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INTRODUCTION Diminishing forests, and a burgeoning, mainly rural biomass-dependent population of 984 million, necessitates a co-ordinated effort of rural India to supply itself with a dependable and sustained source of energy. Biomass alone currently meets 57% of the national energy demand, yet is rarely featured in any 'official' statistics of energy use, given perhaps its scattered nature, and its low status as fuel. Indeed, according to statistics, in 1995, 63.3% of India's energy production was from its reserves of low-grade coal, 18.6% from petroleum, while hydroelectricity, natural gas and nuclear accounted for 8.9%, 8.2%, and 1% respectively. India's overall energy production in 1995 was approximately 8.8 quadrillion Btu (quads), while consumption was 10.5 quads. India's energy demand is increasing, and its inability to step up production to meet demand, has increased India's reliance on costly imports, the gap between consumption and production projected to widen into the next century, as demand for energy is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.6% - one of the highest in the world. Energy for developing industries, transport, and a drive towards the electrification of India over the last three decades of an expanding residential sector, so that currently, a great percentage of villages in the subcontinent have access to the grid- as much as 90%, according to recent figures (EIA, 1998), have contributed to the energy production deficit. Fuelwood is the primary source of biomass, derived from natural forests, plantations, woodlots and trees around the homestead.

Table 1: The estimated potential of various RES technologies in India Source / System Biogas plants (in millions) Improved woodstoves (in millions) Biogas (MW) Solar energy (MW / km2) Wind energy (MW) Small hydro power (MW) Ocean energy (MW) Approximate Potential 12 120 17,000 20 20,000 10,000 50,000

APPLICATION OF BIOGAS IN RURAL INDUSTRIES

As using part of purified biogas. From theoretical estimation agriculture is main occupation in rural areas, industries about 245 MJ dayG energy is required for purification and related with agricultural produce such as food processing compression operation which is about 25% of the total unit (Fruits, Chilies, tomato sauce, jam, vegetable drying energy generated per day through biogas. The net energy etc.), flour and spice mill, mini oil expeller etc. are more available in terms of Liquefied Biogas is about 735 MJ successful in these areas. They are not only based on dayG . It is bottled at 1010 kPa pressure in 4 cylinders in local produce, but also provide employment to people a day when they need it most. These industries can run easily Considering US $ 6250 as capital expenditure and on power develop by
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diesel engine using bottled energy US $ 634 annual operational expenditure for 60 m dayG of biogas than diesel/electricity. Here rural industries capacity biogas plant and bottling system, the cost of which can power through 60 m dayG capacity biogas.

WHY BIOGAS? Biogas has an enormous potential of 17,000 MW (estimated). Biogas technology is a particularly useful system in the Indian rural economy, and can fulfil several end uses. The gas is useful as a fuel substitute for firewood, dung, agricultural residues, petrol, diesel, and electricity, depending on the nature of the task, and local supply conditions and constraints, thus supplying energy for cooking and lighting. Biogas systems also provide a residue organic waste, after anaerobic digestion that has superior nutrient qualities over the usual organic fertilizer, cattle dung, as it is in the form of ammonia. Anaerobic digesters also function as a waste disposal system, particularly for human waste, and can, therefore, prevent potential sources of environmental contamination and the spread of pathogens. Small-scale industries are also made possible, from the sale of surplus gas to the provision of power for a rural-based industry, therefore, biogas may also provide the user with income generating opportunities. The gas can also be used to power engines, in a dual fuel mix with petrol and diesel, and can aid in pumped irrigation systems. Biogas can also be utilized for: 1.) Electricity production on sewage works, cooking, space heating, water

heatingand process heating. 2.) If compressed, it can replace compressed natural gas for use in vehicles, where

it can fuel an internal combustion engine or fuel cellsand is a much more effective displacer of carbon dioxide than the normal use in on site CHP plants. 3.) Methane within biogas can be concentrated to the same standards as fossil
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natural gas; when it is, it is called biomethane. 4.) If concentrated and compressed it can also be used in vehicle transportation.

Liquefied Biogas is becoming widely used in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. A biogas-powered train has been in service in Sweden since 2005. Apart from the direct benefits gleaned from biogas systems, there are other, perhaps less tangible benefits associated with this renewable technology. By providing an alternative source of fuel, biogas can replace the traditional biomass based fuels, notably wood. Introduced on a significant scale, biogas may reduce the dependence on wood from forests, and create a vacuum in the market, at least for firewood. The use of biogas systems in an agrarian community can increase agricultural productivity. All the agricultural residue, and dung generated within the community is available for anaerobic digestion, whereas previously, a portion would be combusted daily for fuel. Therefore more is returned to the land. An increase in land fertility, then, can result in an increase in agricultural production. The knock on benefits may include improved subsistence, increased local food security, or income generation from a higher output.

EVOLUTION OF BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY Biogas plants in India were experimentally introduced in the 1930's, and research was principally focused around the Sewage Purification Station at Dadar in Bombay, undertaken by S.V. Desai and N.V. Joshi of the Soil Chemistry Division, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi.

