Biogas: Submitted To: Sir Rauf Akhter

BIOGAS
Submitted To:
Sir Rauf Akhter
Submitted By:
Zain Abbaas Khokhar
2011-ME-116
Muhammad Ahmed Shaikh
2011-ME-120
Section - B
Department Of Mechanical Engineering
University Of Engineering And Technology, Lahore
Letter of
Authorization
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To whom it may concerns,

This is to certify that Mr. Zain Abbaas Khokhar and Mr. Muhammad Ahmed Shaikh are
authorized to research about Biogas.
The purpose of this assignment is to integrate the material they have learned about the concerned
topic into a coordinated report and presentation and to allow students to think beyond the barriers
of primitive textbooks knowledge.
They will make a research report and will discuss about every intricate detail about the
renewable energy source biogas. They will be provided with every facility they demand for.
Report will be submitted on December 20, 2012.
Signature and official

stamp
Letter Of Transmittal
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Sir Rauf Akhter

Department of Humanities,
U.E.T Lahore.
December 20, 2012
Respected Sir,
We have made this research report because many of the people do not know
about renewable energy source biogas. This research report on the Biogas gives you an idea
about the benefits and advantages of biogas. There are many different renewable energy sources
but the most beneficial and cheapest is the biogas that is the main reason we are focusing on the
biogas. There are also disadvantages along the advantages of everything which are also
mentioned in this report but there are very less as compared to the advantages of biogas. In this
report we also mention the rapid development and progress of biogas around the world. We also
mention its development and its project working in our country Pakistan. We tried our level
best that the reader should get a clear point of view from this research report.
With best regards,
Yours obediently,
Zain Abbaas Khokhar
Muhammad Ahmed Shaikh
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
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Bio-Gas Plant In Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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Biogas-and-Anaerobic-Digesters
Information about Biogas Plant In Pakistan
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Bio gas is made from organic waste matter after it is decomposed
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...9
INTRODUCTION10
COMPOSITION OF BIOGAS11
GENERAL PROPERTIES OF BIOGAS...13
BIOGAS PLANT..13
Parts Of Bio-Gas Generator Or Biogas Plant..15
Operation Of Biogas Plants.16
FEED MATERIAL FOR BIOGAS PLANT...19
PRODUCTIVITY OF BIOGAS FEED STOCKS.19
APPARATUS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS..20
TYPES OF BIOGAS PLANTS.21
DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANTS...29
FACTORS AFFECTING BIOGAS PRODUCTION..33
EFFECT OF METALS ON BIOGAS PRODUCTION..34
ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATIONS.34
DISADVANTAGES...41
BIOGAS A SOURCE OF ALTERNATE ENERGY..42
BIOGAS POTENTIAL IN PAKISTAN..44
o Main Points Of Biogas Potential In Pakistan...46
o Pakistan Domestic Biogas Programme46
o Geographic scope of the project and partners.47
o Salient features of the project48
o Achievements of the project...49
o List of operational Large size Biogas Plants in Pakistan51
DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE WORLD.55
BEST OPTION FOR FUTURE...60
CONCLUSIONS....62
RECOMMENDATIONS...63
BIBLIOGRAPHY..64
APPENDIX.65
RESEARCH TOOL...67
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Executive Summary
Biogas is one of the main sources of renewable energy produced by the anaerobic fermentation
of biomass. This energy is extensively used globally as energy source. Biogas is similar to
natural gas having methane as a main component except in natural gas it is 99 % but methane
presence in biogas is 60-65 %. The rest having other gases.
Biogas plants are appropriate to the technical abilities and economic capacity of Third World
farmers. Biogas technology is extremely appropriate to the ecological and economic demands of
the future. Biogas technology is progressive. The economic benefit of a biogas plant is greater
than that of most competing investments.
Being an agro-livestock based economy; Pakistan has huge resources of biomass that are
available in the form of crop residues, dung and feces, poultry litter, sugarcane and wood.
Biogas has vast potential as source of energy to overcome the energy crisis. Biogas helps reduce
CO2 emission, thus contributing towards reduction in environmental pollution. Its physical
properties are comparable with natural gas. Biogas not only fulfill cooking needs but also
produces organic fertilizer which is good for the agriculture land in addition to substitute for
feed.The Government has formed a council for renewable energy technology named as Pakistan
Council for Renewable Energy technology (PCRET).Which is working for the development of
the biogas plants in the country. With the energy crisis in Pakistan getting worse day by day,
biogas plants in rural areas can play a major role in decreasing the burden on the national energy
grids. Even in the developed countries like UK, biogas plants are being built and encouraged
with the help of government funds and many other incentives. In our neighboring country India,
there are almost two million biogas plants. Electricity generation using biomass is one of the
most convenient options, approximately 9 Giga Watts of electricity is generated from biomass
worldwide.
A biogas plant supplies energy and fertilizer. It improves hygiene and protects the environment.
A biogas plant lightens the burden on the State budget and improves working conditions for the
house wife. A biogas plant is a modern energy source. A biogas plant improves life in the
country.Unlike conventional gas power plants bio gas has no environmental hazards and
handling aspects. As it is a renewable energy resource hence it is profitable. It is cheaper than all
other energy resources so it is best fit for the alternate energy resource in future. Mostly countries
are installing the biogas plants on commercial level.
Introduction
Everyone is talking about biogas - politicians and ecologists, technicians and economists,
laymen and experts. Biogas has become fashionable.
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Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the
absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and
kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas. Biogas originates from
biogenic material and is a type of bio fuel. Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion or
fermentation of biodegradable materials such as biomass, manure, sewage, municipal waste,
green waste, plant material,and crops. Biogas comprises primarily methane and carbon dioxide
and may have small amounts of hydrogen sulphide, moisture and siloxanes.
The energy crisis of the next few years is the shortage of fuel for the daily needs of millions of
people. Simple biogas plants are intended to help solve this problem. It is time to set about this
task in a "professional" manner in the best sense of this word.
Simple biogas plants are complicated enough to require total involvement with their specific
technology. After all, a biogas plant can only help to solve the problems of the future if it works.
Simple biogas plants have been constructed in Third World countries for about thirty years. We
have been able to learn from the biogas pioneers for thirty years.
Biogas plants are appropriate to the technical abilities and economic capacity of Third World
farmers. Biogas technology is extremely appropriate to the ecological and economic demands of
the future. Biogas technology is progressive.
Agriculture has remained the basis of the Pakistans economy as it provides employment to 45
percent population and provides input for agro based industry. The major limiting factor is
energy which is responsible for the impede in developing economies. In Pakistan almost 20% of
the foreign exchange is spent on import of fossil fuels. Careful estimates show that by 2050 Pakistans
energy needs are expected to increase three times while, the supplies are not very inspiring . It is
necessary that any alternate source of energy preferably renewable energy resource must be
explored and implemented. Thus biogas is the most favorable, cheaper and easily available
resource of the energy. All the rural areas in Pakistan almost have the agro waste which can be
used as a raw material for the manufacturing of biogas. Expenses on these conventional
resources can be easily exchanged with a better and efficient resource of renewable energy, i.e.
biogas.
In just the past one hundred and fifty years, humans have entered onto a path
drastically different than anything we have known in the past. We have developed and embraced
modern technologies, and with these a new way of life. This boom in new technologies has been
driven and made possible by energy in the form of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels come from plant and
animal matter deposits that are millions and millions of years old. They have very high-energy
potentials (one pound of coal contains 13000 Btu and therefore are excellent for our needs. The
most utilized of these forms are coal, petroleum and natural gas. All over the world fossil fuels
are being extracted at a faster and faster rate as the world's energy demands increase. This
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presents a large problem because fossil fuels are not renewable within a practical timescale, since
they take millions of years to form. According to estimated calculations based on current
consumption (not taking into account the escalation of need that the increasing world population
would demand) the world's supplies of fossil fuels have already peaked and will run out
sometime in this century. Another problem with the large-scale use of these fuels are their
negative effects on the environment. To access and use the energy held in fossil fuels, we burn
them using the heat energy released to do work. A variety of pollutants are part of the byproducts
of this process.These byproducts include carbon dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, particulate matter and etc.These substances are damaging the atmosphere. Beyond the
poisonous qualities many of these have, many are green house gasses, contributing tremendously
to the very real and present global warming.On the other hand it is biogas which is produced
from the organic waste materials. Biogas is safe and useful for cooking, heating and
lighting.There are not so much harmful byproducts and dangerous gases produced from biogas
as there are produced from other fuels so there is no problem of environmental pollution in case
of biogas. It can also be a source of electricity. Economic benefits are very evident in this project.
Methane gas, an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), since calorific value of methane
gas produced is better than the LPG's, electricity that (when the methane is converted
mechanically) can light 250houses as it produces 260 kWh per day electric generation on the
average of 200 watts per house and liquid fertilizer.
Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by breakdown of organic matter in the absence of
oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal fences, and kitchen waste
can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas. Biogas originates from biogenic material and
is a type of bio fuel. Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion or fermentation of
biodegradable materials such as biomass, manure, sewage, municipal waste, green waste, plant
material, and crops. Biogas comprises primarily methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and
may have small amounts of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), moisture and siloxanes.
COMPOSITION OF BIOGAS
Biogas is primarily a mixture of methane (CH4) and inert carbonic gas (CO2).It also contain
many other components but the main co ere quantity is very less as compared to methane and
carbonic gas so these are the components. The other components include
1Nitrogen (N2)
2 Oxygen (O2)
3 Hydrogen (H2)
4 Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
Biogas typically has methane concentrations around 50%. Advanced waste treatment
technologies can produce biogas with 5575% methane. The concentration of methane in biogas
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can be increased to 80-90% by using gas purification techniques. Biogas also contains water
vapour. The fractional volume of water vapor is a function of biogas temperature. In some cases,
biogas contains siloxanes. These siloxanes are formed from the anaerobic decomposition of
materials commonly found in soaps and detergents. During combustion of biogas containing
siloxanes, silicon is released and can combine with free oxygen or various other elements.
Deposits are formed containing mostly silica (sio2) or silicates (SIxOy). There are many other
deposits which are formed during the formation of biogas like calcium, sulfur, zinc, phosphorus.
There are many other Practical and cost-effective technologies to remove siloxanes and other
biogas contaminants are currently available. These deposits can be removed by chemical or
mechanical means. The concentration of carbon dioxide in biogas is around 25-50%.The
concentration of nitrogen in biogas is around 0-10%. The concentration of hydrogen in biogas is
around 0-1%. The concentration of hydrogen sulphide in biogas is around 0-3%. The
concentration of oxygen in biogas is around 0-0.5%
Typical composition of biogas

