Biogas Energy: Applications, Advantages, and Disadvantages

Biogas energy is a type of renewable energy produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic materials.

• Bio, as the name indicates, is related to living organisms, while gas is the state of matter emitted during decomposition.
• Biogas, like other resources such as air and water, is a significant source of energy.
• Biogas or bioenergy is produced from biomass, which includes decomposing animal waste, crop residues, household solid waste, food waste, agricultural waste, and other by-products. 
• Biogas is the gas released during the breakdown of organic compounds.
• The biogas plants are like small versions of the large power-generating plants that we generally see. 
• There is a round-shaped dome-like structure with an intake of organic wastes. 
• These wastes are the main energy sources for a biogas plant.

Key Terms: Biomass, Biogas, Bioplant, Renewable energy, Living organisms, Energy, Anaerobic decomposition, Methane

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Biomass

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Organic matter produced by living organisms such as plants, animals, and microbes is referred to as biomass. 

• It is a renewable energy source capable of producing heat, electricity, and transportation fuels.
• Biomass is made up of 75% carbon and other elements including hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. There are also a few alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and heavy metals.
• Biomass energy is a wide-ranging and sustainable form of energy that can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. It also provides a good source of employment and economic growth.

Biogas Energy

Some examples of biomass are

• Landfill gas
• Wood and wood residues
• Biogas from anaerobic digestion
• Sewage sludge
• Agricultural crops and residues
• Algae

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Biogas

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Biogas is a combination of gases produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic substances such as agricultural waste, municipal waste, plant residue, food waste, and so on. 

• Biogas is composed of methane, carbon dioxide, a small amount of hydrogen sulfide, and moisture.
• Biogas is generally produced in a biogas digester, which is a sealed container that provides perfect anaerobic digestion conditions. 
• The digester contains organic waste and water, and the temperature is kept between 30 °C and 40 °C. 
• The biogas is collected from the top of the digester and can be used directly or converted to biomethane, a renewable natural gas that can be used in the same way as natural gas.

The following are the steps involved in obtaining biogas

• Hydrolysis: Enzymes break down large molecules of organic matter into smaller pieces.
• Fermentation: Bacteria break down organic molecules in anaerobic environments.
• Methane formation: Production of methane gas.
• Spent slurry: Residue left after the formation of biogas.

Biogas

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Bioplant

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The biogas plant is a dome-shaped structure that has the facility to produce biogas from organic materials through anaerobic digestion.

• Organic materials such as waste food residue, fats, sludge, cow manure, and so on are combined with water and supplied into the digester through the opening. 
• The digester is a sealed chamber where organic matter is decomposed anaerobically. 
• After a few days, the organic matter decomposes completely, releasing gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. 
• These gases are extracted through pipes from the storage tank above the digester and distributed to related centers for utilization through decentralization channels.

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Advantages of Biogas

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The following are the advantages of using biogas

• Non-polluting: Biogas burns without smoke, therefore no hazardous gases such as CO₂, CO, NO₂, and SO₂ are produced.
• Reduces landfills: The waste product produced after the production of biogas is utilized as agricultural manure. Because the disposal procedure is safe and effective, no landfill area is required.
• Cheaper technology: Biogas plants have a low installation cost and become self-sufficient in 3-4 months.
• Generates employment: Thousands more people will get employment, particularly in rural regions.
• Renewable source of energy: It is regarded as a renewable energy source since its production is based on waste creation, which is an endless process.

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Disadvantages of Biogas

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The disadvantages of biogas are as follows

• Limited Efficiency: Biogas is not economically feasible for large-scale usage since it is difficult to improve its efficiency.
• Contains Impurities: It includes several impurities that are difficult to manage even after several rounds of filtration. When compressed for use as fuel, biogas is very corrosive to the container.
• Potential Hazards: When methane interacts with oxygen, it reacts violently to produce carbon dioxide. The extremely combustible nature of methane makes it highly susceptible to explosions.

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Application of Biogas

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The following are the applications of biogas

• It is used as cooking gas in rural areas.
• It can be used in vehicles replacing compressed natural gas (CNG). 
• Electricity can be produced using biogas. 
• It can be used in instruments used for water heating, space (room) heating, etc.
• Biogas is a considerably more efficient carbon dioxide displacer than the conventional fuel used in on-site CHP plants.
• It is used in many states for street lighting purposes.
• It is utilized in transportation. In Sweden, Amanda Biogas Train operates on biogas is an example of the use of biogas in transportation.
• It can be used in hydrogen fuel cells as well
• Biogas production generates highly useful dry solid waste, which is utilized as manure.

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Things to Remember

• Biogas is a gaseous renewable energy source made from agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant matter, sewage, green waste, wastewater, and food waste.
• Biomass is a type of renewable organic matter derived from plants and animals. 
• Methane (50-75%), carbon dioxide (25-50%), and nitrogen (2-8%) are the most common components of raw biogas.
• A biogas plant is a facility that provides oxygen-free conditions for anaerobic digestion.
• Biogas burns without smoke, and no hazardous gases such as CO₂, CO, NO₂, and SO₂ are produced.

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