Research into anaerobic digesters continued around the country, and the Planning Research and Action Division (PRAD) based in Uttar Pradesh, northern India developed the 'Janata' fixed-dome plant, based on a modified design widely used in China. The discussion so far has highlighted the potential contribution of biogas systems in a rural, Indian economy. Although the systems evolve through a process of research and development, the critical test of their appropriateness, and ultimate usefulness, is their application in the field. Table 2: Different types of biogas plant recognized by MNES (Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources). After Gate, 1999. Floating-drum plant with a cylinder digester (KVIC model). Fixed-dome plant with a brick reinforced, moulded dome (Janata model). Floating-drum plant with a hemisphere digester (Pragati model). Fixed-dome plant with a hemisphere digester (Deenbandhu model). Floating-drum plant made of angular steel and plastic foil (Ganesh model). Floating-drum plant made of pre-fabricated reinforced concrete compound units. Floating-drum plant made of fibreglass reinforced polyester.

In the 1980's, the NPBD was active in promoting biogas in low-caste and tribal areas of Udaipur, Rajasthan, north-western India. It conducted a survey in eight villages of mixed caste and tribe, in an attempt to assess the impact and effectiveness of NPBD in these areas. 114 samples of families who had installed biogas plants under the NPBD programme up to 1985, notably the cheaper fixed-dome Janata were considered. The data revealed some interesting findings; of the 114 beneficiaries, 107 were registered as 'landless' or 'marginal', though the survey discovered the plant owners were mostly the wives or sons, of landowners who owned between 6-20 acres of land. As a success for the NPBD, the scheme is described as a 'peoples' programme'. That participation amongst farmers is high is a positive sign of the potential role of biogas in an agricultural community, however, the programme does not appear to be delivering to the rural poor, as defined by scheduled caste and tribe, which may be indicative of the inherent incompatibility of the technology with regard to marginalised groups. Uptake of biogas technology among scheduled caste and Adivasi (tribal) groups then is found to vary across the subcontinent, though even where participation is high, the technology may not be truly viable. As household size plants may be generally nonviable to many scheduled caste and Adivasi groups, community size plants might be more appropriate. Larger sized plants, servicing a cluster of houses, or indeed a whole village, may overcome the seemingly insurmountable problems apparent regarding individual plants and the rural poor, as discussed earlier.

Table 3: Daily dung requirements and dung fed (quintal =100kg) Name of village Dung requirement Dung fed From village Mehdoodan 30 Peharkalan Ablowal Passiana Hambran Pandori Chabewal 30 30 30 95 30 30 14 16 10 12 45 12 From outside 4 10 10 3 30 14 20 20 22 45 15 30 16 10 10 8 50 15 Total Difference

With each cow producing approximately 12 pounds of manure a day (7,500 Btu/dry pound), cattle operations have the potential of producing up to 1 kilowatt of energy per cow per day. Much of this potential energy is lost through natural processes, and in collecting and managing the waste. With concentrations of cattle exceeding 100,000 at some dairy and feeding operations, the potential for energy recovery is significant. Although the potential resource is significant, the economics of generating energy from animal waste are not as favorable as for digesters or landfill operations. Primary reason is that animal waste is land applied, so there are significant costs associated with waste collection and treatment that need to be considered as part of an energy recovery project. Environmental and groundwater standards, are becoming increasingly important. In highly agricultural areas, these requirements are imposing added costs on dairy operators. Installing energy recovery systems enables some of these costs to be offset, which is a factor that is increasingly important.
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FACTORS HINDERING SPERAD OF BIOGAS It would be worth briefly considering the problems associated with the alternative technology, in terms of technical/operational, economic, and cultural aspects, which may potentially hinder its spread. Finally, the government's overall approach in disseminating biogas technology will be considered. Technically, problems have arisen from installing too large a capacity plant, either by accident or design. There is a general tendency for householders to construct an over-sized plant, even when they are only used for cooking purposes and not applied to wider energy demands. Too large a plant was found to lead to under feeding, and eventual failure of the plants to produce gas. Under feeding was also found to occur due to the under-collection of dung, estimated typically at 30-40% of the required capacity, and principally due to cattle being worked in the field, which would also lead to a reduction in gas production. Dung may also vary in its availability. As mentioned earlier, in areas of climatic instability, the occurrence of drought may reduce dung availability, by forced sale of cattle, or even death of cattle. Sometimes the plants are faulty in their construction, or develop problems that lead to the non-functioning of the plant, due to shoddy construction. The system of grants and loans may hinder the correct choice of plant for different users, such as the ineligibility of community size systems, due to their size. While finally, another point in prohibiting uptake may be the perceived unnecessary switch from the existing free source of energy, such as wood and crop residues. Cultural practices may also hinder general uptake, due to reluctance to adopt different behavior, particularly regarding the use of latrines in biogas systems. Traditional cooking practises may also need to be altered. The problems discussed above may be overcome, through effective selection processes for the technology, and proper extension and support services. By all
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accounts, the government does not seem to be effectively organised to achieve such a goal, and a high number of non-operative biogas plants are likely to continue. Criticisms of NPBD have been widely articulated, from the lax selection process, to the arbitrary fixing of regional targets, which are then pursued. In a study of biogas uptake in Maharashtra, that in a sample of 1670 plants, 1086 beneficiaries were found not to qualify under the feasibility criteria. There is a lack of available technical support. In this way, plants may be allowed to fall into disrepair, when their functioning may depend upon adequate maintenance skills, which should be available in every village. There is a danger that biogas may come to be thought of as a useless and inappropriate initiative, a folly imposed from policy makers and NGO's. Compared to the biogas programme in China, where seven million household and community biogas systems have been successfully installed, India has a long way to go to realise the benefits of biogas technology. China, through the creation of effective institutions and by placing an emphasis on training and education, has achieved widespread dissemination of biogas technology, though the social organisation may particularly facilitate the spread of new, community-focused technologies.

