Campus Sustainability Project Design Theme :- Waste In Campus

Production Of Bio-Gas Using Waste Food

Needs Of Bio-Gas
 Currently the fuel used for production of electricity are coal ,natural gas etc.  All these are non-renewable source of energy.  These sources are limited.  What if we are on the verge of extinction of coal , natural gas???  Biogas will be the best alternative for production of electricity.

Introduction to bio-gas technology

Biogas refers to a gas made from anaerobic digestion of agricultural and animal waste & food waste. Biogas can be obtained from any organic materials after anaerobic fermentation by three phases.

st 1

Stage: Fermentative bacteria

Hydrolyze & ferments organic substance
Cellulose Protein Fat decomposing decomposing decomposing bacteria bacteria bacteria -saccharides -Amino acids -fatty acids

Volatile acids,h2o & co2

2nd Stage: Hydrogen producing acetogenic bacteria

Decompose the substance produced in first stage

Acetic acid,H2,CO2

3rd Stage: Methane producing bacteria

Convert the substances produced in 1st & 2nd stage

CH4 & CO2

All kinds of organic waste can be used in a biogas plant such as: kitchen waste and garden waste, cattle dung and sewage. The efficiency of the biogas production is affected by the following factors: Carbon: Nitrogen-ratio, volatile solid content, loading rate, temperature, pH, toxicity, dilution, retention time and mixing. The Carbon: Nitrogen-ratio should be between 30:1 and 10:1 ( raw garbage has 22-27:1). The volatile solids percent (VS) represent the portion of the matter being anaerobically decomposed. In the biogas plant, 0.25-0.70 m3 biogas per kg volatile solids is produced. The loading rate should be in the range of 1-1.5 kg volatile solids/ m3 digester/day. the pH should be between 7 and 7.4 and the dilution with water 1:1. (Veziroglu, 1991) The retention time for mesophilic digestion should be 30-60 days (Werner et al, 1989). Anaerobic decomposition is possible at three temperature ranges: psychrophilic (<30 C),mesophilic(30-40c).

Structure Of Bio-Gas Plant

Graphical representation of retention time v/s total gas produced.

Economics
Wastage of food in NMIMS
 Number of students staying in hostel  Wastage of food per head per day  Therefore wastage of food by 1000 students per day = 1000*0.200 = 200 kgs 1000 (approx.) 200 gms(approx.)

Savings at NMIMS
 ELECTRICITY
 Production of bio-gas per kg - 0.5m3(from 0.3m3-0.7m3)  1m3 biogas = 5200-5900 kcal of heat energy = 1.25 kwh electricity  Hence we get 0.625 kwh per kg food waste  Hence, 0.625kwh*200kgs = 125kwh per day 

Hence we can produce 125 kwh electricity per day

Benefits
 Bio-Gas production has many benefits as a form of renewable energy production , sustainable waste management & fertilizer production.  In addition it is a closed loop system.  Qualities of sludge get significantly improve since the odor gets reduced and weed seeds and pathogens get removed.  All together biogas production contributes to sustainable development.  Helps reduce the CO2 emission and thereby to reach goals set by the kyoto protocol.

Fund Source
To implement biogas electricity generation plant money will be provided by the university charitable trust or from the bank.