Compound
Chemical
Percentage
Formula
Methane
CH4
5075
Carbon dioxide
CO2
2550
Nitrogen
N2
010
Hydrogen
H2
01
Hydrogen sulphide
H2S
03
Oxygen
O2
00.5
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Graphical representation of typical composition of biogas
GENERAL PROPERTIES OF BIOGAS
It is non-poisonous in nature.
It has no offensive smell.
It burns with a clean blue soot less flame.
Its critical pressure is 42 atm. And temp. is 82 C.
Its caloric value is 4700-6000 kcal/m^3 (20-24 MJ/m^3).
Its thermal efficiency in a standard burner is 60%.
BIOGAS PLANT
A biogas plant is an anaerobic digester that produces biogas from animal wastes or energy crops.
Energy crops are cheap crops grown for the purpose of biofuels, rather than food. Biofuels are
liquid, gaseous, or solid fuel made from live or recently dead organic material known as biomass,
as opposed to fossil fuels, which are composed of ancient biological materials. Biogas is a type
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of biofuel created via anaerobic, or oxygen-free, digestion of organic matter by bacteria. A biogas
plant is composed of a digester and a gas holder.
The digester is an airtight container in which the waste is dumped and decomposed, and the gas
holder is a tank that harnesses the gases emitted by the slurry. Bacteria within the digester tank
breaks down the waste and, as it decomposes, gases such as carbon monoxide, methane,
hydrogen, and nitrogen, are released. Through a pressurized system, the gas holder conducts the
flow of these gases upward into a hole in its drum. The hole is specially designed to allow gases
to pass freely into the holder while prohibiting any gases from escaping back into the digester. In
a controlled environment, the gases are later combusted, or reacted, with oxygen to create an
energy source for such processes as heating and vehicle propulsion.
Construction of a biogas plant may vary depending on the amount of gas needed, the amount of
waste at hand, and whether the digester is designed for batch feeding or continuous feeding.
Batch feeding systems use mostly solid wastes that are added to the tank in installments, and
continuous feeding models feed mostly liquids to the digester. A biogas plant may be constructed
either above or below ground, with advantages and disadvantages to both models. An above
ground biogas plant is easier to maintain and benefits from solar heating, but takes more care in
construction because it must be built to handle the internal pressure of the digester. A below
ground biogas plant is cheaper to construct and easier to feed, but is more difficult to maintain.
To facilitate fast decomposition with optimal gas production, digesters are often kept between the
temperatures of 29C and 41C (84.2F-105.8F). In an attempt to neutralize the slurry, more
acidic carbon dioxide, which is a desired gas, will be created. The slurry within the tank must
also be frequently stirred to prevent a hard crust from forming on top of the waste. A crust can
trap the gases within the slurry and impede the machinerys ability to harness the gases.
Biogas is increasingly preferred to fossil fuels, or fuels made from ancient organic matter like
coal or oil. Carbon, in small amounts, is a vital component of a healthy atmosphere, but becomes
problematic when too much is added into circulation. The carbon contained in fossil fuels has
been buried for such a long time that is no longer part of the carbon cycle. When it is released
through burning of fossil fuels, it raises the carbon concentration. Biogas, however, comes from
live or recently dead organisms whose carbon content is still within the cycle, so burning these
fuels does less to upset the carbon concentration in the atmosphere.
In addition to carbon output, biogas fuel is often preferred to fossil fuels because it is a low cost,
renewable source of energy and it uses otherwise wasted materials. Biogas is also a valuable
energy source for developing nations, as it can be produced in small-scale sites. Biogas fuel,
however, also has its critics. Some argue that energy crops detract from food agriculture and will
create a global food shortage. Biofuels may also cause deforestation, water pollution, soil
erosion, and a negative economic impact on oil producing nations.
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Parts Of Bio-Gas Generator Or Biogas Plant

Let us see the various parts of this biogas plant or bio-gas generator:
1)Foundation:
The biogas plant shown here has been built within the surface of the earth underground and it is
on the foundation that the whole biogas plant is based. The foundation forms the base of the
digester where the most important processes of biogas plant occur. The foundation base of the
digester is made up of cement concrete and brick ballast. The construction should be built in such
a manner that it should be able to provide stable foundation for the digester walls and be able to
sustain the full load of slurry filled in it. The foundation should be waterproof so that there is no
percolation and leakage of water.
2)Digester:
The digester is the most important part of the cow dung biogas plant where all the important
chemical processes or fermentation of cow dung and production of bio-gas takes place. The
digester is sometimes also called as fermentation tank. In this cow dung biogas plant digester is
built underground over the foundation. It forms cylindrical shape made up of bricks, sand and
cement. Almost at the middle of the height of digester, two openings are provided on the
opposite sides for inflow of fresh cow dung and outflow of used cow dung.
3) Dome:
The hemispherical top portion of the digester is called as dome. Dome has fixed height, where all
the gas generated within the digester is collected. The gas collected in the dome exerts pressure
on the slurry in the digester.
4) Inlet chamber:
The cow dung is supplied to the digester of the biogas plant via inlet chamber, which is made at
the ground level so that the cow dung can be poured easily. It has bell mouth sort of shape and is
made up of bricks, cement and sand. The outlet wall of the inlet chamber is made inclined so that
the cow dung easily flows to the digester.
5) Outlet Chamber:
Through the outlet chamber the digested slurry from which the biogas has been generated is
removed from the biogas plant. A few steps are usually provided in the outlet chamber so that
some person can go into the pit and clean it. The opening of the outlet chamber is also at the
ground level. The slurry from the outlet chamber flows to the pit made especially for this
purpose.
6) Mixer:
It is the first part of the bio-gas generator, where the water and cow dung are mixed together in
the ratio of 1:1 to form the slurry which is fed into the inlet chamber.
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7) Gas outlet pipe and valve:

The gas outlet pipe is located at the top of the dome where the biogas produced in the digester is
collected. The flow of the gas through from the dome via gas pipe can be controlled by valve.
The gas taken from the pipe can be transferred to the point of use.
Operation Of Biogas Plants

The day-to day operation of a biogas unit requires a high level of discipline and routine to
maintain a high gas production and to ensure a long life-span of the biogas unit. Many problems
in the performance of biogas plants occur due to user mistakes or operational neglect.
Often, these problems can be reduced
by less complicated designs that are adapted to the substrate, the climatic conditions and the
technical competence of the user,
by high-quality and user-friendly appliances,
by design and lay-out of the biogas for convenient work routine,
by proper training and easy access to advice on operation problems.
Preparation to starting the plant

This preparation stage includes carrying out of impermeability check of digester and gas system.
To do this it is necessary to attach a water manometer to the gas system and to close all the vents
so that it becomes possible to measure excess air pressure in the digester.
Digester is filled with water up to operational level. Excess air will be let out through the safety
vent. After this manometer reading is taken and filled digester is left for a day. If after a day
manometer reading is the same or is changed only insignificantly then the system is considered
impermeable.
If the pressure in digester is significantly lower, it is necessary to find and repair the leak. Biogas
plant shall be started only when plant as a whole and all its elements can be considered
operational and conform to safety regulations.
Starting operations
The initial filling of a new biogas plant should, if possible, consist of either digested slurry from
another plant (around 10%) or fresh cattle dung.
The age and quantity of the inoculant (starter sludge) have a decisive effect on the course of
fermentation. It is advisable to start collecting cattle dung during the construction phase in order
to have enough by the time the plant is finished. When the plant is being filled for the first time,
the substrate can be diluted with more water than usual to allow filling of the digester p to 2/3 of
its volume.
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Type of substrate
Depending on the type of substrate in use, the plant may need from several days to several weeks
to achieve a stable digesting process. After diluting substrate with water until homogenous liquid
substrate results it is loaded into digester that is filled up to no more than 2/3 of inside volume.
The rest of the digester volume is used for biogas collection. The substrate loaded into digester
should not be cold its temperature has to be close to chosen optimal digestion temperature.
Optimization of startup process

For optimization of the initial digestion process several well-known startup methods can be used:
feeding active ferment from other well-functioning digester;
adding reagents, such as lime, carbonic acid, alkali and others;
initial filling of dieter with warm water and gradual addition of manure;
filling digester with fresh manure;
filling of digester with hot gases and gradual feeding of manure.
For proving stable growth of microorganisms during the startup period the heating of the
substrate should be gradually increased for no more than 2 daily until it reaches 35-37.
During the heat up process substrate has to be intensively agitated. After 7-8 days bacteria
become very active and biogas production starts.
Characteristics of breaking-in period

