A

MINI-PROJECT REPORT
IS
ON THE TOPIC – BIOGAS PLANT
SUBMITTED BY
ABHISHEK SONI
BTech (Civil Engineering
Department)
ROLL NO – 2000650000002
SUBMITTED TO
Mr.RAJEEV VERMA
(Assistant Professor )

B.S.A College of Engineering and

Technology MATHURA
Session – 2021-22
 DECLERATION

I hereby declare that the project entitled

“Biogas plant”, which is being
submitted as Mini Project of 3 rd

semester in Civil Engineering to BSA

COLLEGE OF ENGNEERING AND
TECHONOLOGY, MATHURA (U.P) is
an authentic record of my genuine work
done under the guidance of Mr. Raieev
Verma (Assistant professor) Dpt. Of
Civil Engineering. BSA College Of
Engineering And Technology, Mathura.

Date: 24/11/2021 ABHISHEK

SONI
Place: MATHURA B.TECH, (CE)
Rollno -
2000650000002
 I.

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that ABHISHEK SONI , student

of B.TECH in civil engineering has successfully
completed the mini project on BIOGAS PLANT
under the guidance of Respected Mr. RAJEEV
VERMA (Assistant processor) during the year
2021-22 in partial fulfillment of mini project
conducted by AKTU in semester Illrd.

( Rajeev verma )
 II.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the accomplishment of this project

successfully, many people have best owned
upon me their blessings and the heart pledged
support, this time I am utilizing to thank all the
people who have been concerned with this
project.

Primarily I would thank god for being able to

complete this project with success. Then I
would like to thank my H.O.D. Mr. Ashok
Kumar Sahu (Associated professor) and Mr.
Rajeev Verma (Assistant professor) whose
valuable guidance has been the ones that
helped me patch this project and make it full
proof success. His suggestions and his
instructions have served as the major
contributor towards the completion of the
project.
Then I would like to thank my parents and
friends who have helped me with their valuable
suggestions and guidance has been very
helpful in various phases of the completion of
the project.

III.

CONTENT LIST

Chapter 1.0 Introduction ………………………………………….

01-02
Chapter 2.0 History of Biogas plant. ……………………………..03-
04 Chapter 3.0
Composition ………………………………………….05-06
3.1 Typical composition of biogas plants
Chapter 4.0 Components of biogas plant ………………………..
07-08
4.1 mixing tank
4.2 INLET pipe
4.3 Digester
4.4 Gas Holder
4.5 Outlet pipe
 4.6 Gas pipeline
Chapter 5.0 Types of biogas plant ………………………………..09-
14
5.1 Deenbandhu biogas plant model
5.2 Janta biogas plant model
5.3 KVIC biogas plant model
Chapter 6.0 Advantages of biogas plant …………………………15-
17
6.1 advantages of biogas as a fuel
6.2 General advantages of biogas plant
Chapter 7.0 Disadvantages of biogas plant …………………..….
18-19
7.1 Few Technological Advancements
7.2 WeatherDependence
7.3 Foul Odor Emitted from Biogas Power Plant
IV.
Chapter 8.0 Uses of biogas plant …………………………………..
20
Chapter 9.0 Formation of biogas
plant………………………………………………21-23
9.1 Acid Formation
9.2 Methane Formation
Chapter 10.0 Raw materials for Biogas plant
generation …....…….24
Chapter 11.0 Limitations of biogas plant ……………………………..
25
Chapter 12.0 Conclusion ……………………………………………..
26

V.

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTERS. FIGURES.
PAGE NO
Chapter No – 04 Figure No 4.0 (a).
08
Chapter No – 05 Figure No 5.1 (a).
11
Figure No 5.2 (b).
13
Figure No 5.3 (c)
14
Chapter No – 07 Figure No 7.0 (a).
19

