WHY BIOGAS?
Biogas, which is produced by the decomposition of organic substances in an oxygen-free environment with enzymes secreted by microorganisms, is a renewable energy source.
What is biogas?
Biogas is a colorless and odorless gas, which is lighter than air and burns with a bright blue flame. The main constituents of biogas are methane and carbon dioxide, followed by lesser amounts of hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen and hydrogen. The feces of animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and chickens, slaughterhouse wastes, herbal wastes such as finely chopped stalks, straws, stubble and corn, urban and industrial wastes with organic contents, and sewage sludge can be used as raw materials to obtain biogas. Such substances turn into biogas, a clean and efficient energy source, as a result of hydrolysis, acid formation and methane formation processes.
Biogas is an environmentally friendly energy source and can be produced in various capacities, ranging from family and farm-type production to industrial scale. This biofuel is increasingly used in the world for purposes such as heating, motor fuel, and as a turbine fuel for producing electricity and heat.
According to the World Biogas Association (WBA) data, more than 50 million micro-scale biogas reactors (digesters) and 132 thousand small, medium or large-scale biogas enterprises operate in the world, mainly in China and India. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) data, electricity production from biogas has increased by 90% in the last six years.
Calorific value of biogas
The amount of heat provided by 1 cubic meter of biogas is between 4,700-5,700 kcal; equivalent to 0.62 liters of kerosene, 0.66 liters of diesel, 0.75 liters of gasoline, 1.46 kg of charcoal, 3.47 kg of wood, 12.3 kg of manure and 0.43 kg of butane gas, and 4.70 kWh of electrical energy.
Usage areas of biogas and its by-products
The burning characteristic of biogas is due to the methane gas in its composition. When biogas mixes with air at a ratio of 1/7, complete combustion occurs. Biogas can be used in ovens and stoves, for heating water and general heating purposes.
Biogas can be used in lighting both by direct combustion and by converting it into electrical energy. In addition, it can be used directly in engines operating with gasoline without the need for any additives, or in diesel engines by mixing with diesel fuel.
The most valuable by-product obtained in biogas production is fermented organic fertilizer; it can be used directly in the farm as a liquid or it can be turned into granules. The main advantage of organic fertilizer obtained as a result of fermentation is the destruction of most of the pathogenic microorganisms due to anaerobic fermentation. This feature makes the organic fertilizer much more fertile. In addition, as a result of biogas production, the odor of the animal manure is not felt, and the weed seeds that can be found in animal manure lose their germination feature.
Benefits of biogas production
- Biogas technology allows both to obtain energy from organic origin waste/residual materials and to recycle the wastes to the soil.
- It is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly source of energy and fertilizers.
- Provides waste recovery. The negative effects of organic wastes on human health, environment, earth’s surface and underground water resources are largely eliminated.
- Contributes to the fight against global warming thanks to less greenhouse gas emission to the atmosphere.
- Reduces the use of chemicals to fight flies and insects.