The breaking-in period is characterized by:
low quality biogas containing more than 60% CO2
very odorous biogas
sinking pH and
erratic gas production
Process stabilization
The digesting process will stabilize more quickly if the slurry is agitated frequently and
intensively. Only if the process shows extreme resistance to stabilization should lime or more
cattle dung be added in order to balance the pH value. No additional biomass should be put into
the biogas plant during the remainder of the starting phase. Once the process has stabilized, the
large volume of unfermented biomass will result in a high rate of gas production. Regular
loading can commence after gas production has dropped off to the expected level.
Gas holder preparation

Gas holders can only be prepared for use after acceptance and checkout according to
specifications and after examination by State engineering supervision service.
To avoid formation of explosive gas mixture before gas holder is filled with biogas it is
necessary to displace air from the whole gas system. Air displacement is normally carried out by
filling gas holder with water followed by displacement of water with biogas or non-flammable
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gases under pressure. Air displacement can be considered as successful if oxygen content of the
gas probe from the gas holder does not exceed 5 %.
Outside check has to confirm proper functioning of control equipment of the gas holder (check
and safety valves, manometer, pressure reducer). Reliability of the grounding and lightning
protection has to be checked with help of grounding measure. Earth-connection resistance has to
be less than 4 Ohm.
Gas quality
As soon as the biogas becomes reliably combustible, it can be used for the intended purposes.
Less-than-optimum performance of the appliances due to inferior gas quality should be regarded
as acceptable at first. However, the first two gasholder fillings should be vented unused for
reasons of safety, since residual oxygen poses an explosion hazard.
Biogas production in rural Germany
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FEED MATERIAL FOR BIOGAS PLANT

Raw Materials Required
Forms of biomass listed below may be used along with water.
Animal dung
Poultry wastes
Plant wastes ( Husk, grass, weeds etc.)
Human excreta
Industrial wastes(Saw dust, wastes from food processing industries)
Domestic wastes (Vegetable peels, waste food materials)
PRODUCTIVITY OF BIOGAS FEED STOCKS

Feedstock
Gas yield per unit mass of feedstock
Energy yield
(MJ/Kg)
Sewage sludge
0.7
6.17
Pig dung
0.5
8.11
Cattle dung
0.3
2.60
Poultry droppings
0.5
6.11
Paper pulp
0.5
8.11
Gas
0.5
8.14
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9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
gas yield per unit mass of feedstock
Column1
1
0
Graphical view of productivity of biogas feed stocks
APPARATUS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS

The following is the apparatus which is used in the production of biogas.
1. Measuring cylinders
2. Beehive for gas collection
3. Infra Red thermometers
4. Retort Stand
5. Electronic Weighing Balance
6. Biogas Digestor
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TYPES OF BIOGAS PLANTS
The most important types of biogas plants are described.

1. Fixed-dome plants
2. Floating-drum plants
3. Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester
4. Balloon plants
Fixed-Dome Plants
A fixed-dome plant comprises of a closed, dome-shaped digester with an immovable, rigid gasholder and a displacement pit, also named 'compensation tank'. The gas is stored in the upper part
of the digester. When gas production commences, the slurry is displaced into the compensating
tank. Gas pressure increases with the volume of gas stored, and the height difference between the
slurry level in the digester and the slurry level in the compensation tank. . If there is little gas in
the gas-holder, the gas pressure is low.
The costs of a fixed-dome biogas plant are relatively low. It is simple as no moving parts exist.
There are also no rusting steel parts and hence a long life of the plant (20 years or more) can be
expected. The plant is constructed underground, protecting it from physical damage and saving
space. While the underground digester is protected from low temperatures at night and during
cold seasons, sunshine and warm seasons take longer to heat up the digester.
The basic elements of a fixed dome plant are shown in the figure below.
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Advantages
1. Low initial cost.
2. The absence of moving parts and rusting steel parts.
3. If well constructed, fixed dome plants have a long life span.
4. The underground construction saves space and protects the digester from
temperature changes.
5. The construction provides opportunities for skilled local employment.
Disadvantages
1. Gas leaks occur quite frequently.
2. Fluctuating gas pressure complicates gas utilization.
3. Amount of gas produced is not immediately visible.
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4. Fixed dome plants need exact planning of levels.
Fixed-dome plant in Tunesia. The final layers of the

masonry structure are being fixed.
Floating-Drum Plants
A floating-drum plant consists of a cylindrical or dome-shaped digester and a moving, floating
gas-holder, or drum. The gas-holder floats either directly in the fermenting slurry or in a separate
water jacket. The drum in which the biogas collects has an internal and/or external guide frame
that provides stability and keeps the drum upright. If biogas is produced, the drum moves up, if
gas is consumed, the gas-holder sinks back. Water-jacket floating-drum plants are universally
applicable and easy to maintain. The drum cannot get stuck in a scum layer, even if the substrate
has a high solids content. Water-jacket plants are characterized by a long useful life.
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Water-jacket plant with external guide frame : 1

Mixing pit, 11 Fill pipe, 2 Digester, 3 Gasholder, 31
Guide frame, 4 Slurry store, 5 Gas pipe.
Advantages
1. They are used most frequently by small- to middle-sized farms (digester size: 5-15m3) or in
institutions and larger agro-industrial estates (digester size: 20-100m3).
2. The volume of stored gas is directly visible.
3. The construction is relatively easy, construction mistakes do not lead to major problems in
operation and gas yield.
Disadvantages
1. The steel drum is relatively expensive and maintenance-intensive.
2. Removing rust and painting has to be carried out regularly.
3. Floating drum plants have a shorter life span than fixed-dome plants.
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Floating-drum plant in Mauretania

Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester
In the case of the Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester model the tubular polyethylene film is
bended at each end around a 6 inch PVC drainpipe and is wound with rubber strap of recycled
tire-tubes. With this system a hermetic isolated tank is obtained. One of the 6" PVC drainpipes
serves as inlet and the other one as the outlet of the slurry. The Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube
Digester is applied in Bolivia (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Centro America and Mexico).It is able
to work in different altitudes and climate zones. The digester system works with a biogas
pressure between 15 - 20 cm water column.
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Scheme of Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester

Advantages
1.The polyethylene tubular film biodigester technology is a cheap and simple way to produce
gas.
2. Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester is able to work in different altitudes and climate zones.
Disadvantages
1. The lower gas pressure (20 cm water column / 19.6 mbar) than in the fixed-dome system or
floating drum system.
2. There is a need to protect the tubular polyethylene against e.g. cows, because it could burst
when the animal jumps into the digester.
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Low-Cost Tube Digester Altiplano of Bolivia

Balloon Plants
A balloon plant consists of a heat-sealed plastic or rubber bag (balloon), combining digester and
gas-holder. The gas is stored in the upper part of the balloon. The inlet and outlet are attached
directly to the skin of the balloon. Gas pressure can be increased by placing weights on the
balloon. If the gas pressure exceeds a limit that the balloon can withstand, it may damage the
skin. Therefore, safety valves are required. If higher gas pressures are needed, a gas pump is
required. Since the material has to be weather- and ultraviolet resistant and specially stabilized.
The materials which have been used successfully include RMP (red mud plastic), Trevira and
butyl. The useful life-span does usually not exceed 2-5 years.
Advantages
1. Low cost.
2. Ease of transportation.
3. Shallow installation suitable for use in areas with a high groundwater table.
4. Easy to clean.
5. High digester temperatures in warm climates.
Disadvantages
1. Low gas pressure may require gas pumps.
2. The plastic balloon has a relatively short useful life-span and is susceptible to mechanical
damage.
28 | P a g e
3. There is only little scope for the creation of local employment.
Rubber-balloon biogas plants
29 | P a g e
DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANTS

