What is biogas energy? How Does Biogas Power Plant Work?

What is biogas energy? How Does Biogas Power Plant Work?

Biogas is a kind of biofuel that is naturally produced from decomposition of organic waste. When organic materials such as vegetable, animal, domestic and industrial wastes break down in an oxygen-free environment, they release a gas mixture, primarily methane and carbon dioxide. Since this decomposition occurs in an anaerobic environment, the biogas production process is also known as anaerobic digestion.

Anaerobic digestion is a natural waste energy that uses the fermentation process to break down organic matter. Because of the high methane content in the biogas (typically 50-75%), biogas is flammable and therefore produces a deep blue flame and can be used as an energy source.

As a result of the processing of biomass in biogas plants, basically three kinds of outputs are obtained.

1- Electrical energy

2- Heat

3- Organic fertilizer

 

How Biogas Power Plants Work?

There are several types of biogas systems designed for efficient use of biogas. Although each model differs depending on input, output, size and type, the biological process that converts organic waste into biogas is the same.

The organic materials are firstly mixed homogeneously. Inorganic materials such as stone, metal and plastic are separated in the mixture. The mixture is comminuted on a cell basis and crushed and fed to the digester tanks.

The wastes fed to the digestion chamber are kept in an oxygen-free environment. Micro-organisms allow the decomposition of waste and biogas. As a result of the fermentation process, oxygen, methane gas and carbon dioxide are produced. The resulting biogas is converted to electrical energy by burning in gas generators.

Biogas Ecology

Biogas is known as an environmentally friendly energy source because it simultaneously reduces two main environmental problems:

• It destroys the global waste outbreak that releases hazardous methane gas every day.
• Provides renewable energy instead of fossil fuel to meet global energy demand.

By converting organic wastes into energy, it is to convert natural materials into efficient resources. Biogas production reduces waste materials that may pollute solid waste landfills.

Prevents the spread of toxic chemicals in wastewater treatment plants and by processing waste on site, saving money, energy and materials.