“Generation of Electricity from Organic Waste”
“Generation of
Electricity from Organic Waste”
prepared by
Dr.A. Saji Das, Managing Director
BIOTECH Renewable Energy,
Thiruvananthapuram – 14, Kerala
Introduction
In accordance with the fast growing
population, the demand for energy and the discharge of waste are increasing day
by day. To overcome the energy crisis, alternative energy sources are the only
remedy. Generation of energy from waste is beneficial in many ways. It is most
suitable for eco-friendly waste disposal and also for energy generation.
With a view to finding out a permanent
solution to the problem of contagious diseases caused by the accumulation of
waste that is being increased day by day it is quite necessary that we have to
extend the scheme of implementation of decentralized waste treatment programmes
all over the country. The biogas technology enables one to produce bioenergy in
the households by treating the wastes generated in the houses. This technology
is also made applicable for treating the wastes produced from public places
like markets, slaughter houses, hotels, convents etc and for generating
electricity without causing any pollution to the atmosphere.
Technology adoption
for fast degradable materials
Through the utilization of Biogas Technology (Biomethanisation) for decentralized
waste management, the collection, transportation and segregation of waste can
be totally avoided as the wastes are treated at source itself.
Biomethanisation Technology
Biomethanisation is a universally accepted and proven
technology for Bioenergy Generation from bio waste. It is very simple, user
friendly and it needs no recurring expenses. Through the adoption of
biomethanisation technology all degradable waste can be treated with the help
of different types of anaerobic bacteria / microbes in a concealed chamber /
digester. Treated biomaterials, coming out from the digester in the form of
liquid or semi liquid can be used as a very good bio manure / organic
fertilizer.
Generation of Electricity from Biogas
The
main advantage of waste to electricity project is that no external power is
required for the operation of the plant. The power generated in the treatment
plant can be utilized to meet the in-house requirement completely. Excess
quantity can be utilized for any type of application, like the street lighting,
providing lights to the markets etc.
Normally,
1.5 KW electricity can be produced from one cubic metre of biogas. Depending
upon the percentage of methane content in biogas, the power generation may
slightly vary. The size of the generator can be fixed depending upon the
availability of gas, the quantity of gas and the duration for the requirement
of the power. The gas can be utilized as operation fuel in generators. Before feeding biogas as
the fuel in generator the gas
has to be passed through a gas scrubber to remove unwanted particles, gases,
moisture etc.
There
are two types of generators used for generating electricity from biogas. One is
the duel fuel model and the other is 100% biogas model. Duel fuel models are
diesel gensets. In this system the biogas is connected to the generator through
air mix. Once the biogas is passed through the generator, automatically consumption requirement of the diesel is
reduced. Normally duel fuel generators
are working in 80% - 20% mode.
In 100%
biogas engines no other fuel is required either for starting or for operation.
Any type of petrol engine can be modified for operating the same using biogas
as operation fuel. The imported models of 100% biogas engines are very costly
and the maintenance of such systems is very expensive. BIOTECH has developed
100% biogas engines. These engines are installed in various projects and the
performance of all of them is very good.
Operation of Waste to
Electricity Plant
The
biowaste generated in fish & vegetable markets, slaughter houses etc. are
collected in separate bins which are carried to the treatment plant site. After
final sorting, easily degradable biowaste is allowed to pass into the digester/
reactor. Slow degradable materials are fed in to the pre-digester and the
treated slurry is mixed with this feed material every day. The leachate from
the pre-digesters is extracted through specially designed filters and
channelized to the digesters for biogas production. The organic waste thus fed into the plant decomposes
within days through anaerobic process and the methane gas generated is
collected in the gas holder of the plant. For the effective operation and long
life of generators, the gas generated has to be purified before utilization.
For eliminating H2S, unwanted dust and moisture content, this gas is
allowed to pass through filters and gas scrubbers developed by Biotech. After filtration it is
channalized to the generator for electricity generation. Electricity thus
generated from the plant is utilized to meet the in-house requirements and for
street lighting. The treated bio waste can be collected from the pre
digesters and this can be utilized as biomanure.
Bio manure
The treated biowaste
materials coming out from the digester is in the form liquid or semi
liquid. This is a very good fertilizer
for all types of plants. This can be
mixed with equal or more quantity of water and directly be applied to plants. The solid manure from this slurry can be
separated through the filtering process. Filtered liquid can be utilized and
kept as solid fertilizer for later use.
