1. Biomass:- What is it?

Biomass is a natural product of Solar energy and a renewable source of carbon and hydrogen which are basic constituents of energy and chemical products. The term bomass include all plant life-trees, agricultural plants, bush grass etcand organic waste. 1.1 Biomass Energy Conversion Techniques: The energy content in the biomass can be extracted by various methods. The selection of the technology would depend on evarious factors such as Type of Biomass, End Use, Energy content, Location( Urban/Rural) etc The below table shows various methods availble for energy conversion-

1.3 1.3.1

Classification of Technologies Direct Method In this type technology the fuel will be directly burned to produce energy. Different types of direct Methods are:

a. Incerination/ Combustion Mass Burning of Biomass in presence of excess air Similar to Conventional Fossil Power plants Conversion Biomass to electricity Used for thermal and electricity applications Old technology and is not widely practiced today due to production of Harmful gases.

b. Combined Heat and Power Used in Cogeneration cylces where thermal and electrical power is required. Improves Thermal Power Plant Efficiency Suitable for sugar industry c. Biofuels Liquid biofuels include pure plant oil, biodiesel, and bioethanol. Biodiesel is based on esterification of plant oils. Ethanol is primarily derived from sugar, maize, and other starchy crops. Several processes exist to convert feedstocks and raw materials into biofuels. Firstgeneration biofuels refer to the fuels that are produced through well-known processes such as cold pressing/ extraction, transesterification, hydrolysis and fermentation, and chemical synthesis. The resultingfuels have been derived from sources such as starch, sugar, animal fats, and vegetable oil Second-generation biofuels are produced through more advanced processes, including hydro treatment, advanced hydrolysis and fermentation, and gasification and synthesis. They are in Research stage. Can be used for Transportation segment. Reduces the dependence on fossil fuels for Vehicles. Requires large amount of land for the commercial production of Biofuel. Farmers may be attracted to cultivation of biofuels thus affecting the cultivation of edible crops.

d. Cooking and Related Applications Biomass densification or briquetting. This is the process of compacting loose biomass feedstocks into a uniform dense form, producing a higher quality fuel. reduced emissions,and greater control for residential and industrial applications. Briquettes offereasier transport, storage, and mechanical handling in both household andindustrial settings. Stalks, husks, bark, straw, shells, pits, seeds, sawdustvirtually any solid organic byproduct of agricultural or silvicultural harvestingcan be used as a feedstock.

 Biomass wastes with relatively low moisture content (less than 15%) are most suitable for efficient production of briquettes. Ethanol gel. Ethanol gel is a clean-burning fuel that consists of gelatinized ethanol bound in a cellulose thickening agent and water

1.3.2 Indirect Method a. Gasification Conversion of Biomass to Synthesis Gas, which can be used for power generation Incomplete Oxidation of Biomass which produces carbonmonoxide, hydrogen, Methane and other hydrocarbons Better than Incerination as harmful gases produced is less. Syngas can be used to run IC engine, fuel for Boiler, Energy produced can be stored in form of ethanol, gas, etc..

b.

Anaerobic Digestion Fermentation of bio degradable subjects Suitable for household wastes Biogas produced can be used locally for house hold cooking purposes. Large numbers of small scale Biogas Digesters have been used throughout many developing countries.

c. Biorefineries A biorefinery involves the co-production of a spectrum of bio-based products (food, feed, materials, chemicals) and energy(fuels, power, heat) from biomass . A biorefinery is a facility that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce fuels, power, and value-added chemicals from biomass. Analogous to petroleum refinery.

d. Biochar Biochar is a fine-grained charcoal high in organic carbon and largely resistant to decomposition.Biochar is produced by heating biomass in the absence (or under reduction) of air, or pyrolysis. Low-cost, small-scale bio char production units can produce biochar to build garden, agricultural, and forest productivity, and bioenergy for eating, cooking.

1.4 Prospective Projects: Small scale biogas plants can be installed in rural houses which can be used as cooking gas Biomass gasification plants can be used for rural electrification- Decentralized power generation Large scale cultivation of biofuel plants in waste land. Biofuels can replace fossil fuels for transportation Co generation using biomass should be made mandatory in industries to improve plant efficiency. Agricultural wastes should used for power generation thereby improving the earnings of farmers.

2. Waste to Energy Systems 2.1 Potiential of Waste to Energy Systems in India- Overview About 115000 tons of solid waste is generated per day in the country. This figure could be twice as much by 2020. Municipal solid waste is a potential source for recyclable and inert materials and can produce value added products, in addition to energy recovery. Business opportunities in waste to energy exist in all three stages of waste to energy Waste Transportation, Waste Management Facilities, and Waste Processing for Energy Recovery. Indian government actively encourages private sector participation in MSW value chain through a variety of business and operational models. Currently, biomethanation and incineration are the most prevalent and mature technologies for MSW to energy in India. Gasification and pyrolysis are the emerging technologies. Inadequate segregation at source, sub-optimal regulations and incentives, inadequate treatment facilities and immature technologies are some of the key challenges in this sector. Key success factors in waste to energy include optimal technology, efficient operations, focus on costs, and emphasis on environmental protection. 2.2 Waste to Energy Conversion Technologies The most significant WTE technologies are based on biological or thermal methods. It is essential that technologies identified, based on evaluation criteria consisting of technical, commercial and environmental aspects, are employed for the WTE projects. 2.2.1 Basic Techniques of Energy Recovery from Waste Energy can be recovered from the organic fraction of waste (biodegradable as well as nonbiodegradable) through thermal, thermo-chemical and biochemical methods. A brief description of the commonly applied technologies for energy generation from waste is as follows a. Anaerobic Digestion/Biomethanation