1.Shape And Static Loading
A biogas plant should be watertight. The gasholder must be gaslight. For this reason a biogas
plant must have no cracks. But structures of masonry or concrete always crack. One can try to
keep the cracks small. And one can determine the position where the cracks are to arise. Cracks
always arise where the tensile stresses are highest. Tensile stresses arise from tensile forces,
flexure, displacements, settling and temperature fluctuations. When mortar or concrete sets,
shrinkage cracks also form. Stresses are high where the "external" forces are high. "External"
forces are earth pressure, dead weight and applied load. Stresses are highest where the "internal"
forces are highest. "Internal" forces are flexural, normal, gravitational and torsional forces. The
"external" forces can be reduced by favourable shaping of the structure. The liquid pressure and
earth pressure are less in a low biogas plant. This is because both depend directly on the height.
The "internal" forces can also be reduced by favourable shaping of the structure. If the "external"
forces can act in one direction only, high "internal" forces arise. If, however, the "external" forces
can be distributed in a number of directions, small "internal" forces arise. This is the case with all
curved surfaces or "shells". Slabs will support a heavier load than beams for a given thickness of
material. A curved shell supports more than a flat slab. A shell coned in more than one dimension
supports more than a shell of simple curvature. Curved structural components are more rigid; the
stresses are smaller in them. Just imagine how thick the shell of a hen's egg would have to be if it
were shaped like a cube! Cracks arise where stresses are high. Particularly high stresses - "peak
stresses" - arise at pointswhere the stress pattern is disturbed. Such disturbances occur at edges,
angles, corners and under concentrated, applied or other loads. Disturbances arise along the line
of intersection of surfaces. Cracks form at these points due to peak stresses. Peak stresses always
arise at the edges of angular structures. For this reason the gas space of a fixed-dome plant must
never be angular. Cracks arise owing to tensile stresses. If a component is under compression, it
is free from cracks. The gas space of a fixed-dome plant should therefore always be under
30 | P a g e
pressure at every point. The liquid pressure of the fermentation slurry is directed outwards. The
earth pressure is directed inwards. If the two forces balance reliably, the load on the structure is
relieved. In a vaulted shape' the external loading is obtained even if the earth is stiff and cracked
owing to drought. A round shape is always a good shape, Because a round shape has no corners.
Because its load pattern is more favourable. And because it uses less material. A round shape is
often easier to build than an angular one.
2.Bottom Slab
The bottom slab is loaded at its edge by the weight of the digester wall. In the case of a spherical
shell, the weight of the earth load also acts on it. The bottom slab distributes the weight over the
ground of the site. The larger the foundation area, the less settlement will be experienced. The
more even the loads, the more even the settlement. The more even the settlement, the less the
risk of cracking. A "rigid" shell distributes the weight better than a "soft" slab. The weight of the
fermentation slurry presses uniformly on the ground. Where the ground is of unequal consistency
(e.g., boulders in loamy soil), loads must be distributed within the bottom slab. If the slab is too
weak, it will break and cease to be watertight. A "rigid" shell distributes the loads better than a
"soft slab". A vaulted shell is the best foundation shape. But a conical shell is easier to excavate.
The only implement required is a straight piece of wood. Building material available locally is
used for the bottom slab. One of the following will be chosen on grounds of economy:
- quarry stone with a cement mortar filling and a cement floor,
- brick masonry with a cement floor,
31 | P a g e
- concrete.
Steel ring reinforcement at the outer edge increases the loadbearing capacity of the bottom.
However, such reinforcement is not usually necessary. It is more important for the ground to be
firm and clean. If the soil consists of muddy loam, it must first be covered with a thin layer of
sand.
3. Spherical Shell Of Masonary Construction
The construction of a spherical shell from masonry is completely problem-free. Every bricklayer
can master this technique after once being shown how to do it. Concreting a vault, on the other
hand, calls for much more skill and craftsmanship owing to the complicated formwork the one
exception being when the masoned shell is intended to serve as permanent formwork. A spherical
shell of masonry is simple to construct because the radius always extends from the same centre.
A trammel (A) is the only aid required. Bricks are stacked to get the right height for the centre.
Lean mortar is used for the stack, which is subsequently demolished (M). No centring is
necessary for laying the bricks.
32 | P a g e
4. Masonry and mortar
The mortar and bricks should have about the same strenght. If the bricks are soft, the mortar
must also not be too hard. If a good brick is thrown on to the ground three metres away, it must
not break. If the bricks are of poor quality, the walls must be thicker. Mortar consists of sand,
water and the binders. Cement gives a solid, watertight mortar. Cement mortar is brittle in
masonry construction. Lime gives a soft, sticky mortar. For masonry construction, cement mortar
should always include a certain amount of lime. This makes it more workable, and the masonry
becomes more watertight.
Mixing ratio:
Masonry mortar 2 (cement) : 1 (lime): 10(sand) or 1 (cement) : 6 (sand)
Rendering mortar 1 (cement) : 4 (sand) better 1 (cement) : 3 (sand)
The most important part of the mortar is the sand. It must be clean. It should not contain any
loam, dust or organic matter. Mortar sand with a high proportion of dust or loam "eats up" much
more cement than clean sand. The bricklayer or works foreman must check the sand before use.
Sand may contain not more than 10% dust or loam, otherwise it must be washed. Soda Ice can be
used to test whether the sand contains excessive organic matter. The following points are
important when rendering:
- The rendering mortar must be compressed by vigorous, circular rubbing.
- All edges must be rounded.
- All internal angles must be rounded with a glass bottle.
33 | P a g e
FACTORS AFFECTING BIOGAS PRODUCTION

There are many factors affecting the biogas production but some of them are given below.
1. Biogas potential of feedstock
2. Design of digester
3. Hydraulic retention time
4. pH
5. Temperature
Design Of Digestor
Floating gas holder type and fixed dome type are the two tested designs, that are being widely
employed. The performance of floating dome biogas plant was better than the fixed dome biogas
plant, showing an increase in biogas production by 11.3 percent. The observed reduction in
biogas yield was due to the loss of gas from the slurry-balancing chambers of fixed dome plant.
Biogas Potential Of Feedstock

The different feedstocks like cow dung, buffalo dung, dry animal waste, stray cattle dung, goat
waste, and poultry droppings were used for the production of biogas by Dhevagi and he
observed that poultry droppings showed higher gas production as compared to other feedstocks.
Yeole and Ranade compared the rates of biogas yield from pig dung-fed and cattle dung-fed
digesters and reported that the biogas yield was higher in the former. They attributed this higher
biogas yield to the presence of native micro flora in the dung.
pH
For increased gas yield, a pH between 7.0 and 7.2 is optimum. The gas production is
significantly affected when the pH of the slurry is decreased to 5.0.The pH is reduced because of
the reduction of different organisms present in the slurry. The addition of the sodium hydroxide
is to study the effect of alkaline condition on biogas generation. The addition of NaOH shows
the increase in the pH of the digestor due to which more volume of gas is produced and if pH is
lower then lower volume of gas is produced. When NAOH is added the result obtained shows a,
significant increase in volume of gas to that obtained without the addition of sodium hydroxide.
Temperature
The biogas production is affected due to the temperature. There is increased in the production of
34 | P a g e
biogas at higher temperature. The digester performance is affected due to higher temperatures.
Nagamani and Ramasamy observed that though there was higher production of biogas at
55C, the process was unstable due to higher production of volatile fatty acids.
Hydraulic Retention Time

Hydraulic retention time varied as per the loading rate. Yeole and Ranade reported that an
hydraulic retention time of 14 days was optimum for biogas production from cow dung.
Gadre investigated the optimum retention time for the production of biogas from cattle
dung and reported that 15 Hydraulic retention time was the best for maximum production
of biogas from cow dung so production of biogas is increased due to increased in hydraulic
retention time.
EFFECT OF METALS ON BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Presence of some metals also influences the biogas production.The addition of calcium (5 mM),
cobalt (50 g g 1 TS), iron (50 mM), magnesium (7.5 mM), molybdenum (1020 mM), nickel
(10 g g 1 TS) individually as well as in combination enhanced the biogas production .This
enhancement is due to the increased methanogen population in the digesters. The addition of
nickel at 2.5 ppm increased the biogas production andthis increased in production is due to the
higher activity of nickel-dependent metal-enzymes involved in biogas production. The cadmium
and nickel at 600 and 400 g g 1 of dry matter, respectively, increased the biogas production
and methane content. There are many other metals whose addition in some quantity can
increased the biogas production but in greater quantity these materials can have bad impact on
biogas production so these metals can be added upto certain limit which is verified by different
experiments.
ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATIONS

There are many advantages and benefits of using biogas. The following are the benefits of
biogas.
1. Biogas is safe and useful for cooking and heating because of more heat produced the
time required for cooking is lesser. Heat energy that one gets from biogas is 3.5 times the
heat from burning wood. The annual time saving for firewood collection and cooking
averages to almost 1000 hours in each household provided with a biogas plant.
35 | P a g e
Annually, each biogas plant can save more than four ton's of firewood and 32 liters
of kerosene
2. It can also be a source of electricity. Economic benefits are very evident in this project.
When the methane is converted mechanically it can light 250houses as it produces 260
kWh per day electric generation on the average of 200 watts per house. In fact, one cow
can produce enough manure in one day to generate three kilowatt hours of electricity;
only 2.4 kilowatt hours of electricity are needed to power a single one hundred watt light
bulb for one day. In North America, utilization of biogas would generate enough
electricity to meet up to three percent of the continent's electricity expenditure.
Electricity from Biogas in Thailand

3. It is a renewable energy source like solar, tidal, wind, geothermal etc.
4. Methane gas can be used an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), since
calorific value of methane gas produced is better than the LPG's.
5. Fossil fuels come from plant and animal matter deposits that are millions and millions
of years old. They have very high-energy potentials (one pound of coal contains 13000
Btu and therefore are excellent for our needs. The most utilized of these forms are coal,
petroleum and natural gas. All over the world fossil fuels are being extracted at a faster
and faster rate as the world's energy demands increase. This presents a large problem
because fossil fuels are not renewable within a practical timescale, since they take
millions of years to form. According to estimated calculations based on current
consumption (not taking into account the escalation of need that the increasing world
population would demand) the world's supplies of fossil fuels have already peaked and
36 | P a g e
will run out sometime in this century so biogas can be used as an alternate energy
potential source for these fossil fuels.
6. Another problem with the large-scale use of these fossil fuels are their negative effects
on the environment. To access and use the energy held in fossil fuels, we burn them using
the heat energy released to do work. A variety of pollutants are part of the byproducts of
this process. These byproducts include carbon dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, particulate matter and etc. These substances are damaging the atmosphere.
Beyond the poisonous qualities many of these have, many are green house gasses,
contributing tremendously to the very real and present global warming. On the other hand
biogas does not contain so much dangerous gases and is very safe to the atmosphere if it
is not exposed to the atmosphere during its production.
7. Biogas could potentially help reduce global climate change. Normally, manure that is
left to decompose releases two main gases that cause global climate change: nitrogen
dioxide and methane. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) warms the atmosphere 310 times more
than carbon dioxide and methane 21 times more than carbon dioxide. Furthermore, by
converting cow manure into methane biogas instead of letting it decompose, global
warming gases could be reduced by ninety-nine million metric tons.
8. Improper waste disposal and the inadequacy of dumping sites further aggravate
pollution load on rivers and tributaries from industries and households. This pollution can
be reduced by converting these organic waste materials into the production of biogas or
methane gas. Biomass energy helps in cleanliness in villages and cities.
9. Biomass energy is relatively cheaper and reliable.
10. Biogas-slurry is a safe, organic, and nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser, which can be
applied directly to crops to increase agricultural productivity. The use of biogas-slurry not
only saves money otherwise spent on chemical fertilisers, but reduces the negative effects
of such fertilisers on the environment. It is estimated that the application of biogas-slurry
may increase productivity as much as 25% when compared to applying manure directly
to fields. Each biogas plant produces about five ton's of bio-fertilizer annually, which
can replace chemical fertilizer.
37 | P a g e
biogas-slurry
11. Growing biomass crops use up carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. A recent study by
Winrock International, Nepal Biogas Support Program (BSP) and others found that each
biogas plant can mitigate about five ton's of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
12. There is tremendous potential to generate biogas energy.

