3.1.

BIO ENERGY

Introduction:
Biomass is an organic matter from plant, animals and microorganisms grown on land and in
water and their derivatives.
Bio mass Conversion processes

1. Direct Combustion
2. Thermo chemical Conversion
3. Biochemical Conversion
3.1.a. Biochemical Conversion:

Digestion:

It is a biological process that occurs in the absence of oxygen and in the presence of
anaerobic organisms at ambient pressure and temperature of 35 -70C.
Psicrophilic (about 20C)
Mesophilic (about 35C)
Thermophilic(about 550C)
The container in which the digestion process takes place is known as digester.
The Organisms are of two types
Beneficial bacteria -Vinegar
Harmful bacteria- This type of bacteria, which causes decease both in animals
and human beings, is called Pathogen- e.g., bacteria causing cholera, typhoid,
diphtheria.
Based on oxygen requirement, classified as
Aerobic -Which grows in presence of oxygen.

Anaerobic -Which grows in absence of gaseous oxygen.

Aerobic:

Fermentation produces CO2, NH3, and small amount of other gases along with decomposed mass
and evolution of heat.
This residue is rich in C, N2, P, K and other nutrients.
 This residue material is used for plant nutrients.

Anaerobic digestion

It involves the microbial digestion of biomass.

It is a microorganism that can live and grow without air (or) oxygen.
The process takes place at low temperature, of upto 65C.
Moisture content of the feedstock is at least 80%.
Output gas consists of methane (55 -60 %), CO2 (30 -40 %) and other impurities (H2, H2S,
some N2).
Gas can be burnt by removing CO2 & H2S.
1 Kg of Organic material (dry weight) is expected to produce 450 -500 liters of biogas at
(9-12MJ) atm.
Anaerobic digestion consists of three phases
Enzymatic hydrolysis
Acid formation

Methane formation
Enzymatic hydrolysis

Where the fats, starches and protein contained in cellulosic biomass are broken down into
simpler compounds.

Acid Formation
Microorganisms of facultative and anaerobic group are collectively called as acid formers.
Complex organic compounds are broken down into short chemical simpler organic acids.

When the pH value is lowered to a level, biological activity is arrested.

Methane Formation
Organic acids formed are then converted into methane (CH4) and CO2 by the bacteria, which are
called methane fermentors.
For an efficient digestion, the acid formers and methane fermentors must remain in a state of
dynamic equilibrium.
 This equilibrium decides the efficiency of generation.

pH value between 6.5 to 8 is the best for fermentation and normal gas production.

3.1.b. Classification of biogas Generators:

Biogas plants are mainly classified as

Continuous and batch types
The Dome and Drum types
Continuous type:

This is a single digester in which the raw material is charged regularly and cleaned regularly.
This continuous type process may be completed in
Single stage
Double stage
Single stage:

The entire process of conversion of biomass to biogas takes place in a single chamber.
This chamber is regularly fed with the raw materials while the spent residue keeps moving out.
GAS REMOVAL

GAS STORAGE

SCUM LAYER
SUPERNATANT
SUPERNATANT LAYER OUTLETS

SLUDGE
INLET ACTIVELY
DIGESTING
SLURRY

DIGESTED
SLUDGE
SLUDGE OUTLET
Double Stage:

The acidogenic and methanogenic stage are physically separated in two chambers.
The first stage of acid production is carried out in the first chamber.
The diluted acids are fed to the second chamber where biomethanisation takes place.
The biogas can be collected from the second chamber.

FIXED COVER DIGESTER FLOATING

GAS OUTLET COVER

GAS STORAGE GAS STORAGE

SCUM LAYER
SLUDGE
OUTLET
SLUDGE SUPERNATANT SUPERNATANT
INLET MIXER LAYER
OUTLET

SLUDGE
HEATER
SLUDGE DIGESTED
INLET SLUDGE

SLUDGE OUTLET

FIRST STAGE
COMPLETELY MIXED SECOND STAGE
( STRATIFIED)

Advantages of continuous plant are

It will produce gas continuously.
It requires small digestion chambers.
It needs lesser period for digestion.
It has less problems compared to batch type and it is easier in operation.
Batch type plant:

Interval feeding of raw materials.

Plant is emptied as soon as the process of digestion is complete.

Gas production is intermittent.

Several digesters are required for continuous gas production- Cost is high.

Addition of fermented slurry needs for starting.

 Floating gas holder plant:

The gas holder is separated from the digester.

Gas holder is made of Mild steel.
The gas holder moves up and down depending upon the generation of biogas.
Rusting of the gas holder as well as the cost is the major constrain factor.
GAS HOLDER
GAS PIPE
MIXING PIT OUTLET

LEVEL

INLET
PIPE

SLURRY

PARTITION WALL

Advantages:

It has less scum troubles.

No separate pressure-equalizing device needed - Constant gas pressure.

Higher gas production per cubic meter of the digester volume.
No problem of gas leakage.
Disadvantages

Cost is high.