In this process, the organic fraction of the waste is segregated and fed into a closed container (biogas digester). In the digester, the segregated waste undergoes biodegradation in presence of methanogenic bacteria and under anaerobic conditions, producing methane-rich biogas and effluent. The biogas can be used either for cooking/heating applications, or for generating motive power or electricity through dual-fuel or gas engines, low-pressure gas turbines, or steam turbines. The sludge from anaerobic digestion, after stabilization, can be used as a soil conditioner. It can even be sold as manure depending upon its composition, which is determined mainly by the composition of the input waste. b. Combustion/Incineration In this process, wastes are directly burned in presence of excess air (oxygen) at high temperatures (about 800C), liberating heat energy, inert gases, and ash. Combustion results in transfer of 65%80% of heat content of the organic matter to hot air, steam, and hot water. The steam generated, in turn, can be used in steam turbines to generate power. c. Pyrolysis/Gasification Pyrolysis is a process of chemical decomposition of organic matter brought about by heat. In this process, the organic material is heated in absence of air until the molecules thermally break down to become a gas comprising smaller molecules (known collectively as syngas). Gasification can also take place as a result of partial combustion of organic matter in presence of a restricted quantity of oxygen or air. The gas so produced is known as producer gas. The gases produced by pyrolysis mainly comprise carbon monoxide (25%), hydrogen and hydrocarbons (15%), and carbon dioxide and nitrogen (60%). The next step is to clean the syngas or producer gas. Thereafter, the gas is burned in internal combustion (IC) engine generator sets or turbines to produce electricity. d. Landfill Gas recovery The waste dumped in a landfill becomes subjected, over a period of time, to anaerobic conditions. As a result, its organic fraction slowly volatilizes and decomposes, leading to production of landfill gas, which contains a high percentage of methane (about 50%). It can be used as a source of energy either for direct heating/cooking applications or to generate power through IC engines or turbines.

2.2.1 MSW to energy Systems-Overview

2.2.1.1 Comparison of various methods

2.3 Industrial Waste to Energy The technologies, identified for conversion of different types of industrial waste in to energy are given as: 1 Liquids Biomethanation 2 Solids Gasification/Pyrolysis, Incineration/Combustion 3 Semi-solids Biomethanation, Gasification/Pyrolysis,Incineration/Combustion

Source: Technical Memorandum on Waste-to-Energy Technologies, February 2003

Methods to Convert Non Hazardous Waste to Energy Industries Sugar Mills Prominent Wastes Generated Sugar bagasses Pressmud Sugar molasses Fermentative Yeast biomass Treatment Option Application Combustion Gasification Composting Fermentation Biomethanation and Heat and Power Fertilizer Ethanol synthesis Biogas production & digestate Biogas production & digestate Biogas production & digestate Heat and power and Heat and power Biogas production & digestate Biogas production & digestate

Slaughter houses

Organs, Tissues, Blood, Hides, Biomethanation Animal excreta and Carcass etc Pulp Biomethanation

Paper mills

Paper shavings

Combustion

Wood wastes and Paper boards Combustion gasification Dairy Plants Whey and Milk cream

Biomethanation

Sago factories

Starch materials and peels

Biomethanation

Tanneries

Hides and skins

Acid treatments Biogas production & and digestate biomethanation Biomethanation Biogas production & digestate Biogas production & digestate

Animal Husbandries

Animal excreta and body fluids

Fruits and vegetable Pulp wastes processing units

Biomethanation

Analysis of Key Aspects of Waste to Energy Technologies Criteria A Feedstock Incineration Anaerobic Digestion Gasification/Pyrolysis

Industrial
Liquid Solid Not suitable Suitable Not suitable Suitable Suitable Suitable Suitable Not suitable Suitable Suitable Suitable Suitable Not suitable Suitable Not suitable Suitable Suitable Suitable

Urban
Liquid Solid

Farm
Poultry Cattle B

Technology features

Technology status
Industrial Urban Farm Energy efficiency C Proven Proven Proven 85-90% (Based calorific value) Complex Proven Proven Proven on 50-60% (Based volatiles) Simple Good Yes Emerging Emerging Proven on 90-95% (Based calorific value) Complex Low Yes on

Operating conditions System configuration Modular

Process Flexibility Low Yes D Capital, O & M costs

Relative cost O&M Commercial viability

capital Very high High

Medium-high Low

Very High Limited Varies considerably

Less viable than others Readily viable owing to costly downstream air pollution control Low (5%) Compact

Captive power Significant (25-30%) requirements Area requirements Elaborate E Environmental impacts

Variable (5-20%) Compact Can be controlled to a significant extent

Can be minimized, but Minimum requires expensive technology investments Not fully satisfactory Satisfactory

Socio-economic impacts Public acceptability Waste disposal Satisfactory Complete, except for ash

Complete, except for Complete except for ash to landfill. sludge stabilization