What is a Biogas Plant?

A biogas plant is a biological active system designed to accelerate biodegradation of organic waste by anaerobic digestion. In the process, biogas is produced and recovered for utilization instead of being emitted into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.  Biogas consists of 50 – 70% methane and the balance mostly carbon dioxide. The remaining digestate is a valuable organic fertilizer. Thus, the system recycles organic waste and enables full utilization of its energy content.

Organic wastes that can be used as raw material for a biogas plant are as follows:

1)      Livestock farm manure and slaughterhouse waste

2)      Fruit and vegetable market wastes

3)      All kinds of food processing waste

4)      Palm oil mill effluent (POME)

5)      Garden and household food wastes

The benefits of a biogas plant are as follows:

1)   Environmental protection – helps to reduce emission of greenhouse gases (mainly methane, CO²) into the atmosphere

2)      Biogas produced can be upgraded to biomethane and used as fuel for cooking, heating, or fuel for NGVs         

3)      Biogas can also be used to run a gas engine or turbine to generate electricity.

4)      The process reduces organic waste to a valuable bio-fertilizer and thus recycles them back  the soil.

5)   When integrated into a food processing, livestock framing or palm oil mill operations, it would enhance their profitability and also at the same time, contribute to environmental protection via reduced GHG emission.