Reduces water consumption Diaphragm pump using solar energy
An engineering student from Nagpur pursuing further education abroad, has developed biogas production using dry anaerobic (without oxygen) digestion technology, to save water and produce energy for the rural areas. The research started with the observation that the traditional biogas units in rural areas were closed due to non-availability of adequate water.
The new technique helps in increasing production of biogas and also use of diaphragm pump for purification and storage of the gas. The pump operates on battery which can be easily charged using solar power. Ankit Patil, presently a student at Institute of Energy and Transport System, Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University, Russia explained that the objective of the study was to produce biogas using anaerobic digestion, diaphragm pump for purification and storage of biogas and also promoting solar energy to charging the battery.
Thus renewable energy - biogas, which can be produced using various kind of organic waste widely available in rural area; promoting use of solar energy for charging battery and also saving water required in traditional biogas plants. The digester produces methane (50 to 75%), Carbon Dioxide (25-45%), Nitrogen (less than 2%) water vapour or moisture (2-7%) and Hydrogen Sulphide (20,000 ppm). Methane is combustible and used for various purpose.
The rotten egg like smell is because of Hydrogen Sulphide, which is less than 1%. There are methods of removing Hydrogen Sulphide and also Carbon Dioxide. Moisture present is responsible for corrosion of metallic parts in the plant and can be removed using silica gel. Ankit has successfully experimented with the technique and stated that very less water is used in dry anaerobic digestion method in the airtight container. Anaerobic bacteria solution is added to the waste like cattle dung, waste food, plant leaves, agriculture waste, etc. The advantages are - High gas production; small compact digester; very less water consumption; low energy demand in material handling; flexible adjustment for variable filling level in digester; and reduced duration for production of biogas. Ankit is keen on promoting the new technique which can be used by the villagers, so that energy with very less requirement of water and also use of solar energy can be useful to them.