13. Pressure on the surrounding forest and scrubs can be reduced when biogas is used as cooking
fuel. A single biogas system with a volume of 100 cubic feet (2,8 m3) can save as much as 0.3
acres (0,12 ha) of forest (woodland) each year
14. It is a more cost effective means of acquiring energy as compared to oil supplies. As oil
supplies are getting depleted day by day, it is becoming a costly commodity
15. Recycling of waste reduces pollution and spread of diseases.
16. If concentrated and compressed, it can also be used in vehicle transportation. Compressed
biogas is becoming widely used in Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. A biogas-powered train
has been in service in Sweden since 2005. In 2007, an estimated 12,000 vehicles were being
fueled with upgraded biogas worldwide, mostly in Europe.
38 | P a g e
A biogas bus in Linkping, Sweden
17. Health benefits of biogas and the improvement of hygienic conditions.

Biogas can have significant health benefits. According to the Integrated Environmental
Impact Analysis carried out by BSP** for 600 biogas users and 600 non-users, four percent
more non-biogas users have respiratory diseases than those who own biogas plants .
Qualitative information from various household surveys carried out by BSP has revealed that
problems like respiratory illness, eye infection, asthma and lung problems have decreased after
installing a biogas plant.
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Health Benefits Of Biogas

Disease
Problems in the past

(households)
Yes
Eye Infection
Cases of burning
Lung problems
Respiratory problems
Asthma
Dizziness/headache
No
72
29
38
42
11
27
Present status of
(households)
Improved
18
71
62
58
89
73
Remained same
69
28
33
34
9
16
3
1
5
8
2
11
According to the Biogas Users Survey conducted in 2000 with 100 households, biogas can have
positive impacts on the health of its users. Out of 42 respondents who had respiratory problems
in the past, it was reported that the problem has improved for 34 of them. Similarly, those who
had problems like asthma, eye infections and lung problems found that their problems had
decreased after displacing dirtier fuels with biogas.
The following are the principal organisms killed in biogas plants:
o
Typhoid
o
Paratyphoid
o
Cholera and dysentery bacteria (in one or two weeks)
o
Hookworm and bilharzia (in three weeks)
o
Tapeworm and roundworm die completely when the fermented slurry is dried
in the sun.
ECONOMICAL BENEFITS
Economic impact of biogas production on a rural family (average 10-12 members) is Rs. 6000/per month as additional income by replacing two cylinders of LPG, three mounds of Fuel-wood,
dung cakes and cost of chemical fertilizer. Saving of Rs. 3150/month by a rural family is a big
economic gain and would lead to poverty reduction in rural Pakistan. In addition adoption of this
technology will lead to other social changes and health improvement.
40 | P a g e
Gender
Time spent in
Collection of Wood
Before Biogas
After Biogas
2:30 hours daily 10 minutes (for
mixing dung with
water
1:30 hours daily 50 minutes
Time spent in
cleaning of utensils
Time spent on
cooking of meals
3:15 hours daily 2:45 hours

7:15 hours
2:45 hours
Time Saved
4:30 hours / day which could be utilized by working women on

activities such as embroidery, cloth sewing, etc
other
Employment Opportunities
Biomass Energy development creates new employment opportunities in
a. Manufacturing
b. Construction
c. Plant operation & servicing
d. Fuel supply
Environmental Benefits
41 | P a g e
(i) Through promotion of Biogas Technology (B.T) at one hand fossil energy sources are
substituted and on the other hand the aerobic processes (open yard manure composting)
are avoided which stress the atmosphere by emission of CH4 (greenhouse gas)
(ii) It substitutes firewood as a fuel and helps sustaining favorable soil conditions thus,
contributing to combat deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution and climate changes.
(iii)
Provides soot-free fuel to meet domestic energy needs.
(iv)Contributes sustaining neat, clean and environment friendly atmosphere.

(v) It helps decrease environment degradation otherwise caused due to excessive use of chemical
fertilizer and pesticides
Environment Friendly
Biogas production from biomass with high moisture content is an eco friendly process.
Conventional practices of composting cattle manure and fodder waste has many adverse
environment effects.
Methane produced in conventional composting of biomass escapes in atmosphere and has
global warning effect 20 times more than CO2 .
H2S released from composting causes undesirable odocer and harmful for human health.
N2 lost in the form of NH3 reduces fertility effect of composted manure.
Pollution Control
These effects of pollution in the environment can be avoided by anaerobic digestion of
biomass in biogas plants.
Reduces deforestation in rural areas.
Reduce indoor pollution / respiratory / eye diseases of viral / people pacficataely women.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Cost of construction of biogas plant is high
2. Biogas plant requires space and produces dirty smell.
3. It is difficult to store biogas in cylinders
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4. Transportation of biogas through pipe over long distances is difficult.

5. Biogas is dangerous in three conditions. Biogas becomes explosive when it
escapes from the landfill and mixes with oxygen. When the composition of methane is 5% then it
is lower explosive and when the composition of methane in biogas is upto 15% then it is high
explosive. The methane which is present in the biogas is 20 times more dangerous than carbon
dioxide so if biogas escapes into the atmosphere may significantly contribute to the effects of
global warming.If biogas is exposed to the atmosphere it contains volatile organic compounds
contribute to the formation of photochemical smog.
BIOGAS A SOURCE OF ALTERNATE ENERGY
Pakistan is spending almost 20 per cent of its foreign exchange on fossil fuels imports. Annually
$7 billion is being eaten away in import of conventional energy resources that is equivalent to 40
per cent of total imports by the country, but the country still lacks far behind in tapping the vast
potential of alternate energy resources.
3000MW power potential in sugar industry
A research conducted by the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, suggests that the countrys
energy demand is expected to increase three fold by 2050, but supply position is not inspiring in
anyway. It indicates that Pakistan has almost 3,000 MW power generation potential in sugar
industry through biogas, but it is hardly producing some 700MW. Study points out that the
renewable and sustainable energy resources are the best substitute to the conventional fuels and
energy sources. It estimates that Pakistan has almost 159 million animals that produce almost
652 million kilogram of manure daily from cattle and buffalo only, which can be used to generate
16.3 million-cubic-meters biogas per day and 21 million tonnes of bio fertiliser per year. It can
easily compensate around 20 per cent of nitrogen and 66 per cent of phosphorus requirement in
the crop fields, the study estimates.
Economic And Social Benefits
Highlighting the economic and social benefits of biogas generation, the research indicates that a
biogas unit of 10-cubic-meter size is anticipated to save almost Rs92,062 per annum on account
of conventional fuels spent otherwise. In addition, womens opportunity cost, with introduction
of biogas units reportedly increased; subsequently positively impacting household incomes.
Research highlights that livestock sector in the country is growing at the rate of four per cent per
annum. Energy production by using animal feces is highly sustainable, economically viable and
socially acceptable, besides being environment friendly. It points out that Pakistan is anticipated
43 | P a g e
to act as an energy corridor for the region as it holds important strategic location by bordering the
Arabian Sea, India, China, Iran and Afghanistan. To keep-up this position, the study
recommends, Pakistan will have to strive hard for energy self-sufficiency.
Learning from the EU
It indicates that European Union (EU) has legislated that each member country should be
producing at least 22.1 per cent of their electricity from renewable resources in order to stick to
the commitment of producing energy from best alternative energy sources. Pakistan, by
following the same code of conduct may fulfill its energy needs and satisfy the role of being an
environment friendly nation. Nearly 70 per cent of the countrys rural population can easily
benefit from biogas energy as these plants are low-cost and can be run with a small budget.
Research discloses that demand for small biogas power generation units is increasing steadily as
this decentralized source of energy can ensure uninterrupted power supply to villages. Though,
many agencies like Pakistan Dairy Development Company (PDDC), Pakistan Council for
Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) and Rural Support Programs Network (RSPN) are
working to disseminate this renewable energy technology, but the need of a national biogas
policy is imperative to bring this technology at the farmers doorstep and boost its success rate,
the study recommends and adds that installations of biogas bottling plants can be an added
opportunity.
10,000 units to be set up in 5 years
In addition, the study recommends that Pakistan can also explore biogas potential of citrus pulp,
paper industry, slaughter house and street waste. It indicates that poultry waste is ideal substrate
to produce biogas. Rice straw, when used for biogas production in comparison with other
resources like cotton gin, etc. was found best for methane production but when cotton gin mixed
with livestock dung was fermented; it produced more gas in lesser time. Domestic bio-gas
generation was initiated in Pakistan in 1959 and a significant number of plants were operational
in different parts of the country. The government launched Biogas Support Program (BSP) in
2000, which had achieved a target of installing some 1,200 bio-gas units, whereas another 10,000
units are expected to be set up in the next five years that would tap almost 27 per cent of the
countrys biogas potential.
Keeping view the present energy crises, to move an step forward by installing biogas plants
of 30MW, 40MW, 60MW and 100MW gas production capacity so as to use this gas for
increasing agriculture productivity by running tube wells on biogas and other activities
such as lighting, through gas generators and fans during the summer season
PCRET is also gaining successful experience in installation of biogas plant upto 150 cum
per day capacity for electric generation and water lifting for the last one year.
44 | P a g e
Fuel Equivalent Factor
A 5 cum biogas plant can save per annum different types of fuel.
Fuel
Per Annum
558.45 kg
Per Day
LPG
1.53 kg
Kerosene Oil
1131.50 lit
Electricity
2281 kwh
6.25 kwh
Fuel wood
10196 kg
27.93 kg
Charcoal
2993 kg
8.2 kg
Diesel
912.5 lit
2.5 lit
3.1 Lit
BIOGAS POTENTIAL IN PAKISTAN
As per recent livestock census, there are 51 million animals (Buffaloes, Cows, Bullocks) in
Pakistan. Thus, 19.125 Million M3 biogas can be produced daily by anaerobic fermentation of
dung through installation of about 3.825 million family size biogas plants, which could meet the
cooking needs of about 50 million people. The total population of Pakistan is about 170 million,
out of which 68% reside in the rural areas, which comes to be 98 million. Therefore we can meet
the cooking / heating requirements of 44% rural masses from this single source of energy
(biogas) besides, producing 57.4 million Kg of nitrogen enriched bio-fertilizer per day or 21.00
45 | P a g e
million tons of bio-fertilizer per year, which is an essential requirement for sustaining the fertility
of agricultural lands.
PCRET: An Initiator
Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) under took propagation of Biogas
Technology as early as in 1976, based on imported Chinese Design and then initially installed 21
family size units. But afterward due to various factors such as gas pressure variables, lack of
craftsmanship, leakage occurring in the dome, hindering good performance of gas produced
through fermentation process, the council adjourned the programme.
Thereafter Indian design was adapted with some modifications, suitable to local conditions and
afterward a project for installation of 1,200 family size biogas plants on public - private cost
sharing basis was launched. In view of prompt and positive response of the people the project
ended by installing 35% additional biogas plants than the target originally set forth in PC-1.
(Actual 1,604 units installed against target of 1,200 units).
Encouraged by positive public response, PCRET launched another project for installation of
2,500 biogas plants in 2007 with a subsidy component of Rs.17000/- per plant. In the last two
years despite various financial constraints, about 2,000 biogas units have so far been installed
successfully whereas work on other 500 units is in progress.
Originally, biogas plants were constructed for cooking purpose only. But in view of the current
energy crises i.e. rise in prices of fossil fuels; increase in electric utility tariff and heavy load
shedding which has severely effected the life of common man and the economy, possibilities
were further work up for utilization of biogas on commercial scale.
Thus over the period, demand from the public has compelled PCRET to explore ways and means
of using biogas for lighting as well as irrigation purposes. Keeping this aspect in view, PCRET
came forward to make possible the usage of biogas in generating power for lighting,
refrigeration, electric fans, mobile charging, running washing machine and iron for pressing
clothes etc. Besides the galloping prices of diesel coupled with its irregular supply has compelled
agriculturist to use biogas as duel fuel (diesel + biogas) for running their tube wells. For this
purpose relatively a bigger size biogas plants (10M3, 15M3, 20M3 gas production capacity per
day) have been designed and installed in Sialkot, Narowal, Jhang and other places. As per field
reports, the success rate of such plants is very high.
Main Points Of Biogas Potential In Pakistan
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Pakistan is at No. 5 in word ranking of livestock / cattle population. As per2009-2010