CONCEPT OF LBG

Biogas contains a large proportion (about 40 % by volume) of carbon dioxide, a heavier and non combustible gas and some fraction of hydrogen sulphide. Hence it is needed to enrich biogas by removing these undesirable gases to save compression energy and space in bottle and corroding effect, which can be done by scrubbing. The scrubbing system is found to enrich methane about 95 % or more depending upon biogas inlet and water injection pressure. Biogas can be used for all applications
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designed for natural gas, assuming sufficient purification.

Scope of the technology Enriched biogas is made moisture free by passing it through filters, after which it is compressed up to 200 bar pressure using a three stage gas compressor. Compressed gas is stored in high pressure steel cylinders as used for CNG. There is large potential of this technology in buses, tractors, cars, auto rickshaws, irrigation pump sets and in rural industries. This will help to meet our energy demand for rural masses thus reducing the dependence on extremely valuable and insufficient fuels, like petroleum.

Biogas (LBG) Purification and Bottling

India has a huge population of humans and cattle. One fifth of the population of earth as well as millions of cattle reside in India. So bio-logical waste is available in abundance.

Unfortunately no conscientious effort, except the traditional use of animal waste as manure, has been made to some extent. No effort has been made to use this waste for the purpose of production of energy to run power plants, vehicles etc. Several years back a half hearted effort was made to use this Bio- Gas as a source of cooking with the help of bio-digesters. This was done by marginal farmers/cattle breeders having one or two cattle. Obviously it did not bring any worth while response. Due to the small size of the plant and improper handling the out put of the gas was limited and irregular. It has always been considered only as a stand by alternative
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arrangement.

At no time in the past, an all out effort to utilise the potentiality of large cattle breeders, Gaushallas and Panjrapols has even been considered.

By an approximate formula, 100 cows will give/day 1000/Kg of cow dung, this in a bio digester will yield about 40 M3 of Gobar gas. After removing impurities such as CO2, Sulphur, Moisture etc will yield about 20M3 or 17Kg of pure methane gas.

It is only now that, a Technology has been developed by us, enabling the use of this gas from Bio digester. Gober gas is purified of all impurities and moisture. Pure Methane gas is than Compressed. This Compressed Bio - Gas is capable of running Power plants & Vehicles.

Brief description & operation of the plant is as under

This Project is designed for Bottling Biogas Generating power using non-conventional energy Driving conventional vehicles using non-conventional energy The Project has two parts:

Ist part Deals in separating impurities such as moisture, Carbon dioxide and Hydrogen sulfide and generating pure Methane from Biogas.

IInd part Deals in Filtering, compressing and filling Methane in a Gas Bottle i.e. a CNG
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Dispenser making it suitable as an IC Engine fuel.

Ist part Biogas is an economical, renewable and an eco-friendly fuel. Biogas is produced in an anaerobic digester i.e. a Gobar gas plant. Biogas in its natural self consists of Moisture, Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen sulfide and Methane gas. Methane has a high calorific value in its pure stage. Due to the presence of impurities Biogas becomes a very low calorific value fuel and hence finds a very limited application even though it is cheap and easily available.

We have to extract pure and high calorific value fuel methane from low calorific fuel Biogas to make it an IC Engine suitable fuel. Once pure Methane is available in suitable quality and quantity it finds a wide range of applications from running an oil engine, driving a Motor car Engine to operating a Gas Turbine for rural power generation.

Biogas generated from the digester is allowed to flow through moisture traps. This process drains out the Moisture present in the gas. The gas is than allowed to counter flow in a specially designed Sulfide extractor. This filter drains out Balance Moisture along with the present sulfides.

Treated gas is pressurized with the help of a primary compressor. The filters mounted drain out any present moisture and Oil present post compression.

The pressurized clean gas is than passed through a Physical Separation Device. The Physical Separation Device is a specially designed modern high pressure combined
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directional flow device for cleaning Biogas of it high impurities.

A measuring device is fitted after the filters to gauge the quantum of clean Methane gas collected in the collecting tank.

IInd part This part of our system now deals in bottling this clean Methane gas into a standard CNG bottle. Gaseous Fuel generates maximum efficiency when it is injected into any CNG converted Internal combustion Engine with the desired constant pressure.

The cleaned Methane gas is than taken into a 3-Stage high-pressure compressor.

The compressor compresses the gas from

a) Atmospheric to 10Kg/cm2 in stage I b) 10Kg/cm2 to 60Kg/cm2 in stage II c) 60Kg/cm2 to 250Kg/cm2 in stage III This pressure is considered suitable to fill up a CNG bottle rack. This CNG Bottle Rack can than be connected to a standard CNG Dispenser unit. Now this purified Gobar gas is ready to be used as Fuel in a motor car, or run a Gas Turbine or any CNG converted Internal combustion engine connected to an alternator to produce electricity. We have renamed this Purified Biogas as LBG - LIQUEFIED BIOGAS.

The whole System from Input of Biogas into the Machine till Filling LBG into a Vehicle or Bottles consumes less than 5Kva of Power for a system designed to treat 200 M3.
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of gobar-gas.