Vi
 CHAPTER – 1.0

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BIOGAS PLANT INTRODUCTION

Biogas is a mixture of Gases, primarily consisting of
methane and carbon dioxide, produced from raw
materials such as agricultural waste, manure,
municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste
or food waste. It is a renewable energy source.Pipes
carrying biogas (foreground) and condensate Biogas
is produced by anaerobic digestion with anaerobic
organisms or methanogen inside an anaerobic
digester, biodigester or a bioreactor. Biogas is
primarily methane (CH 4) and carbon dioxide (CO 2)
and may have small amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H
2S), moisture and siloxanes. The gases methane,
hydrogen, and carbon monoxide (CO) can be
combusted or oxidized with oxygen. This energy
release allows biogas to be used as a fuel; it can be
used in fuel cells and for any heating purpose, such
as cooking. It can also be used in a gas engine to
convert the energy in the gas into electricity and heat.
Biogas can be compressed after removal of Carbon
dioxide, the same way as natural gas is compressed
to CNG, and used to power motor vehicles. In the
United Kingdom, for example, biogas is estimated to
have the potential to replace around 17% of vehicle
fuel.It qualifies for renewable energy subsidies in
some parts of the world. Biogas can be cleaned and
upgraded to natural gas standards, when it becomes
bio-methane. Biogas is considered to be a renewable
resource
01
because its production-and-use cycle is continuous,
and it generates no net carbon dioxide. As the
organic material grows, it is converted and used.It
then regrows in a continually repeating cycle. From a
carbon perspective, as much carbon dioxide is
absorbed from the atmosphere in the growth of the
primary bio-resource as is released, when the
material is ultimately converted to energy .
 02

CHAPTER – 2.0

HISTORY OF BIOGAS PLANT

This anaerobic process of decomposition (or
fermentation) of organic matter happens all around us in
nature, and has been happening for a very long time. In
fact, the bacteria that break down organic material into
biogas are some of the oldest multi-celled organisms on
the planet. Human use of biogas, of course doesn’t go
thatfar back, however, some anecdotal evidence traces
the first uses of biogas to the Assyrians in the 10th century
and the Persians in the 16th century. More recently, the
20th century has brought about a renaissance of both
industrial and small-scale biogas systems.

In the 18th century it became clear to Flemish chemist Jan

Baptise van Helmont that decomposing organic matter
produced a combustible gas. Soon after, John Dalton and
Humphrey Davy clarified that this flammable gas was
methane. The first major anaerobic digestion plant dates
back to 1859 in Bombay. Not long after, in 1898, the UK
used anaerobic digestion to convert sewage into biogas,
which was then used to light street lamps. For the next
century, anaerobic digestion was primarily used as a
means to treat municipal wastewater. When the price of
fossil fuels rose in the 1970’s industrial anaerobic
digestion plants increased in popularity and efficiency.

03
Both India and China began developing small-scale
biogas digesters for farmers around the 1960’s. The goal
was to decrease energy poverty in rural areas, and make
cleaner cooking fuels more accessible in remote areas.
Close to one third of the global population still uses
firewood and other biomass for energy, causing
devastating health and environmental problems. (Link to
blog post on developing countries).

In India the popular model is known as the floating drum

digester, and China’s preferred biogas model is called
the fixed dome digester.

Since then, family-sized biogas units are gaining more

attention and popularity as both a means of reducing
household waste and as a means of providing clean
renewable energy to families throughout the world. In the
past 15 years, countries around the globe are adopting
biogas programs to make both household biogas systems
and larger anaerobic digestion plants accessible, efficient,
and convenient. As landfills get illegally overloaded, and
as the release of methane poses more worrying problems,
the benefits of using biogas systems to convert waste into
energy are increasingly more relevant and important.

Anecdotal evidence indicates that biogas was used for

heating bath water in Assyria during the l0th century BC
and in Persia during the 16th century. The first digestion
plant was built at a leper colony in Bombay, India in 1859.

04

CHAPTER -3.0

COMPOSITION
The composition of biogas varies depending upon the
origin of the anaerobic digestion process. Landfill gas
typically has methane concentrations around 50%.
Advanced waste treatment technologies can produce
biogas with 55-75% CH4.
3.1 Typical composition of biogas
Compound Formula Percentage by volume
Methane CH4. 50%-70%
Carbon dioxide CO2 25%-50%
Nitrogen N2. 0%-10%
Hydrogen H2. 0%-1%
Hydrogen sulfide H2S. 0.1%-0.5%
Oxygen 0%-0.5%

Like those of any pure gas, the characteristic properties of

biogas are pressure and temperature-dependent.

