The growing need for electricity paved the way for ingenious methods for its production. One such mechanism is the generation of electricity through biogas. Despite all the reservations at the beginning, biogas has turned out to be an effective way for power generation. Different types of organic materials are used for the production of biogas. The generation of biogas does not require combustion, but it is used to speed up the process.
Due to the growing concerns about environmental effects, the popularity of biogas for electricity production is at an all-time high. Biogas provides a clean and renewable source of electricity. It is not dependent on fossil fuel that makes it a convenient choice. Different biogas power plants are working around the globe for producing cost-effective energy. If you want to learn about biogas power plants in detail, this blog will help you out.
Mechanism of Biogas Power Plants:
The biogas power plants work on a similar mechanism like thermal power plants. However, biogas power plants make use of biological waste in place of fossil fuels. Different organic constituents like animal waste and plants are placed in an airtight container. Due to the natural warmth in the container, the substances start to dissolve through fermentation.
The mixture is heated at around 40°C to speed up the process. The biogas produced as a result of bio-digestion works as a fuel in combustion engines. The usage of pipes channels the flow of biogas to the consumption source. Valves are installed at different locations on the pipe to manage the flow. Investing in the services of a certified manufacturer helps prevent leakages of the biogas during transfer.
Types of Biogas Power Plants:
Fixed Gas Holder Plant:
The fixed gas holder power plants are based on the oldest mechanism of biogas generation. Unlike floating-drum plants, the fixed gas holder power plants use a fixed biogas container. In fixed gas holder plants, the structure and construction of the tank are similar to that of floating drum type. The tank is enclosed from the top with concrete to store the biogas produced. An outlet is present on top of the gas holder to capture the gas produced.
A big drawback of using fixed drum gas holder plant is that the pressure of the gas is never consistent. If the quantity of biogas generated in the tank is high, the pressure will be greater and vice versa. A big advantage of the fixed gas holder power plant is its low construction cost.
Floating Gas Holder Plant:
As the name suggests, the floating gas holder plants use a tank with moving gas-holder drum on top of it. The tank is usually made up of concrete and the gas holder of steel. All the organic material is placed in the tank, and the biogas produced is collected in the cylinder-shaped drum. The tank is built underground, and the moving drum adjusts its depth according to the quantity of biogas produced.
Usually, the fermentation process in a floating gas holder lasts for around two months. The moving gas holder keeps on filling up with biogas as the temperature of the tank rises. The mechanism of a floating gas holder is simple and allows the monitoring of the biogas produced conveniently. However, the construction cost of the floating gas holder and tank is costly.
Balloon Biogas Plant:
The balloon biogas power plants are the result of the latest advancements in biogas technology. They use a rubber balloon for storing biogas, and the rest of the mechanism is pretty similar to the traditional biogas plants. The tank in a balloon biogas plant is also built underground, and the balloon is placed on top of it. When the pressure of biogas increases in the balloon, it starts inflating. This way, it is easier to assess the quantity of biogas produced from outside.
There is no need for extensive construction in balloon biogas power plants due to which they are highly cost-efficient. However, a big drawback is that the balloon is prone to damage and leaks.
Industrial Biogas Plant:
The industrial biogas power plants have a much larger scope than the traditional small scaled biogas plants. They use industrial waste along with organic mixtures for the fermentation process. The mechanism of the industrial plants is not very different from the traditional ones. However, usage of state-of-the-art equipment like large heaters result in higher production of biogas.
Unlike conventional plants, industrial plants do not consume the biogas as it is produced. Large holders are used for containing the biogas generated. There are massive combustion engines that use the biogas as fuel. The generators connected to these engines convert the heat energy into mechanical energy resulting in the production of electricity.
Benefits of Biogas Power Plants:
Cost Efficiency:
The biogas power plants provide one of the most cost-efficient mechanisms for electricity generation. It is mainly due to the low set up cost of biogas power plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the fuel used in biogas plants is cheaper and easily available.
Environment-Friendly:
Biogas power plants are one of the most environment-friendly types of power plants. They use organic waste for processing, which does not produce a lot of harmful gasses. The residue produced as a result of the fermentation of organic waste is an excellent fertilizer for plants. It helps increase the production of many crops. Biogas power plants also recycle waste helping to reduce land pollution.
Renewable Energy Source:
Unlike fossil fuels, the energy source used in biogas power plants is infinite. It means that our planet cannot run out of organic waste until the end of the world. Due to this reason, a biogas power plant can be considered as a highly sustainable power generation mechanism.
Domestic Usage:
Biogas power plants are ideal for fulfilling domestic energy needs. The scale of a biogas plant can be adjusted according to the requirements. Biogas plants provide clean, safe, and cheap electricity for different residential purposes.
Conclusion:
Biogas holds the solution for the future energy needs of the world. Hopefully, the information mentioned above will help you understand every aspect of a biogas power plant.