Our system aims on reducing Capital cost, Operational costs and space requirements. The system can safely be operated by our rural citizens with minimum training. Our system has been designed keeping Indian rural conditions in mind. It is so flexible that it can be mounted on a Tractor Trolley (if required), the most common utility vehicle in all rural areas.

Due to this, mobile LBG unit, can cater to more than one Biogas plant in a rural area, as come times due to local conditions, it may not be possible to have all the Bio-waste Digesters in one area. The Trolley mounted machine with the help of a tractor can be transported to the Bio Digester which is filled up with the unrefined gas. The machine after refining the LBG can fill up the bottles which can be stored or transported to the required place with ease, causing an uninterrupted supply of high calorific value LBG gas.

A properly coordinated movement could result in complete conversion of Vehicles from fossil-based fuel to abundantly available Methane. This movement would change the face of Indian economy forever.

The size & cost of the plant depends upon the total quantum of Gobar available.

BIO GAS PURIFICATION AND BOTTLING UNIT LAYOUT DRAWING

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A CASE STUDY TO BOTTLE THE BIOGAS IN CYLINDERS AS A SOURCE OF PURIFICATION AND BOTTLING OF BIOGAS To have more vessels for bottling in cylinders, energy per unit volume of biogas, the carbon dioxide content in thebiogas should be removed.

Feasibility study on biogas bottling A model has been sulfide (H S) content may deteriorate compression system developed for biogas bottling system in a village having due to corrosive property. A 60 m dayG capacity biogas plant. The system has There are many methods for carbon dioxide (CO2) two components for removal i.e. absorption in water, absorption using chemicals, pressure swing adsorption and membrane C. Removal of CO by water scrubbing separation. Compression of purified biogas in cylinders However, absorption of CO in water is simple, costeffective, eco-friendly and practical method for The composition of biogas is assumed to have 60% CO removal from biogas in rural areas. It is a continuous methane and 40% carbon dioxide. Considering 75% plant process and simultaneously removes H S also. This efficiency (account of seasonal and other factors) the method is most popular in sewage sludge based biogas average gas availability will be 48 m dayG . The energy plants in Czech Republic, France,
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Sweden, New Zealand balance of the whole process. High purity biogas (> 95% methane content) purification, the raw biogas is compressed at 1000 kPa can be obtained using this technology. When biogas pressure and fed at bottom into a scrubber having a is produced from cattle dung, hydrogen sulfide content packed bed absorption column in which pressurized is usually less than one per cent. The concentration of water (1200 kPa pressure) is sprayed from top in counter-hydrogen sulfide more than this level should be removed current action. The scrubber is designed to absorb the before use in engines. CO available 40% in raw biogas to 5% in purified biogas, current direction through packing material.

Assumptions: 1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) Capacity of plant - 60 m dayG. Plant efficiency - 75%. Generated gas - 48 m dayG. Purified gas consumption in running dual fuel engine - 0.18 m /kW. Calorific value of purified biogas - 17 MJ mG. Gas capacity for 0.0215 m3 water capacity cylinder - 2.7 m. Gas flow rate for 8 hours of working in a day - 6 m hG r. Heat rate of raw gas - 125 MJ hG r. Total energy available in one day from biogas plant - 979 MJ

B. Energy required for purification: 1.) For pumping and pressurizing water at 1200 kPa 0.7 kW 2.) 2For pressurizing the gas at 1000 kPa. Energy required 0.5 kW 3.) Energy required @ 80% efficiency 0.7 kW

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C. Energy required for compression: 1.) Energy required - 0.9 kW. 2.) Energy required at 80% efficiency - 1.1 kW

D. Total energy required per day (B+C) - 2.5 kW E. Process plant energy (B+C) met by purified gas driven engine: 1.) Rated power of gas engine - 2.5 kW 2.) Purified gas consumption - 0.9 m hG 3.) Gas energy consumed dayG - 245 MJ

F. Net purified gas available for compression and storing in cylinders - 5.4 m hG 1.) Net heat rate available for storing in cylinder - 183.6 MJ hG 2.) Total purified gas per day - 21.6 m dayG. 3.) Net energy available in cylinders - 735 MJ

G. Estimation of cylinders filled with compressed gas: 1.) Total purified gas available at NTP - 21.6 m dayG 2.) Number of cylinders filled in one day - 4 cylinders 3.) Weight of gas in one filled cylinder - 3.5 kg 4.) Energy value per cylinder - 183.6 MJ

Capacities CNG cylinders About 4 such cylinders will be Installation of Biogas bottling plant in the village will filled per day with purified biogas. The energy generate employment for 2 people.

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BIOGAS BASED POWER GENERATION SYSTEM Biogas technology provides an alternative source of energy mainly from organic wastes. It is produced when bacteria degrade organic matter in the absence of air. Biogas contains around 55-65% of methane, 30-40% of carbon dioxide and small quantities of hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen sulphide. The calorific value of biogas is appreciably high (around 4700 kcla or 20 MJ: at around 55% methane content). The gas can effectively be utilized for generation of power through a biogasbased power- generation system after dewatering and cleaning of the gas. In addition, the slurry produced in the process provides valuable organic manure for farming.