They are also affected by the moisture content. The

factors of main interest are:
Change in volume as a function of temperature and
pressure,
Change in calorific value as a function of temperature,
pressure and water-vapor content, and
05

Change in water-vapor content as a function of

temperature and pressure.
 06

CHAPTER -4.0

COMPONENTS OF BIOGAS PLANT

4.1 Mixing tank – The feed material (dung) is
collected in the mixing tank. Sufficient water is added and
the material is thoroughly mixed till a homogeneous slurry
is formed.
4.2 Inlet pipe – The substrate is discharged into the
digester through the inlet pipe/tank.
4.3 Digester – The slurry is fermented inside the
digester and biogas is produced through bacterial action.

4.4 Gas holder or gas storage dome – The

biogas gets collected in the gas holder, which holds the
gas until the time of consumption.

4.5 Outlet pipe – The digested slurry is discharged

into the outlet tank either through the outlet pipe or the
opening provided in the digester.

4.6 Gas pipeline – The gas pipeline carries the gas to

the point of utilization, such as a stove or lamp.

07
4.0 Diagram of Components of
biogas plant

08
 CHAPTER – 5.0

BIOGAS PLANT TYPES

Most organic materials undergo a natural anaerobic
digestion in the presence of moisture and absence of
oxygen and produce biogas. The biogas so obtained is a
mixture of methane (CH4): 55-65% and Carbon dioxide
(CO2): 30-40%. The biogas contains traces of H2, H2S
and N2. The calorific value of biogas ranges from 5000 to
5500 Kcal/Kg (18.8 to
26.4 MJ /m3). The biogas can be upgraded to synthetic
natural gas (SNG) by removing CO2 and H2S. The
production of biogas is of particular significance in India
because of its large scale cattle production. The biogas is
used for cooking, domestic lighting and heating, run I.C.
Engines and generation of electricity for use in agriculture
and rural industry. Family biogas plants usually of 2-3 m3
capacity.
Types of biogas plants: Biogas plants basically are two
types.
Floating dome type
Eg. KVIC-type (KVIC- Khadi Village Industries
Commission)
Fixed dome type
Eg. Deenabandu model

5.1 KVIC TYPE BIOGAS PLANT

This mainly consists of a digester or pit for fermentation
and a floating drum for the collection of gas. Digester is
3.5-6.5 m in depth and 1.2 to 1.6 m in diameter.
09
The digester is connected to the inlet and outlet by two
pipes. Through the inlet, the dung is mixed with water
(4:5) and loaded into the digester. The fermented material
will flow out through outlet pipe. The outlet is generally
connected to a compost pit. The gas generation takes
place slowly and in two stages. In the first stage, the
complex, organic substances contained in the waste are
acted upon by a certain kind of bacteria, called acid
formers and broken up into small-chain simple acids. In
the second stage, these acids are acted upon by another
kind of bacteria, called methane formers and produce
methane and carbon dioxide.

Gas holder
The gas holder is a drum constructed of mild steel sheets.
This is cylindrical in shape with concave. The top is
supported radically with angular iron. The holder fits into
the digester like a stopper. It sinks into the slurry due to its
own weight and rests upon the ring constructed for this
purpose. When gas is generated the holder rises and
floats freely on the surface of slurry. A central guide pipe
is provided to prevent the holder from tilting. The holder
also acts as a seal for the gas. The gas pressure varies
between 7 and 9 cm of water column. Under shallow
water table conditions, the adopted diameter of digester is
more and depth is reduced. The cost of drum is about
40% of total cost of plant. It requires periodical
maintenance. The unit cost of KVIC model with a capacity
of 2 m3/day costs approximately Rs.14, 000 – 00. Fig. 1.
Schematic diagram of a

10

Schematic diagram of a KVIC biogas plant

 Diagram 5.1 KVIC biogas plant

5.2 JANTA TYPE BIOGAS PLANT

The design of this plant is of Chinese origin but it has been
introduced under the name “Janata biogas plant” by
Gobar Gas Research Station, Ajitmal in view of its reduced
cost. This is a plant where no steel is used, there is no
moving part in it and maintenance cost is low.
11
some pre-explained precautions and using all the
indigenously available building materials. Good quality of
bricks and cement should be used to avoid the afterward
structural problems like cracking of the dome and leakage
of gas. This model have a higher capacity when
compared with KVIC model, hence it can be used as a
community biogas plant. This design has longer life than
KVIC models. Substrates other than cattle dung such as
municipal waste and plant residues can also be used in
janata type plants. The plant consists of an underground
well sort of digester made of bricks and cement having a
dome shaped roof which remains below the ground level
is shown in figure. At almost middle of the digester, there
are two rectangular openings facing each other and
coming up to a little above the ground level, act as an inlet
and outlet of the plant. Dome shaped roof is fitted with a
pipe at its top which is the gas outlet of the plant. The
principle of gas production is same as that of KVIC model.
The biogas is collected in the restricted space of the fixed
dome, hence the pressure of gas is much higher, which is
around 90 cm of water column.

