MICROBES IN BIOGAS

PRODUCTION
Module: 4
BIOGAS
BIOGAS is a term used to represent a mixture of
different gases especially Methane, produced as a result
of action of anaerobic microorganisms on domestic and
agricultural waste

Biogas or Gobar gas is a mixture of methane-rich

combustible gas produced by anaerobic breakdown or
digestion of biomass with the help of methanogenic
bacteria.
• Technology of Biogas production in India was developed by
    IARI (Indian Agriculture Research Institute) and
    KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission)

In India , a large number of Gobar gas Plants are being used by

villagers not only as cheap source of energy , but also as a measure
for pollution control and for improvement of health and sanitation
conditions.
 Composition of Biogas: 
Methane                : 50-70% Methane       : 50-70%
Carbon dioxide    : 25-35% Hydrogen        : 1-5%
Nitrogen                 : 2 - 7 % Oxygen           : 0 –0.1 %
MICROBES INVOLVED IN
BIOGAS PRODUCTION
• Microorganisms involved in biogas
production are anaerobic bacteria.
• Most important bacteria of these are
methanogenic Archaebacteria
called Methanobacterium.
• Methanobacteria are found in the
anaerobic sediment at the bottom of
the ponds, marshes, anaerobic sludge
and in the rumen of cattle helping
in cellulose digestion.
• Methanogens grow anaerobically on
cellulosic material and
produce methane CH4, CO2 & H2
BIOGAS PLANT​
                             BIOGAS PLANT
• The biogas production is carried out in anaerobic digesters
known as Biogas plant. These have five components:
1. An inlet to feed the slurry
2. The fermentation chamber where the biogas is produced
with the activity of microorganisms (Digester)
3. The gas storage tank to store the gas produced
4. The outlet for the used slurry (spent slurry)
5. The exit pipe for removing the gas produced.
• The organic matters(slurry)are fed into the digesters
where anaerobic microbes are present.  These
microorganisms breakdown the organic matter and convert
it into biogas. The biogas thus produced is supplied to the
respective places through the exit pipes.
THREE STAGES (STEPS)IN BIOGAS PRODUCTION

 STAGE: I: Solubilisation/ Hydrolysis : It involves the breakdown of

organic polymers, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, cellulose,
hemicellulose etc into monomers by decomposer microbes.

STAGE : II :Acidiogenesis / Acid formation: The acidogenic

microbes or fermentative bacteria present in the digesters act upon the
monomers and convert the sugars and amino acids into carbon
dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen, and organic acids.

STAGE : III : Methanogenesis / Methane formation: The

Methanogens or Methanogenic bacterium converts the organic acids 
into methane and carbon dioxide.
                                       STAGES IN BIOGAS FORMATION​

Methane  +
CO2​BIOGAS

STAGE: III - Methanogenesis​ Methanogenic bacteria​

Organic Acid

STAGE:II - Acidogenesis​ Acidogenic microbes​

Soluble compounds
or monomers
STAGE: I - Hydrolysis​
Decomposer microbes​

Proteins    Fats     Cellulose      Hemicellulose​

SIGNIFICANCE OF BIOGAS
Biogas is also called as gobar gas. This gas primarily consists of carbon dioxide
and methane.  Biogas is produced due to the decomposition of organic matter
through anaerobic digestion of organic waste matters.
• Biogas is a renewable type of energy.
• It is cheap and easy to produce
• Methane is a combustible gas, i.e., it can be burnt, so it is used in cooking
and lighting.
• Biogas is used in the generation of power(electricity)
•  It is an eco-friendly & pollution free source of energy
• The spent slurry of biogas is used as organic fertilizer.
• It is a storable form of energy which can be used when required.
BIOGAS PLANT MODELS