Components of a BiogasBased Power Generation System (BPGS) BiogasPlants Gas Cleaning System Engine with alternator Control Panel Machine Room / Shed Manure management system / protocol

Biogas plants Standard KVIC floating drum model (vertical or horizontal type) would be supported.
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The eligible item associated with a biogas plant includes: Digester, gas holder and accessories Feed / slurry handling system (composed pits) with water supply and storage Initial feed Gas outlet

Gas Cleaning System The biogascontains hydrogen disulphide gas. Concentration of hydrogen disulphide in access of 0.1 % is harmful to the engine. Hence it is necessary to remove hydrogen sulphide before the gas is taken to the engines.

Engine with alternator 100% biogasengines Micro-turbines Standard dual fuel engines preferably with bio-diesel in place of diesel.

Control I Monitoring Panel BIS Standard control / monitoring panel would be supported.

Machine Room I Shed A proper machine room with shed would be planned as per standard practices. The biogas generated in the digester, if necessary can be stored in a suitable storage unit or membrane type storage balloon.

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Manure management system I protocol Manure management is an integral part of a biogas based power generation system for arriving at an economically feasible operation level. Marketing strategy of the biogas slurry or the value added bio-manure is required to be defined.

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BIOGAS ENRICHMENT & BOTTLING TECHNOLOGY FOR VEHICULAR USE Biogas is ideally suited for rural applications where required animal or human excreta and agricultural waste are available in plenty. Harnessing such a resource promotes rural industries, agriculture, dairy and animal farming in a sustainable way. This will also increase employment in the rural regions and discourage migration to cities. Biogasis an environment friendly, clean, cheap and versatile fuel. It is produced by anaerobic digestion of degradable wastes such as cattle dung, vegetable wastes, sheep and poultry droppings, municipal solid waste, sewage water, land fill etc. Presently it is mainly used for cooking and lighting purposes in the rural areas. The use of biogas in stationary engines used for different agricultural operations is going on. Its utilization is also easible in automobiles, used for transportation purposes by enriching and compressing it in cylinders. Biogas can be converted in bio CNG after enrichment and bottling. It becomes just like CNG.

Potential of the technology So far, biogashas mostly been used as fuel for cooking and running stationary engines. However, its potential has not fully utilized, yet. There is a great enhancement in its utilization potential particularly where bigger plants are in operation e.g. institutional biogas plants in Goshalas, dairy farms or community biogas plants in villages. Goshalas are running generally on charity basis and most of them are not in sound financial position. Enrichment and bottling of biogas will help to improve it. India has a vast potential of 6.38 X 10 10 cubic meter of biogasper annum from 980 million tonnes of cattle dung produced. A National Project on Biogas Development (NPBD)
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was launched by Government of India in 1981. A total of about 36.5 lakh family biogas plants have been installed under this programme all over the country till Dec. 2004. This is about 30 % of the total 120 lakh family type biogas plants potential. More than 3380 Community Biogas Plants (CBP), Institutional Biogas Plants (IBP) and Night-soil based Biogas Plants (NBP) have been installed all over the country with most reported satisfactory performance levels. The family biogas plants in the country are estimated to be saving 39.6 lakh tonnes of fuel-wood per year. Besides, about 9.2 lakh tonnes of enriched organic manure are being produced every year from these plants. There are a number of Goshalas, dairies, village communities having large number of cattle which have potential of installing biogas enrichment and bottling system. In urban areas, large quantity of biogas can be produced in sewage treatment plants using anaerobic digestion. Okhala Sewage Treatment Plant, New Delhi, is an example where more than 10,000 cubic meter of biogas is produced every day. Due to rising cost of petroleum products and environmental concerns it has become imperative to make use of local resources as an alternate to petroleum fuels. Therefore, worldwide efforts to explore and make use of biogas as an alternate fuel in vehicles should be made.

Biogas composition, properties and utilisation as CNG Biogas comprises of 60-65% methane, 35-40 % carbon dioxide, 0.5-1.0 % hydrogen sulfide and water vapour. It is almost 20% lighter than air. Like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) it cannot be converted to liquid state under normal temperature. Removing carbon dioxide and compressing it into cylinders makes it easily usable for transport applications, say three wheelers, cars, pick up vans etc and also for stationary applications. Already, CNG technology has become easily available and therefore, bio-methane (enriched biogas) which is nearly same as CNG, can be used for all
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applications for which CNG are used.

Biogas enrichment process A variety of processes are available for enrichment i.e. removing CO2 , H2S and water apour. Commonly CO2 removal processes also remove H2S. One of the easiest and cheapest methods involved is the use of pressurized water as an absorbent liquid. In this method, biogas is pressurized and fed to the bottom of a scrubber column where water is sprayed from the top. In counter-currently operated absorption process, the carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide present in the biogasis absorbed in down going water and methane goes up and is collected in vessel. However, water requirement in this process is high but it is the simplest method of removing impurities from biogas.