Heat loss from the gas holder.

Maintenance of gas holder.

Flexible pipe joining to the gas holder and main gas pipe line - to avoid twisting.

Examples: KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) plant, Pragati plant, Ganesh
biogas plant, Ferro Cement Digester biogas plant.
Fixed drum type:
 Gas holder and digester are combined, suitable for batch production
Local material is enough for building the plant.

GAS PIPE
GAS VALVE
LOOSE COVER
INLET
REMOVABLE MAN HOLE
COVER SEALED WITH CLAY
+

OUTLET
GAS 1000 mm
max

DISPLACEMENT TANK

SLURRY
DIGESTER OUTLET PIPE

FOUNDATION

Advantage
Less construction cost.
No corrosion trouble and no maintenance
Disadvantage
Skilled labour for construction.
Gas production per cubic meter of the digester volume is less.
Scum formation problem no stirring arrangement.
Variable gas pressure.
Example: Chinese plant, Janta biogas plant, Deenbandhu biogas plant.

3.1. c. Factors affecting Biodigestion or Generation of gas:

pH or Hydrogen ion concentration:

pH of the slurry changes at various stages of digestion.

In the initial acid formation stage pH is around 6 or less, after 2-3 weeks pH increases as the
volatile and N2 compounds are digested and CH4 is produced.
The ideal pH value for digestion of sewage solids is 7 to 7.5, for plant & animal wastes it is 8.2.
Temperature:

Methane bacteria works best at a temperature between 35 -38C.

The fall in gas production starts at 20C and stops at 10C.

 In addition to ambient temperature, other weather conditions also influence the gas generation
viz

Wind velocity (chill factor).

Sun shine directly available to keep the dome at the optimum temperature.

Type of food given to cattle (incase of gobar gas generation).

Total solid content:

Cow dung is usually mixed in the proportion of 1: 1 (by weight) in order to bring the total solid
content to 8 -10%.
The raw cow dung contains 80 -82% of moisture. The balance 18 -20% is termed as total solid.
The adjustment of total solid content helps in bio digestion of the material at a faster rate.
Seeding:

In cow dung, acid and methane fermentors are not in large numbers.
Bacteria is required for both acid and methane fermentation.
The acid formers proliferate fast and increase in numbers, while methane formers reproduce
slowly.
It would be advantageous to increase the number of methane formers by artificial seeding.
For accelerating the digestion process, the digested slurry is added to fresh slurry Seeding.
Uniform feeding:

One of the prerequisites of good digestion is the uniform feeding of the digester.
The digester must be fed at a time every day with a balanced feed of the same quality and
quantity.
Carbon Nitrogen ratio of the input material:

The elements of carbon (in the form of carbohydrates) and nitrogen (as protein, ammonia
nitrates etc.) are the main food for anaerobic bacteria.
Carbon is used for energy and nitrogen for building the cell structure for Bacteria.
C and N should be present in the proper proportion.
For optimum digestion, C / N ratio may be 30. (i.e. 30 times more carbon than nitrogen)
When there is too much carbon in the raw waste, the nitrogen will be used up first and carbon
left over. This will slow down the digestion process and the process will come to a stop.
 If there is too much nitrogen, carbon soon becomes exhausted and fermentation will stop. The
left over nitrogen will combine with hydrogen to form ammonia. This can kill the bacteria or
inhibit the growth of the same.

Diameter (D) to depth (d) ratio:

It is revealed that the gas production per unit volume of digester capacity was maximum when
D/d ratio was in the range of 0.66 to 1.0. But reports from the field do not confirm this.
Normal digesters of 16 ft depth and 4 -5 ft dia were reported to be working satisfactorily.
Nutrients:

The major nutrients required by the bacteria in the digester are C, H2, O2, N2, P and S
In cow dung, P, N2 is always in short of supply. So to maintain a proper balance extra raw
material rich in phosphorus (night soil) and N2 (chopped leguminous plants) should be added
along with cow dung to obtain maximum production of gas.
Mixing or Stirring or Agitation of the content of the digester:

Since bacteria in digester have very limited reach to their food, it is necessary that the slurry is
properly mixed and bacteria get their food supply.
Slight mixing improves the fermentation process, however violent slurry agitation retards the
digestion.
Retention Time and Rate of feeding:

The period of stay of the material for biogas generation, inside the digester is known
as the retention period.
The period depends upon the type of feedstock and the temperature.
Normal value of the retention period is between 30 to 45 days.
Retention Period for different materials for an efficient fermentation is
Biomass sources Retention time Bio gas potential(m3/kg)

i. Cow dung & buffalo dung 50 days 0.023 to 0.040

ii. Pig dung 20 days 0.04 to 0.059

 iii. Poultry droppings 20 days 0.065 to 0.116

In Continuous type of plant, the rate of feeding is an important factor. Maximum gas production
is achieved by uniform feeding.
Due to variation in retention period, undigested slurry may come out.
Type of feedstock:

All plant and animal wastes may be used as feed materials for a digester.
When feedstock is woody or contains more of lignin, then biodigestion becomes difficult.
Predigestion and finely chopping will be helpful in the case of animal wastes.
Toxicity:

The digested slurry, if allowed to remain in the digester beyond a certain period of time, becomes
toxic to the micro organisms and might cause fall in the fermentation rate.