12
 Diagram 5.2 Janta biogas plant

5.3 DEENBANDHU BIOGAS PLANT :

Deenbandhu model was developed in 1984, by Action for

Food Production (AFPRO), a voluntary organization based
in New Delhi. Schematic diagram of a Deenabandhu
biogas plant entire biogas programme of India as it
reduced the cost of the plant half of that of KVIC model
and brought biogas technology within the reach of even
the poorer sections of the population.
 13
The cost of a Deenbandhu plant having a capacity of 2
m3/day is about Rs.8000-00. The Deenbandhu biogas
plant has a hemispherical fixed-dome type of gas holder,
unlike the floating dome of of the KVIC-design is shown.
The dome is made from pre-fabricated ferrocement or
reinforced concrete and attached to the digester, which
has a curved bottom. The slurry is fed from a mixing tank
through an inlet pipe connected to the digester. After
fermentation, the biogas collects in the space under the
dome. It is taken out for use through a pipe connected to
the top of the dome, while the sludge, which is a
byproduct, comes out through an opening in the side of
the digester. About 90 percent of the biogas plants in India
are of the Deenbandhu type.

Schematic diagram 5.3 Deenabandhu biogas plant

 14

CHAPTER- 6.0

ADVANTAGES
• The initial investment is low for the construction of
biogas plant.
• The technology is very suitable for rural areas.
• Biogas is locally generated and can be easily
distributed for domestic use.
• Biogas reduces the rural poor from dependence on
traditional fuel sources, which lead to deforestation.
• The use of biogas in village helps in improving the
sanitary condition and checks environmental pollution.
• The by-products like nitrogen rich manure can be
used with advantage.
• Biogas reduces the drudgery of women and lowers

incidence of eye and lung diseases.

6.1 Advantages of biogas as a

fuel

• High calorific value

• Clean fuel
 • No residue produced
• No smoke produced
• Non polluting
• Economical
• Can be supplied through pipe lines
15
6.2 Advantages of biogas plants

• Reduces burden on forests and fossil fuels

• Produces a clean fuel – helps in controlling air
pollution
• Provides nutrient rich (N & P) manure for plants
• Controls water pollution by decomposing sewage,
animal dung and human excreta.
6.2.1 Renewable Source of Energy
Organic materials are derived from plants, animals, and
humans. Raw materials can be reproduced, making
biogas a green energy source. It also lessens the
damaging impact and improper wastes disposal.
6.2.2 Utilization of Waste
Instead of letting the wastes rot in landfills, it is more
advantageous to utilize and turn them into biogas. An
environmental hazard is reduced due to lesser methane,
carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases produced.
Wastes are turned into energy to utilize for electricity,
heating, cooking, and as fertilizers.
6.2.3 Produces a Circular Economy
Animal manure, food wastes, wastewater, and crop
residue are wastes produced by humans and animals.
These wastes can cause harm if not process correctly. By
turning these organic wastes into biogas, the wastes are
converted into a more helpful way. The wastes are made
into biogas for electricity and heating use, natural gas for
cars and cooking, and digestate as fertilizers.
6.2.4 A Good Alternative for Electricity and Cooking in
Rural Areas and Developing Countries
16
Some areas have limited access to electricity, hampering
their way of living. Biogas can provide them a good
alternative. It is economical to set up and possible both for
small- and large-scale production.
 17

CHAPTER – 7.0

DISADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS
7.1 Few Technological Advancements
The biogas industry is not yet advanced. Additional
research is needed to develop new technology and make
production efficient. Also, governments provide more
support on established energy sources such as solar,
geothermal, wind, and hydropower.

7.2 WeatherDependence
Like other intermittent energy sources (solar, wind),
biogas production is also affected by the weather.
Anaerobic digestion happens in an environment with a
temperature of 37°C. Heat energy is required in cold
climates to produce biogas continually.

7.3 Foul Odor Emitted from Biogas Power

Plant Biogas plant emits foul odor from the wastes they
process. Power plants should be built in a location away
from residences and other industrial areas.