livestock census No of cattle =65.00m (cows 34.3m, buffalows = 30.7m)
Daily dung dropping : 975.00 m kg/day
50% Collectability : 487.50m kg/day
Gas produced : 24.37 m m3/day
Bio-fertilizer produced : 17.00 m kg/day

or 6.2 m tons/year
As such 40lac family size biogas plants could be installed whereas only 10,000 units
could be installed since 1974.
Pakistan Domestic Biogas Programme
Government of Pakistan is currently facing an unprecedented energy crisis. Shortage of energy,

including both electricity and gas, is considered to be a major road block to Pakistans rapid
economic growth and poverty reduction. The prices of both continue to increase due to a sharp
increase in their demand, adding to the worries of the crises-hit dwellers. The consumers are
facing many difficulties because of gas load shedding. In rural areas LPG is the only alternative
to firewood or coal but LPG prices have already jumped to Rs100 per kilogram that makes LPG
unaffordable to the rural communities.
In present scenario, it is almost impossible for the Government to provide sui-gas facility to the
residents of rural areas. However, the Biogas Plants act as a useful source for providing gas
facility to the households. Pakistan has a great potential for domestic biogas because of the
availability of sufficient animal dung, water, ambient temperature, the availability of construction
materials, enough space for plant installation, freedom from floods, and availability of human
resources for the construction of plant.
Based on the successful experience of implementing biogas programmes in a number of other
Asian countries, Winrock International, UNDP Pakistan and SNV (Netherlands Development
Organization) carried out a feasibility study with the collaboration of RSPN for establishing a
large-scale household biogas programme in Pakistan in early 2007. The Punjab Rural Support
Programme (PRSP), supported by the Rural Support Programme-Network (RSPN) installed 12
biogas installations of 6m3 of the Nepalese GGC 2047 design in Sialkot district and the
47 | P a g e
Foundation for Integrated Development Action (FIDA), also supported by the RSPN constructed
3 GGC 2047 installations (8, 20 and 35m3) in Dera Ismail Khan district in June 2007. This study
explored that there was a sufficient market for Biogas Plants. Then, a complete plan was
designed for implementing the whole set up in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Domestic Biogas programme was started in January 2009 by RSPN with the
financial support of SNV and the advisory support of Winrock International. The agreement
among parties was signed in December 2008. Now, the programme is funded by EKN since
November 2009.
Geographic scope of the project and partners

From the geographical prospective, Pakistan has a total of 68,000 villages out of these only 4,000
villages are blessed with natural gas. Punjab is the country's most populous region with about
56% of Pakistan's total population. Moreover, the central Punjab including Faisalabad, Sargodha,
Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Okara, Pak patan, Sheikhupura, Hafzabad, Mandi Bhauddin,
Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakar etc is considered to be the most potential area for starting the
programme. The main Office of Pakistan Domestic Biogas Programme is in Faisalabad which
was started in January 2009. However, PDBP has three QCCs (Quality Control Centers) in
Jhang, Sargodha and Toba Tek Singh Respectively that were started working in December 2009.
Currently, entities like Biogas Construction Companies (BCC), Training institutes, Local NGOs
and Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP) are our major stakeholders. Each one is
performing its role on demand or supply side.
Prior, there was no commercial biogas sector in Pakistan that is why no commercial BCC was
available at start. Now, PDBP has trained many Masons and BCCs. Currently, PDBP has 16
BCCs functioning in four districts of central Punjab. These BCCs have many trained masons
working under their companies. They are not only constructing the plants but also giving four
years guarantee to households that involve 3 annual maintenance visits, at which a trained biogas
mason of the BCC visit the installation and checks for proper functioning and operation. They
are also playing important role in creating demand through providing successful plants and
satisfactory services to existing users.
In order to train the work force, PDBP signed MOU with GCT (Government College of
Technology). It acts as a training institute for our programme. It is not only providing training
facilitates but also giving boarding facilities to the Masons and BCCs who come from distant
places. Moreover, three teachers of GCT were also trained regarding biogas technology and now
they are working as trainer for PDBP.
48 | P a g e
PDBP has also signed MOU with different Local NGOs belonging to each operational district.
Presently, there are seven NGOs that are working for generating demands for biogas plants.
These NGOs have strong contacts in their respective areas that help them to bring demand for us.
They also organize different villages meetings for generating awareness regarding Biogas
technology. PDBP staff members supervise those meetings in order to ensure proper
dissemination of information.
PRSP is also one of the strong partners. They are also arranging different village meetings on
large scale in order to create more and more awareness among people about Biogas uses and
effectiveness. Their Social Organizers (SOs) or Field Coordinators (FCs) are playing a vital role
in generating demand for biogas plants.
Salient features of the project

The main objective of the national domestic biogas programme is to improve the livelihoods and
quality of life of the farmers in Pakistan by establishing a commercially viable biogas sector.
Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by feeding animal dung (especially
the manure of buffaloes, cattle and sheep) and water into an airtight underground tank known as
digester and allowing it to decompose. It is produced by the biological breakdown of organic
matter in the absence of oxygen.
The programme works by focusing on supply and demand side. The major role players at the
supply side are Biogas Construction Companies (BCCs), providing biogas construction and after
sales services to households and Training institutes. However, at the demand side of the sector,
PDBP has involved different local NGOs and PRSP.
PDBP offers a rebate (discount) of Rs 7500/- in order to stimulate the demand for domestic
biogas plants. This programme is working for domestic users and therefore offering four small
sizes of plants that are 4m3, 6m3, 8m3 and 10m3. However, the discount rate is flat for each size.
The household who has even two cattle is eligible for having a plant. The production of gas is
directly proportional to the size of plant and same case with the number of animals.
The programme is implementing the fixed dome Nepalese GGC 2047 design by training
different Masons and BCCs about its structure, procedure and measurements. The trainings were
conducted by an expert trainer named Prakash from Nepal. Prakash has also trained different
teachers as a trainer of Biogas technology for PDBP and evaluated their performances.
In addition to Biogas Mason Training, the Biogas Mason Refresher training is also planned to
keep the certified biogas masons updated with the developments in the programme.
49 | P a g e
Moreover, for informing users especially females because they are the prime beneficiaries of the
biogas, different user trainings are organized for them. PDBP staff members give instructions to
biogas users about using the plant, biogas, appliances and bio-slurry.
The assurance of the quality of plants constructed by BCCs is a big challenge and for this Biogas
Technicians visits the plants on two phases i.e. under construction and final inspections. For the
first year (2009), they have visited each plant but now from onward visits will be conducted on
sample basis.
Achievements of the project
o Constructing 70 Biogas plants in the first year.