Treated solid biomanure can also be collected directly from the
pre-digester developed by BIOTECH. The
biomanure generated through the biowaste treatment is a better substitute of
chemical fertilizer. Through the
utlisation of this, Lakhs of rupees spent for purchasing chemical fertilizers
can be saved to a great extent. The growth ratio of plants will be highly
improving with in a short period through the use of bioliquid fertilizer. The resistance power of plants from the
insects is will also be improved. In
short the treated slurry can be called as a tonic of plants. The water storage capacity of the soil will
be improved through the application of solid biomanure. The presence of insects in the soil can also
be avoided to an extent.
Types of wastes that can be
treated under Biomethanisation Technology
All easily degradable materials including cooked and raw food wastes,
fruits and vegetable waste, fish and meat waste, excreta of all domestic and
wild animals and birds and waste water containing bio waste materials can be
treated with this technology. Slow degradable materials like vegetables, green
or wet plant parts can also be treated with this technology, using specially
designed pre-digesters
Main parts of a Waste to electricity
Plant
Digester ,Gas Collector , Anaerobic
Pre digester ,Slurry loop system, 100% biogas generator, Standby generator,
Biogas scrubber ,Dehumidifier, Control panel , Power distribution system, Exes
Gas reservoir.
History
of waste to electricity projects in kerala
The installation of Kerala’s first biowaste treatment power generation
plant at Pathanapuragm Grama Panchayat in the Kollam District was 10 years back. This plant is treating 500 Kg
of organic waste every day and
generating 40 KW electric power every day. After the successful completion of
the above project, 52 Grama Panchayats in Kerala State came forward for the
installation of such plants and BIOTECH had completed the installation of the
power generation projects using market / slaughter house waste with power
generation capacities ranging between 3
KW to 20 KW. The power generated from these projects is being utilized for
energy requirements of the concerned markets and to meet the in-house requirement of the
plant.
Specialty of BIOTECH Waste to
electricity projects
1.
There is no need of grid electricity for the regular
operation of the plant. A part of the power generated from the plant is
utilizing to meet the in-house requirement of the plant.
2.
No much moving parts or complicated machineries.
3.
Introduction of anaerobic pre digesters helps to treat the
waste completely and to collect the treated waste. It prevents the scum
formation tendency of the plant. The inbuilt slurry loop systems accelerate the
fermentation process and reduce the consumption of drinking water. As per of
the treated slurry is selling as liquid organic fertilizer.
BIOTECH – Organizational
Background
BIOTECH – Kerala started functioning from 1994. The main activities of
BIOTECH from the very inception of the organization include promotion,
implementation, training, R&D, and also the creation of awareness to the
people in the field of conservation of renewable energy by waste management.
Different models of plants for the treatment of waste, according to the
requirement of the consumers and nature of waste, have been developed by
BIOTECH. These models cater to the needs of different categories of
beneficiaries such as domestic households, public institutions like hospitals,
schools, hostels, convents etc. and also Local Body establishments like
Panchayats, Municipalities, Corporations etc for treating different types of
waste. BIOTECH has successfully installed around 30,000 family size plants with
the financial assistance from MNRE,Govt of India, and with the active
co-operation of the local bodies.
BIOTECH also renders consultancy services, for the preparation of
projects, conducts feasibility studies and under takes project implementation
as well.
In recognition of our selfless services to the society BIOTECH was
honored by conferring on it the prestigious International Ashden Award “GREEN
OSCAR 2007”.
We are of the view that if similar decentralized waste
treatment plants are installed all over country, it would be very helpful for
the production of biogas, electricity and also bio manure apart from treatment
and disposal of unwanted waste. We wish that similar projects as we have
already imitated, may be implemented all over the country with the cooperation
and support of all concerned.
More information about
waste to electricity projects are available from- +
Managing Director, BIOTECH
Renewable Energy,
PB.NO.520, M.P.AppanRoad,
Vazhuthacadu,T hycadu.P.O,
Trivandrum.Pin.695 014, KERALA, INDIA, Tel.+91 471-2332179,2 321909,
Trivandrum.Pin.695 014, KERALA, INDIA, Tel.+91 471-2332179,2 321909,
WhatsApp number +91 9447792179
E mail- mailtobiotech@gmail.com
web site www.biotech-india.org
E mail- mailtobiotech@gmail.com
web site www.biotech-india.org
www.biogascourse.com
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