18
 Figure – 7.0 (a)

Biogas Application chat

19
 CHAPTER – 8.0

8.0 USES OF BIOGAS

• Domestic fuel
• For street lighting
• Generation of electricity
• It is commonly used in rural areas as cooking gas.
• It can be used for the production of electricity.
• It can be used in instruments used for water heating,
space (room) heating etc.
• It can replace compressed natural gas for use in
vehicles.
• It can displace carbon dioxide in on-site CHP plants.
 20

CHAPTER – 9.0

FORMATION OF BIOGAS PLANT.

9.1 Acid formation

The micro organisms of facultative and anaerobic

group collectively called as acid formers, hydrolyze
and ferment the productions of first phase i.e., water
soluble substances into volatile acid. The major
component of the volatile acid is the acetic acid. In
addition to acetate or hydrogen and carbon dioxide,
some other acids like butyric acid and propionic acid
are also produced.

9.2 Methane formation

Finally, acetate or hydrogen plus carbon dioxide are

converted into gas mixture of methane (CH4) and
CO2 by the bacteria, which are strictly anaerobes.
These bacteria are called methane fermentators. For
efficient digestion, these acid formers and methane
fermentators must remain in a state of dynamic
equilibrium. The remaining indigestible matter is
referred as “slurry”. The following are some
approximate rules used for sizing biogas plants or for
estimating their performance:
1. One kg of dry cattle dung produces approximately 1
m3 of biogas.

2. One kg of fresh cattle dung contains 8% dry

biodegradable mass.

21
3. One kg of fresh cattle dung has a volume of about
0.9 liters.

4.One kg of fresh cattle dung requires an equal

volume of water for preparing slurry.

5. Typical retention time of slurry in a biogas plant is

40 days.

The efficiency of biogas generation depends upon the

following factors:

a.Acid formers and methane fomenters must

remain in a state of dynamic equilibrium, which
can be achieved by proper design of digester.

b.Anaerobic fermentation of raw cow dung can

takes place at any temperature between 8 and
55°C. The value of 35°C is taken as optimum.
The rate of biogas formation is very slow at 8°C.
For anaerobic digestion, temperature variation
should not be more than 2 to 3°C. Methane
 bacteria work best in the temperature range of
35 and 38°C.
c.A pH value between 6.8 and 7.8 must be
maintained for best fermentation and normal
gas production. The pH above 8.5 should not
be used as it is difficult for the bacteria to
survive above this pH.
d.A specific ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N
ration) must be maintained between 25:1 and
30:1 depending upon

22
e. the raw material used. The ratio of 30:1 is
taken as optimum.

f. The water content should be around 90% of

the weight of the total contents. Anaerobic
fermentation of cow dung proceeds well if the
slurry contains 8 to 9% solid organic matter.

g.The slurry should be agitated to improve the

gas yield.

h.Loading rate should be optimum. If digester is

loaded with too much raw material, acids will
accumulate and fermentation will be affected.
 23

CHAPTER – 10.0

Raw materials for biogas generation Biogas is

produced mainly from

• Cow dung
• Sewage
• Crop residues
• Vegetable wastes
• Water hyacinth
• Poultry droppings
• Pig manure
 Digestion is biological process that occurs in the
absence of oxygen and in the presence of anaerobic
organisms at temperatures (35-70ºc) and
atmospheric pressure. The container in which, this
process takes place is known as digester.

24

CHAPTER – 11.0

LIMITATIONS OF BIOGAS PLANT

• Initial cost of installation of the plant is high.

• Number of cattle owned by an average family of
farmers is inadequate to feed a biogas plant.
 25

CHAPTER – 12.0

CONCLUSION

Biogas technology is not a universally accepted

technology such as the transistor radio. A biogas plant has
to fit into existing farming-, production- or waste disposal
systems. Attempts to make the system fit to the biogas
plant will result in expensive and frustrating failures.
Biogas technology has many competitors. Energy can be
produced
 by fuelwood plantations (with other positive sideeffects),
by solar systems, micro-hydro-power and other
renewable energy technologies. Producing high quality
fertilizer can be done in other, cheaper ways such as
composting which are even closer to traditional
techniques. What makes biogas an attractive option is the
fact that this technology can provide solutions to a variety
of problems simultaneously. That is, if this variety of
problems exists.

26