o Setting up Offices in four districts in central Punjab
o Development of promotional material such as brochures, flyers, writing material,
t-shirts, caps etc.
o Partnerships with the Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP) and the National
Rural Support Programme (NRSP) as well as seven Local NGOs.
o MOU with GCT for acting as training Institute for PDBP.
o MOU with Ministry of Environment, Pakistan.
o Reduction in health problems like respiratory illness, eye infection, asthma and
lungs infection.
o Developed Database for keeping record of trainings, BCCs, Households, Plants
and stakeholder meetings.
Financial support
This programme is funded by SNV initially for the first year, 2009. From November 2009 the
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) has started a 4 years programme to support
the construction of 14,000 household biogas plants in central Punjab.
50 | P a g e
Future direction
The aim is to reach 14000 plants up to 4 years.
For 2010, the goal is to construct 1500 plants till November.
Future Focus is to explore the demand and supply sides by involving other
active bodies.
On demand side PDBP will explore

1. Dairy Industries including PPDC (Pakistan Dairy Development Corporation), Nestle
Foods and ENGRO Foods
2. Farm input Suppliers covering Pesticide dealers and Fertilizer dealers.
3. Green Government Agencies like Department of Forest, Department of extension and
Department of Agriculture.
4. Department of Health.
5. Department of Education.
6. Department of Revenue.
7. Media Agencies
On supply side PDBP will involve
1. More BCCs, Masons and Trainers
2. More LNGOs
3. More Districts like Bhakar
4. Appliances Manufacturers
5. Micro Finance Institutes
51 | P a g e
Details of Biogas Plants of various capacities
Gas
Capacity
(cum/
day).
Digeste
r
Volume
(cum)
No. of
Cattle
2
3
4
5
6
7
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
50
60
70
80
100
150
200
2-5
5
6-5
9
11
13
16
23
30
30
47
55
63
72
90
106
125
155
210
300
2-3
4-5
6-7
7-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
15-20
20-25
25-30
35-40
40-45
45-50
60-70
80-90
90-100
100-110
130-140
180-200
240-250
Dung
Require
d
Kg/day
40
60
80
100
120
140
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
2000
3000
4000
Gas
Available
for No.of
persons
(cooking)
5
7
10
12
15
17
25
37
50
62
75
87
100
125
150
175
200
250
375
500
Digester
Height
ft
8
10
9
10
10
10
11
12
14
15
17
17
19
20
21
22
22
22
25
25
Dia
ft
4
5
6
6
6-6
7
8
8
10
11
11
12
12
13
14
15
16
18
20
23.5
Gas holder
Height Dia
ft
ft
Approx
Cost
(Rs)
Electri
-city
Units
(Kwh)
Bio-manure
CO2
Slurry dry
Reducti
Kg/day kg/day per yea
(tons)
4
4
4
4
5
4-4
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
18000
30000
36000
45000
54000
60300
127000
152000
188000
238000
316000
325000
384000
432000
488000
560000
570000
2.5
4
5
6
8
9
12
19
25
30
38
44
50
62
86
87
100
125
188
250
28
42
56
70
84
98
140
210
280
350
420
490
560
700
840
950
1120
1400
2100
2800
3-6
4-6
5-6
5-6
6-0
6-6
7-6
8-6
9-6
10-6
10-6
11-6
12-0
13-6
14-6
14-6
15-6
16-6
20-6
22-6
600000
800000
1000000
List of operational Large size Biogas Plants in pakistan
District Lahore
Sr.No
.
01
02
Name & Address

Dr. Sami, village Barka,
Burki
Road
Mian Tariq, village Karyal
capacit
y
30M3
Purpose
90M3
Genrator
Generator
5kw
52 | P a g e
5
8
11
14
17
19
28
42
56
70
84
98
112
140
168
196
224
280
420
560
1.68
2.52
3.36
4.20
5.40
5.88
8.40
12.60
16.60
21.00
25.20
29.40
33.60
42.00
50.40
58.80
67.20
84.20
126.00
168.00
03
Mr. Zafaryab Khan, village

Burka Barki Road
80M3
30 KVA
dual fuel
30:70
Tube-well
District Sheikhupura
Sr.No
.
04
Name & Address

Mr. Mian M. Saeed, Chand
Bagh Road
capacit
y
40M3
Purpose
capacit
y
30M3
Purpose
capacit
y
20M3
Purpose
capacit
y
Purpose
Generator/
Tube-well
District Gujranwala
Sr.No
.
05
Name & Address

Mr. Abdul Qadeer s/o M.
Rafique, Basti Arian
Commercial
Cooking
District Toba Tek Singh

Sr.No
.
06
Name & Address

Mr. Rana Mudassor Iqbal
Umer Restaurant, Toba
Bypass
Commercial
cooking
District Jhang
Sr.No
.
Name & Address
53 | P a g e
07
Mr. Khuda Bux Bharwana,

Satiana,
40M3
Generator
5kw
capacit
y
15M3
Purpose
District Pakpattan
Sr.No
.
08
Name & Address
09
Mr. Sajjad Ahmed, village

Hajipura
Mr. Munir Ahmed, village
Fazal Garh
Mr. Qudrat Ullah, village
Fazal Garh
Mr. Javed Ahmad, village
Fazal Garh
10
11
12
Dr. Maqbool Ahmed,

Mohallah Mochipura
15M3
10M3
14M3
10M3
Commercial
for Sherbat
making
Tube-well
30:70
Tulbe-well
30:70
Tube-well
30:70
Tkube-well
District Vehari
Sr.No
.
13
Name & Address

Mr. Tariq Mehmood, village
Talookpur, Tehsil Malsi
capacit
y
25M3
Purpose
capacit
y
25M3
Purpose
Peter
Engine
Tube-well
District Multan
Sr.No
.
14
Name & Address

Mr. Hasnain Raza, village
Larr Sourth, Tehsil jalalpur
Pirwala
Cooking
District Bahawalpur
54 | P a g e
Sr.No
.
15
Name & Address

Mr. Sarfraz Alhmed, Tehsil
Hasilpur
capacit
y
25M3
Purpose
capacit
y
15M3
Purpose
15M3
Cooking
15M3
Cooking
Cooking
District Lodhran
Sr.No
.
16
17
18
Name & Address

Mr. Arshad, Basti
Layallpur Tehsil Karor
Pacca
Bashir Ahmad, Basti
Jandwala doMr. Maqsood Ahmad,
Rafiqabad, -do-
Cooking
DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE WORLD

Biogas is being produced and used as a source of energy in many countries. The development of
biogas in different countries is discussed below.
United States
Biogas is started to become a popular source of energy and is starting to be utilized in the United
States. In 2003, the United States consumed 147 trillion BTU of energy from biogas, about 0.6%
of the total U.S. natural gas consumption. According to a 2008 study, collected by the Science
and Children magazine, methane biogas from cow manure would be sufficient to produce 100
billion kilowatt hours enough to power millions of homes across America. Furthermore, methane
55 | P a g e
biogas has been tested to prove that it can reduce 99 million metric tons of greenhouse gas
emissions or about 4% of the greenhouse gases produced by the United States. In Hereford,
Texas, cow manure is being used to power an ethanol power plant. By switching to methane
biogas, the ethanol power plant has saved one thousand barrels of oil a day. Overall, the power
plant has reduced transportation costs and will be opening many more jobs for future power
plants that will be relying on biogas.
UK
There are currently around 60 non-sewage biogas plants in the UK, most are on-farm. On 5
October 2010, biogas was injected into the UK gas grid for the first time. Sewage from over
30,000 Oxfordshire homes is sent to Didcot sewage treatment works, where it is treated in an
anaerobic digestor to produce biogas, which is then cleaned to provide gas for approximately 200
homes.
56 | P a g e
biogas plant in wales

Germany
Germany is Europe's biggest biogas producer as it is the market leader in biogas technology. In
2010 there were 5,905 biogas plants operating throughout the whole country. Usually the biogas
plants are directly connected with a CHP which produces electric power by burning the bio
methane. The electrical power is then fed into the public power grid. In 2010, the total installed
electrical capacity of these power plants was 2,291 MW which is 12.6 per cent of the total
generated renewable electricity. Biogas in Germany is mostly produced from crops mixed with
manure, the main crop utilized is corn. Organic waste and industrial and agricultural residues
such as waste from the food industry are also used for biogas generation. Biogas production in
Germany has developed rapidly over the last 20 years.
57 | P a g e
Corn-Mania Biogas in Germany
Indian subcontinent
In India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of
manure in small-scale digestion facilities. It is estimated that such facilities exist in over two
million households in India and in thousands in Pakistan, particularly North Punjab, due to the
thriving population of livestock. The digester is an airtight circular pit made of concrete with a
pipe connection. The manure is directed to the pit, usually directly from the cattle shed. The pit is
then filled with a required quantity of wastewater. The gas pipe is connected to the kitchen
fireplace through control valves. The combustion of this biogas has very little odour or smoke.
Owing to simplicity in implementation and use of cheap raw materials in villages, it is one of the
most environmentally sound energy sources for rural needs in Pakistan and India. In Pakistan,
the Rural Support Programmes Network is running the Pakistan Domestic Biogas
Programme[46] which has installed over 1500 biogas plants and aims to develop the Biogas
Sector in Pakistan. . In Nepal, the government provides subsidies to build biogas plant.
58 | P a g e
Biogas plant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Biotech India Integrated Waste Treatment Biogas Plant