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PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTION ON BIOGAS In India biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of manure in small-scale digestion facilities is called Gober gas; it is estimated that such facilities exist in over 2 million households.Owing to simplicity in implementation and use of cheap raw materials in villages, it is one of the most environmentally sound energy sources for rural needs. Some designs use vermiculture to further enhance the slurry produced by the biogas plant for use as compost. In an attempt to stem the projected deficit between production and consumption, particularly for the increasing residential sector, which accounts for approximately 10% of total energy use, and provide for an expanding rural sector, the government is pursuing alternative measures of energy provision. However, of particular interest here, in the context of providing a devolved, sustainable energy supply for the burgeoning rural sector in India, is the potential of biogas; the gas created as a product of anaerobic digestion of organic materials. The government views biogas technology as a vehicle to reduce rural poverty, and as a tool in part of a wider drive for rural development. Alternative energy options are promoted by The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which operates under the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES). To promote and disseminate information about biogas technology specifically, the government has organised the National Project on Biogas Development nation-wide, and several NGO's have been active in implementing the programme on the ground. With this in mind, the government agencies involved in designing biogas plants have
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attempted to create plants that could be maintained locally. Currently, there are thought to be about 2.5 million household and community biogas plants installed around India. Case studies from different parts of India will be considered, from construction of biogas plants, to their long term functioning amongst the communities they are designed to serve. Since the 1960's, biogas systems have been implemented in India, but it was in 1981 with the beginning of the sixth 5-year Plan, and the formation of the National Project for Biogas Development (NPBD), when the drive to step up dissemination was taken, perhaps also reflecting the alarm of fuelwood shortages at the time. Currently, there are thought to be about 2.5 million biogas plants installed around the country, though the potential of large-scale implementation of biogas technology remains unrealised. According to MNES, in 1991, the use of electricity for cooking, which includes biogas, only accounted for about 2% and 3% for rural and urban areas respectively, and sharply demonstrates the continued minority status of this alternative fuel. The Tata Research Institute, New Delhi, estimates that 12 million biogas systems in total could be installed over the subcontinent, while GATE, an alternative energy NGO based in Germany, estimates the total potential number of plants that could usefully be employed to be 30 million household-size, and nearly 600,000 community-size plants, one for each village. However, it is not clear on what data these estimates are based on. Nonetheless, there is still enormous potential for biogas technology, and the government continues in its drive for more widespread implementation. However, for biogas to be considered as a viable source of fuel, depends not only on an effective dissemination programme, and extension, but also upon the success of existing plants in the field. Although literature could not be found regarding the success rate of
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the 2.5 million biogas plants installed to date, e.g., how many are fully operational, which may be indicative of a lack of consequent monitoring, it would be instructive to examine the implementation of biogas systems in rural India, to determine how the technology has been received on the ground. Implementation of biogas technology is overseen centrally by MNES, but actual dissemination is devolved to the individual state governments, public corporations, such as KVIC, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and also NGO's. Although there will be differences between states, the general approach to disseminate biogas technology is based on a system of subsidies and concessions, to encourage uptake. Subsidies are granted on plants upto 10m3 (a large family-sized system), and usually for the models recognised by the government, as listed in table 2, though there may be regional differences. Allowances are paid towards investment costs, to every user and for every biogas plant that is installed, in what may be interpreted as a measure of intent to promote biogas technology, and perhaps the most critical instrument in determining initial uptake. The extent of the allowance is dependent on the size of plant, socio-economic status of the user, and geographical region, according to rules worked out by central government. India has been divided into three areas according to altitude; the mountainous north-east is where the highest allowances are paid, perhaps reflecting the commonly held notion that tribal communities are depleting forests. Mountainous, or high altitude areas in other states form the second category, and the remaining states make up the last category. Here, socio-economic status largely determines the size of the allowance, with priorities for scheduled caste and tribe, and smallholders. Landless and marginal farmers are entitled to higher allowances than farmers not in the fore-mentioned groups who have more than five hectares.
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Subsidies certainly appear to have encouraged up take, and participation seems to be high amongst target groups, such as marginal and smallholders. This can be demonstrated in the size and type of digester opted for. Orissa, on the east coast, is one of the poorest states in India, and characterised by smallholders of approximately 1.6 ha, less than the average of other states, and agriculture is the principal industry in Orissa. Therefore, it is not surprising that of all the digesters, the most popular is the smallest capacity fixed-dome Deenbandhu model, at 6m3, which accounts for 84% of all plants installed. Similarly, in Sangli, Maharashtra western India, where there are 345,000 biogas digesters, more than any other state, the same Deenbandhu model accounts for 85% of all systems constructed. NationalBiogas and Manure Management programme (NBMMP)

The programme was started in 1981-82 as the National Project on BiogasDevelopment. Its main objectives are: To provide fuel for cooking purposes and organic manure to rural households through family type biogas plants To mitigate drudgery of rural women, reduce pressure on forests and accentuate social benefits. To improve sanitation in villages by linking sanitary toilets with biogas plants The components of NBMMP include: Indigenously developed models of biogas plants are promoted. States have designated nodal departments and nodal agencies for implementation. Besides, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Mumbai; National Dairy Development Board, Anand (Gujarat), and national and regional level nongovernmental organisations are involved in implementation. Project provides for different types of financial incentives including central subsidy to
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users, turn key job fee to entrepreneurs, service charges to State Nodal Departments / Agencies and support for training and publicity. Various kinds of training programmes are supported. Biogas Development and Training Centres, functioning in nine major States, provide technical and training back up to State Nodal Departments and Nodal Agencies. Commercial and co-operative banks provide loan for setting up of biogas plants under Agriculturally Priority Area. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is providing the facility of automatic refinancing to banks.

Financial Incentives being given during the year 2004-2005 under NBMMP
Category Amount of Central subsidy per plant.

