Basically there are two types of biogas pant primarily used. They are :

1. FIXED DOME TYPE BIOGAS PLANT

2. FLOATING GAS HOLDER TYPE BIOGAS PLANT
3. BALLOON PLANTS

FIXED DOME TYPE BIOGAS PLANT

A fixed-dome plant consists of an enclosed digester with a fixed, non-movable gas space.The
gas is stored in the upper part of the digester. When gas production commences, the slurry is
displaced into the compensating tank. Gas pressure increases with the volume of gas
stored,therefore the volume of the digester should not exceed 20 m³. If there is little gas in the
holder, the gas pressure is low. 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. The plant is constructed underground, protecting it from
physical damage and saving space. While the underground digester is protected from low
temperatures at night and during cold seasons, sunshine and warm seasons take longer to heat up
the digester. No day/night fluctuations of temperature in the digester positively influence the
bacteriological processes. The construction of fixed dome plants is labor-intensive, thus creating
local employment. Fixed-dome plants are not easy to build. They should only be built where
construction can be supervised by experienced biogas technicians. Otherwise plants may not be
gas-tight (porosity and cracks).
If the gas is required at constant pressure (e.g., for engines), a gas pressure regulator or a floating
gasholder is required. Engines require a great deal of gas, and hence large gasholders. The gas
pressure then becomes too high if there is no floating gasholder.

Function

A fixed-dome plant comprises of a closed, dome-shaped digester with an immovable, rigid gas-
holder and a displacement pit, also named 'compensation tank'. The gas is stored in the upper
part of the digester. When gas production commences, the slurry is displaced into the
compensating tank. Gas pressure increases with the volume of gas stored, i.e. with the height
difference between the two slurry levels. If there is little gas in the gas-holder, the gas pressure is
low.

Advantages:
Low construction cost, no moving parts, no rusting steel parts, hence long life (20 years or
more),underground construction, affording protection from winter cold and saving space, creates
employment locally.

Disadvantages:
Plants often not gaslight (porosity and cracks), gas pressure fluctuates substantially and is often
very high, low digester temperatures. Fixed-dome plants can be recommended only where
construction can be supervised by experienced biogas technicians.
Fixed dome plant Nicarao design: 1.Mixing tank with inlet pipe and sand trap. 2.Digester.
3.Compensation and removal tank. 4.Gasholder. 5.Gaspipe. 6.Entry hatch, with gastight seal.
7.Accumulation of thick sludge. 8.Outlet pipe. 9.Reference level. 10.Supernatant scum, broken
up by varying level.

FLOATING GAS HOLDER TYPE BIOGAS PLANT

Floating-drum plants consist of a digester and a moving gasholder. The gasholder floats
either direct on the fermentation slurry or in a water jacket of its own. The gas collects in the gas
drum, which thereby rises. If gas is drawn off, it falls again. The gas drum is prevented from
tilting by a guide frame.

Advantages:
Simple, easily understood operation, constant gas pressure, volume of stored gas visible directly,
few mistakes in construction.

Disadvantages:
High construction cost of floating-drum, many steel parts liable to corrosion, resulting in short
life (up to 15 years; in tropical coastal regions about five years for the drum), regular
maintenance costs due to painting. In spite of these disadvantages, floating-drum plants are
always to be recommended in cases of doubt. Water-jacket plants are universally applicable and
especially easy to maintain. The drum won't stick, even if the substrate has a high solids content.
Floating-drums made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic and highdensity polyethylene have been
used successfully, but the construction cost is higher than with steel. Floating-drums made
ofwire-mesh-reinforced concrete are liable to hairline cracking and are intrinsically porous. They
require a gaslight, elastic internal coating. PVC drums are unsuitable because not resistant to
UV. The floating gas drum can be replaced by a balloon above the digester. This reduces
construction costs (channel type digester with folia), but in practice problems always arise with
the attachment of the balloon at the edge. Such plants are still being tested under practical
conditions.
BALLOON TYPE BIOGAS PLANTS

A balloon plant consists of a plastic or rubber digester bag, in the upper part of which the gas is
stored. The inlet and outlet are attached direct to the skin of the balloon. When the gas space is
full, the plant works like a fixed-dome plant - i.e., the balloon is not inflated; it is not very elastic.
The fermentation slurry is agitated slightly by the movement of the balloon skin. This is
favourableto the digestion process. Even difficult feed materials, such as water hyacinths, can be
used in aballoon plant. The balloon material must be UV-resistant. Materials which have been
used successfully include RMP (red mud plastic), Trevira and butyl.

Advantages:
Low cost, ease of transportation, low construction (important if the water table is high), high
digester temperatures, uncomplicated cleaning, emptying and maintenance.

Disadvantages:
Short life (about five years), easily damaged, does not create employment locally, little scope for
self-help.
Balloon plants can be recommended wherever the balloon skin is not likely to be damaged and
where the temperature is even and high. One variant of the balloon plant is the channel-type
digester with folia and sunshade.
Advantages of biogas

 Biogas is Eco-Friendly. ...

 Biogas Generation Reduces Soil and Water Pollution.

 Biogas Generation Produces Organic Fertilizer.

 It's A Simple and Low-Cost Technology That Encourages A Circular Economy.

 Healthy Cooking Alternative For Developing Areas.

Advantages of biogas as a fuel

 High calorific value

 Clean fuel
 No residue produced
 No smoke produced
 Non – polluting
 Economical