Everything You Need To Know About Biogas Production

Every year, India generates almost 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW), roughly half of which is organic. This organic waste, when decomposed, produces methane when disposed off irresponsibly.

Rather than emitting this toxic gas directly into the air, it can be used in biogas production to help curb pollution, improve livelihoods, and enhance the quality of life.

Many industrial sectors treat their wastewater with the help of biological processes.

The anaerobic process produces biogas that can run the operations at the treatment plant. This helps in saving costs on electricity and fossil fuels.

Before we dive into the anaerobic working process in the wastewater treatment plant, let us understand more about biogas.

What is Biogas?

Biogas, commonly known as biomethane, is a renewable energy source produced when there is a breakdown of organic matter without oxygen.

It occurs naturally or as a part of an industrial process to utilize as fuel.

It mainly consists of 50-70% of methane and 30-40% of carbon dioxide with a trace amount of other elements like hydrogen sulphide, siloxanes, and some moisture.

However, the relative quantities vary depending on the type of waste involved in producing the resulting biogas.

Biogas is considered to be highly efficient in converting energy sources into electricity.

It gives operators various benefits, including low power cost, eliminating power outage risks, and improving sustainability profiles.

It is possible to achieve zero-carbon power with biogas as it is clean, reliable, and affordable in today’s world.

Some of the potential sources that generate biogas are:

• Livestock Waste: Animal waste contains nutrients that act as a substrate for biogas. Manure from poultry, cattle and pigs helps yield reasonable quantities of biomethane required in biogas production.
• Landfill Gas: This energy generator utilizes waste from domestic activities to develop biogas. Landfills contain suitable organic materials that decompose and contribute to biogas generation.
• Activated Sludge From ETP/STP: The effluents that enter the wastewater treatment plant contain organic substances. The activated sludge is channeled to the decomposition chamber, where methane is generated.

Modern sewage treatment plants undergo efficient treatment with no impurities. The effluent and sewage sludge formed as a byproduct is utilized as the energy source and biomass in the future.

In ETP/STP, microorganisms act on the waste in the biological treatment process, where it decomposes the organic matter.

Depending on oxygen availability, the degradation occurs in two ways: aerobic and anaerobic.

Microbes that decompose organic matter without oxygen emit methane and carbon dioxide. This can be used in biogas production.

The demand for biogas technology is increasing as more people opt for sustainable energy sources to save on costs and the environment.

Wastewater treatment plants can produce biogas on a large scale as their primary role is treating the effluents and utilising methane in biogas production.

WWTPs are considered to be the largest consumers and producers of sustainable energy.

Biogas in Wastewater Treatment Plant

Biological treatment is a part of the wastewater treatment plant.

Under biological treatment, anaerobic digestion is a phase where the bacteria in the treatment plant break down organic matter like animal manure, wastewater biosolids, and food wastes in the absence of oxygen.

Anaerobic digestion occurs in a sealed vessel called a biodigester.

The digester is designed and constructed in various shapes and sizes specific to the site and feedstock conditions.

These reactors break down the waste and produce resultant biogas.

In a digester, multiple organic matters are combined for co-digestion.

Co-digested materials include manure, food waste (i.e., processing, distribution, and consumer-generated materials), crop residues, fats, oils, and greases (FOG), and many other sources.

It helps in increasing biogas production from low-yielding or difficult-to-digest organic waste.

However, sometimes the anaerobic process malfunctions.

Some of the common problems that are seen in the system are:

• Oxygen Exposure
• Variation in effluent upsetting the system
• Temperature fluctuation
• Foam formation

These common issues can affect biogas production and might indirectly impact the working of the treatment plant.

Is there a solution to overcome these issues?

Treating Wastewater with Cleanmaxx ANB 

Organica Biotech has developed an innovative solution that can be used to get rid of these problems.

With 22+ years of research expertise and our DSIR-approved laboratory, we help industries from analysing the treatment plant’s problem to providing a tailor-made solution.

Cleanmaxx ANB contains a consortium of highly diverse facultative anaerobes that can stabilise the anaerobic system without making any physical change to the current system.

Benefits of Cleanmaxx ANB

• Effective over a range of temperatures and pH
• Can degrade complex organics, xenobiotics & recalcitrant natural compounds.
• Maximise BOD/COD reduction levels
• Reduces sludge volumes
• Increases biogas yield
• Curbs odour

Reach the wastewater experts today for an effective solution for your wastewater treatment plant.