North Eastern Region States and Sikkim(except plain Rs.11,700/areas of Assam) For plain area of Assam Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal Rs.9,000/Rs.4,500/-

(excluding terai region), Nilgiris of Tamilnadu; Sadar (Restricted to Rs 3,500/- for 1 Cu. M Kursoongnd and Kalimpong, Sub-divisions of Darjeeling district (West Bengal), Sunderbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, desert districts, Rs.3,500/small and marginal farmers, land-less labourers, terai (Restricted to Rs 2,800/- for 1 Cu. M regions of Uttaranchal, Western Ghats and other notified hilly areas All Others Rs.2,700/(Restricted to Rs 2,100/- for 1 Cu. M fixed dome type) fixed dome type) fixed dome type)

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THE BIOGASPROGRAMME OF GRAM VIKAS

Gram Vikas is a secular, non-profit voluntary organization working in Orissa with the needy and weaker sections of society, to facilitate their development. It engages in activities aimed at improving the living conditions and the economic standards of the poorest of the poor, particularly tribals, scheduled castes, small and marginal farmers, landless and agricultural labourers. The main emphasis of Gram Vikas work is organising people to become aware of their existential condition, so that they take their destinies into their own hands and work to improve their lives. Full participation of the people is an essential part of such development activities to ensure sustenance of the programme and Gram Vikas withdraws as the people develop. Gram Vikas is also committed to the development and promotion of alternative and more efficient energy source in rural areas. It is governed by a board of outstanding persons with background in law, journalism, social work and trade unionism and is staffed by a team of young, committed and able professionals. Gram Vikas work is divided into two main programmes. The first is an intensive integrated development programme involving the Khond tribals of the Kerandimal hills in southern Ganjam district. The second stream of Gram Vikaswork is a programme promoting energy alternatives. Operating in backward areas throughout Orissa. Part of the work in this area is the promotion of smokeless Chullahs, which are traditional wood burning stoves. In villages all over Orissa, Over 2000 Chullahs have been built and 2,20 people trained in building them. The other thrust of the alternate energy stream is the Biogas programme, now operating in nine districts of Orissa. So when the governmentstarted the National BiogasExtension Programme, Gram Vikas decided to join in the effort. Gram Vikas has adopted a broad-based strategy for it biogas programme, the spread
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of which seen in the various aspects of the programme: Construction of family size plants Construction of night soil plants Construction of institutional plants Construction of large size village community plants Training of biogasengineers, technicians and managers Training of biogasmasons and promoters Training of housewives in the use of biogas Training of farmers in the use of spent slurry Practical research and experimentation with different type of plants in varied conditions and with varied biomass input.

In terms of geographical spread, the work which was originally proposed for to 5 districts spread to all 13 districts, later withdrew to nine districts and within these districts to the locks with a concentration of tribal population. The districts now covered are Kalanhandi, Bolangir, Koraput, Phulbani, Ganjam, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh and Sambalpur. This includes the relatively remote and poorly connected regions of western Orissa. To undertake this work, a staff of 157 persons has been built up, consisting of 120 supervisors, 9 plumbers, 9 office assistants, 12assistant coordinators, 3 zonal coordinators and 5 support staff at the Gram Vikas head office. This team has gained considerable experience in both the technical and organizational aspects of the biogasprogramme. The need now is to restructure the organization to adjust to changing needs, to consolidate the experience gained, and to give continuity to the organisation and work. Gram Vikas personnel do not handle any of the cash that is spent on the plants, the dealings are directly between the
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beneficiary and the other parties. This is to increase the involvement of the beneficiary in the whole process so as to increase his commitment to the plant and is compatible with the role Gram Vikas wishes to adopt, that of a facilitator and not a contractor. At the present time, the effort needed to convince a potential user of biogas about the benefits involved is considerable. The supervisor may need in some cases, to make five or six visits before a person decides he wants a biogas plant. Several more are required to facilitate the purchase of materials, etc. Consequently the expenditure in man-hours and time is very high when considered on a per plant basis. This is in stark contrast to some of the forward states where people queue up to have plants built, and the implementing organizations role is restricted to certification and inspection. The government of India offers a turnkey fee of Rs.300/- to the implementing organization irrespective of the size of the plant or the particulars of the beneficiary. The amount is uniform all over India. This fee is intended to finance turnkey operations for plant construction and also includes two year maintenance and guarantee clauses. This fee, taking into account the areas where Gram Vikas operates, is woefully inadequate. A general restructuring of the organisation is planned, with people being moved from construction to maintenance from the third year onwards, so that after five years of the programme, the emphasis will shift to maintenance of the plants already built. With several thousand more plants being built each year, the awareness and acceptance of biogas is expected to rise over the years. The expectation is that, in five years time it will be possible for independent turnkey operators to build plants financed by the turnkey fee alone. The large pool of skilled and experienced personnel that will have been built up will be able to work independently or with other voluntary organizations, to promote biogas all over the state. A technological development anticipated is that of plants operating on any biomass, including vegetation. This will widen the class of
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potential users to include people not owning cattle. Gram Vikas would promote such plants in a major way, and the experience gained by personnel in this programme could be put to use to promote the new technology. The personnel will have gained considerable field experience in motivation, training and other allied skills and will be an invaluable resource for any challenging area of developmental activity into which Gram Vikas will move.