Synthetic materials are toxic to methanogenic bacteria. Pesticides and disinfectants from farms
can kill bacteria.
Pressure:

Work conducted at National Environmental, Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) Nagpur &
other places indicated that the pressure on the surface of slurry also affects the fermentation.
It has been reported to be better at lower pressure.
Acid accumulation inside digester:

Intermediate products such as acetic, propionic and butyric acids are produced, during the
process of bio digestion.

This causes a decrease in the pH.

Acid accumulation does not arise in the continuous fermenting systems. It usually occur in batch
digestion systems.
3.1.d. Utilization of biomass:

Biomass has been recognized as an important renewable energy source to produce

electrical energy. The routes are:
Biomass Incineration Steam thermal Electric power plant
 Biomass Bio gas IC engine Generator Electric power plant

3.1. e. Gasification:

The word implies converting a solid or liquid into a gaseous fuel producer gas without leaving
any solid carbonaceous residue with air less than the theoretical amount that is required for
combustion.

Gasifier:

It is an equipment which can gasify variety of biomass materials such as wood waste, agricultural
waste like stalks, and roots of various crops, maize cobs etc.,
The calorific value of the producer gas is about 950- 1200 Kcal/ m3.

Carbon -monoxide (18 -24%) and hydrogen (18 -20 %) are the main constituents of the gas.

Producer Gas from the process has the following composition.

Carbon monoxide 18 -22% Hydrogen 13 -19%

Methane 1 -5% Heavier hydrocarbons 0.2 -0.4%

Carbon dioxide 9-12% Nitrogen 45 -55%

Water vapour 4%

Classification of biomass gasifiers:

Fixed bed gasifier

Direction of gas flow

Down draught
Up draught
Cross draught
 Fluidized bed gasifier
Fixed bed Gasifier
Up draught gasifier:
Air enters below the combustion zone & producer gas leaves near the top of the gasifier.
This type gasifier is very easy to build & operate.
The producer gas has no ash content but it contains tar & water vapour.
It is suitable for tar free fuels like char coal.

BIOMASS

DRYING ZONE

PYROLYSIS ZONE
GAS

REDUCTION ZONE

OXIDATION ZONE

ASH LAYER
FIRE PORT

BAFFLES
AIR

Down draught gasifier:

Air enters the combustion zone and producer gas leaves near the bottom of the gasifier.
Producer gas has less tar & more ash.
Most suitable for wood and agricultural waste.
Power generation capacity is above 150 kW.
Air enters through radial tuyers near the top of the fire box.
 Partial combustion takes place in front of tuyer openings.
Heat generated & hot gases proceed down ward through the fire box construction.
Un burnt pyrolysis products (tars) can be cracked into gaseous hydrocarbons, thus producing a
relatively clean gas.
This type is also known as cocurrent moving bed gasifier. Commonly used for engines.
BIOMASS

HOPPER
DRYING ZONE
Up to 120 Degree

PYROLYSIS ZONE
200- 600 Degree
OXIDATION ZONE GAS
900 -1200 Degree
HEARTH
AIR
TUYERS

REDUCTION ZONE
900 - 600 Degree
GRATE
ASH PIT

c. Cross draught gasifiers

Gas produced passes upwards in the annular space around the gasifier that is filled with charcoal.
Charcoal acts as an insulator & dust filter.
Power generation is upto 50 kW.
This type is not commonly used.
 BIOMASS

DRYING ZONE

DISTILLATION ZONE

REDUCTION ZONE

AIR GAS

OXIDATION ZONE
GRATE

ASH PIT

Fluidized bed gasifier:

This is the most versatile type and any biomass (including sewage sludge, pulping elements) can
be gasified using this type of gasifier.
It gasifies with high efficiency and with minimal pollution.
The calorific value of biomass is not a constraint.
Can be used for biomass with high ash content.
Generally contains inert material (sand) and reactive material (lime stone or catalyst).
Operating temperature range is 750-950o C.

3.1. f. Pyrolysis:

Destructive distillation.
Organic materials are heated without air to produce the secondary fuels and chemical products.
The products are liquid, gas, tars and oils and solid residue such as charcoal.
Efficiency of Pyrolysis is measured as the heat of combustion of the secondary fuels produced,
upon the heat of combustion of the primary fuel.
Generally there are four temperature range in the process
100-125oC - input materials gets dried
up to 275oC - out put gases mainly N2, CO and CO2; methanol and acetic
 acid distilled off

280-350oC - exothermic reaction occur- CO2, CO, CH4, C2H6 & H2

above 350oC - all volatiles are driven off; Higher production of H2 formed
with CO