BIOGAS BASED POWER GENERATION PROGRAMME

Biogas based power units can be a reliable decentralized power generation option in the country. In order to promote this route of power generation, specially in the small capacity range, based on the availability of large quantity of annual wastes and wastes from forestry, rural based industries (agro/food processing), kitchen wastes, etc; a number of projects of different capacities and applications will be taken up for refining the technical know-how, developing manpower and necessary infrastructure, establishing a proper arrangement of operation & maintenance and large scale dissemination. The projects to be taken up by any village level organization, institution, private entrepreneurs etc. in rural areas as well as areas covered under the Remote Village Electrification (RVE) programme of MNRE other than the industries and commercial establishments covered under Urban, Industrial & Commercial Applications (UICA) programmes for sale of electricity to individual/community/grid etc. on mutually agreeable terms. The implementing organizations must ensure that sufficient feed materials for biogas plants are available on sustainable basis and the beneficiary organization gives an undertaking that the plant would be maintained and operated for a minimum period of ten years. The details of the scheme for projects related to Biogas based Power Generation Programme are given in. The central
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financial assistance for such projects will be limited to a maximum of Rs.30000 to 40000 per kW depending upon capacity of the power generating projects in the range of 3 KW to 250 kW limited to 40% of the plant cost. The details of Central Financial assistance provided are given at The programme provides support for a variety of workshops, seminars, meetings, training programmers to the implementing agencies/specialized organizations/ Biogas Development & Training Centers (BDTCs) for developing the required specifications and standards, discussions/deliberations on the performance of systems, setting up operation and maintenance mechanism, training of required manpower, capacity building, business meets for the prospective industries, etc. with the ultimate objective of promotion of power generation based on biogasin the country.

The quantum of financial assistance to be provided by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE ) for conducting these programmers will be decided on the basis of nature & duration of the programme, number of participants, etc. The maximum assistance, however, is limited to Rs.100,000 per event.

BIOGAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME The Government of Madhya Pradesh has appointed as Nodal Agency for the development of biogas programme in the State of Madhya Pradesh. The Corporation has so far installed 1,72,064 family type biogas plants against the estimated potential of 14,91,000 plants in the State. In view of the potential exists, the Corporation has made a quantum jump in the installation of biogas plants, i..e. about 8600 plants per year OBJECTIVES: Objectives of Biogas Development Programme are follows:34

1.To provide fuel for cooking purpose and organic manure to rural households through biogas plants; 2.To mitigate drudgery of rural women, reduce pressure on forest and accentuate social benefits; 3.To recycle human waste through linking of toilets with biogas plants for improving sanitation. A total of 151070 family type biogas plants have been installed in the State against the estimated potential of 14,91,200 biogas plants. Thus the coverage of potential achieved so far is about 10%. Till the year 85-86, 20133 biogas plants were installed in the State and from the year 85-86 till 97-98, 106767 plants have been installed by this Corporation. The cost of biogas plants varies according to model and retention period, capacity, market prices of construction materials and labour cost. On an average, estimated cost of a common 2 cubic meter capacity family type Fixed Dome Deenbandhu Biogas Plant is about Rs. 8,500/-.

CENTRAL SUBSIDY

TOTAL SUBSIDY PAYABLE TO BENEFICIARIES

S.NO CAPA- SC/ST SMF/LL GEN. SC/ST SMF/LL GEN. CITY 1 1 CUM 2300 2300 1800 2300 2300 2000

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2 3 4

2 CUM 2300 3 CUM 2300 4 TO 10CUM 2300

2300 2300 2300

1800 3000 1800 3300 1800 3300

3000 2300 2300

2200 2400 2400

An additional subsidy of Rs. 500/- is provided for cattle dung based biogas plants linked with sanitary toilets.1.5 PROGRAMME FOR 2004-05 Target of 12,000 biogas plants has been fixed by MNES for this State.

CONCLUSION

Biogasis a potential renewable energy source for rural Pakistan. Biogas generation and subsequent bottling will cater the energy needs of rural industries in villages, supply enriched manure and maintain village sanitation. The bottling system will work as a decentralize source of power with uninterrupted supply using local resources, generate ample opportunities for employment in rural areas and income of the people through setting of rural industries. The model bottling plant could save 240 liters diesel per day. It should be replicated at mass scale for the development of villages.

LBG will definitely make a good alternative fuel, if produced and used wisely. Sooner or later, we have to find an alternative way to petroleum. The growing dependence of petroleum is necessary to be contained otherwise our future generations will just find it in mere books and other scraps! If the government sponsored and supports the activities related to development and research on LBG and Biogas, the scientists and people will surely praise this effort. The growing population also leads to growing
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traffic, and hence, running vehicles on LBG will be in great demand in the future, as people will have to look for another thing than petrol and diesels, whose prices are already sky-high.

Producing LBG may be a difficulty in the beginning, but later, as no other source would have been left, we would have to use it. The government must support all activities related to production of Biogas and LBG, so that people are relieved in this modernized and globalized world of inflation. The inflation rate is already too high. Moreover, the sector will also provide employment to people. Cost of LBG cylinders may be high than LPG in the beginning, but as the demand will increase, rate of productivity will also increase, and hence, the rates may go down. Compressing biogas and filling it in cylinders, just like LPG, must be tried, and if its successful, must be put into practice on a large scale. Last but not least, LETS MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN! Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Remove Access|Powered By Google Sites

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