59 | P a g e
China
The Chinese have been experimenting with the applications of biogas since 1958. China is well
known for its rural biogas utilization program. Since the 50th more than 35 million household
scale biogas digesters with an estimated annual biogas output of 12 million m3 were installed.
The development target is 80 million units by 2020, including the climatically colder regions in
the northern parts of China. During the last years the technology has met high growth rates. This
seems to be the earliest developments in generating biogas from agricultural waste. The total
number of biogas projects in China is more than that in Germany. However, the production scale,
efficiency, and profitability are not as well-developed as Germen biogas industry is.
Biogas Plant In China
Developing Nations
Depending on size and location, a typical brick made fixed dome biogas plant can be installed at
60 | P a g e
the yard of a rural household with the investment between 300 to 500 US $ in Asian countries
and up to 1400 US $ in the African context. A high quality biogas plant needs minimum
maintenance costs and can produce gas for at least 1520 years without major problems and reinvestments Domestic biogas technology is a proven and established technology in many parts of
the world, especially Asia.Several countries in this region have embarked on large-scale
programmes on domestic biogas, such as China and India. The Netherlands Development
Organisation, SNV, supports national programmes on domestic biogas that aim to establish
commercial-viable domestic biogas sectors in which local companies market, install and service
biogas plants for households. In Asia, SNV is working in Nepal, Vietnam, Bangladesh,Bhutan,
Cambodia, Pakistan and Indonesia, and in Africa; Rwanda, Senegal, Burkina Faso,
Ethiopia,Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Benin and Cameroon.
Biogas Plant In Pakistan
BEST OPTION FOR FUTURE

In view of the prevailing situation, promotion of the biogas technology (B.T.) seems to be one of
the best options which could, not only partially offset the fossil fuel and fuel wood consumption
but also could facilitate recycling of agro-animal residues as a bio-fertilizer. Moreover, being
clean and renewable, it would also contribute towards environment protection, sustenance of
ecosystem and conservation of biodiversity.
61 | P a g e
There is however, a tremendous need to promote public awareness, in particular, among youth
and women, on the use of bio-energy (biogas) and bio-fertilizer and also to create awareness and
know-how about eco-system management, conservation of bio-diversity and sustainable use of
natural resources.
Due to mass Social acceptance, the Government of Pakistan has asked PCRET to launch mega
project on the biogas technology by installing 25,000 biogas units all over the country to not only
cater the needs of cooking but also for agriculture and commercial purpose in order to meet the
shortage of gas and electricity in the country. It is hoped that after approval from concerned
quarters the project will pave way on mass-scale dissemination of an environment friendly
technology; which apart from being green has enormous benefits to the public at the country.
62 | P a g e
Conclusions
With rapid increase in population and industry, energy needs are on rise. Almost 7million m3
wood is used for commercial and domestic purpose annually in Pakistan. Biogas energy
generation systems are in demand and their number is increasing steadily. They are cheaper and
can be run with very low operating cost. This bio energy corridor can work as a good substitute
for nearly 70% of countrys population residing in rural areas. Installation of plants to bottle the
biogas can be another option. This will decentralize the source of energy and ensure
uninterrupted power supply to the villages in Pakistan. At present many agencies like PDDC,
PCRET and RSPN are working to disseminate this renewable energy technology. But the need of
a National policy is imperative to bring this technology at farmers
doorstep and boost its success rate.
If proper steps are taken by the country, there is no reason that we can with the developed
countries by utilizing renewable energy.
63 | P a g e
Recommendations
There are significant social, economic and environmental benefits of biogas
technology.The government of Pakistan through PCRET and Alternative Energy
Development Board(AEDB) should take the initiative and announce more funds and
support for this proven technology to be a part of our rural society. In parallel, the media
should raise the level of awareness among the rural community by highlighting the
benefits of this technology.NGOs and foreign investors should been couraged to invest in
this sector too.
However, a biogas plant seldom meets the owner's need for status and recognition.
Biogas technology has a poor image ("Biogas plants are built by dreamers for poor
people". If you do not want to seem one of the poor, you do not buy a biogas plant. The
image of the biogas plant must be improved.
Other wastes like sewage, kitchen, human excreta should also be utilized on mass scale in
addition to cow dung for funding for production of biogas.
Dependence of petroleum should be minimized and the masses should switch on to get
benefit from biogas.
It should be extended to electric generators, tube wells, ironing the clothes, lighting,
cooling, using biogas fans.
64 | P a g e
Bibliography
1. ftp://trabant.tr.fhhannover.de/Schwarzes_Brett/Schwermer/KleinbiogasanlagenTD/Literatur_zu_Biogas/Sasse_Bi
ogas_Plants.pdf
2. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Alternative-Energy-Potentials-Biogas-106816.html
3. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-biogas-plant.htm
4. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/advances-in-applied-science/vol1-iss2/AdSSR-2010-1-2-18.pdf
5. http://idosi.org/wasj/wasj9(5)/13.pdf
6.http://www.biogasmax.eu/media/r3_report_on_biogas_composition_and_engine_performance_
_092122100_1411_21072009.pdf
7. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/11/18/news/profit/biogas-an-answer-to-pakistan
%E2%80%99s-energy-crisis/
8. http://www.fluid-biogas.com/?page_id=154&lang=en
9. http://www.pcret.gov.pk/products_file/bio_energy.htm
10. http://rspn.org/our_projects/pdbp.html
11. http://www.economywatch.com/renewable-energy/advantages-of-biogas.html
12. http://ecovillage.org.in/ecopedia/alternate-energy/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-biogas
13. http://www.hivos.nl/eng/News/News/The-economic-benefits-of-biogas
65 | P a g e
Appendix
Anaerobic Digestion: it is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down

biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen.
Asthma: is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable
and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm.
Biodiversity: is the degree of variation of life forms within a given species.
Bio-Fertilizer: is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to
seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes
growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant.
Biomass Energy: is the energy by any organic materials that can be burned and used as a source
of fuel.
Critical Pressure: The pressure of a substance at its critical point.
Crust: local biology-sensitive structure.
Decentralized: is the process of dispersing decision-making governance closer to the people
and/or citizens.
Deforestation: is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted
to a non-forest use
Enzymes: is a protein formed by the body that acts as a catalyst to cause a certain desired
reaction.
Fatty Acids: is a carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic tail (chain).
Global Warming: is the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gas: is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal
infrared range.
Integrated: organized or structured so that constituent units function cooperatively.
Masons: a craftsman who lays bricks to construct brickwork.
Methanogen: are microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct in anoxic
conditions.
Micro Flora: the bacterial population in the intestine.
Mixing Pit: A pit in which drill mud is mixed and stored until the mud is cured and needed for
use as a drill circulation fluid.
Offensive: Disagreeable to the senses.
Photochemical Smog: It is the chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile
organic compounds in the atmosphere.
Renewable energy: it is energy that comes from natural resources.
Reside: to live permanently or for a considerable time.
Siloxane: is any chemical compound composed of units of the form R2SiO.
66 | P a g e
Slurry: any fluid mixture of a pulverized solid with a liquid (usually water). Erosion: Erosion is
the process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth's surface by natural processes
such as wind or water flow, and then transported and deposited in other locations.
Soot: a black, carbonaceous substance produced during incomplete combustion of coal, wood,
oil, etc.
Stakeholder: a person, group, organization, member or system who affects or can be affected by
an organization's actions.
Substrate: the reactant which is consumed during a catalytic or enzymatic reaction.
Sustainable: in a general sense is the capacity to support, maintain or endure.
Volatile: a measure of the tendency of a substance to vaporize.
Quarry: is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted.
67 | P a g e
RESEARCH TOOL
We have chosen INTERVIEW as our RESEARCH TOOL. We have conducted interviews of

specialist people related to this field.
1ST INTERVIEW
We have conducted the interview of Engr. Sami Ullah Shaikh who is working under the
department of PCRET which is under the Ministry of Science & Technology. He is also
the Head of Biogas field in Punjab.
Here are some of the highlights of the interview we conducted.
Q. Firstly tell us that Biogas is which kind of gas. How it is made and whats its composition?
Ans. Biogas is made by the anaerobic fermentation of biomass mainly the cow dung. Methane is
the main component of biogas while others gases are also present like carbon dioxide, nitrogen
etc. Biogas is very similar to natural gas known as sui gas.
Q. What is the future of biogas in Pakistan?
Ans. Pakistan is in energy crisis now-a-days. And biogas can fulfill this energy as renewable
source.
Q. Which things are necessary for a farmer to install a biogas plant?
Ans. The main component of biogas is cow dung. So, the farmer must contain cows, buffaloes
along with water.
Q. Your department install plants in different areas of Punjab, so uptill now which is the biggest
plant you have installed?
Ans. Our department is the focal point of installing biogas plants.The biggest plant uptill now is
installed in district Lahore which is of 90 cubic metre.
Q. To run the tubewell, which capacity of plant is required?
68 | P a g e
Ans. To run a tubewell, 50 cubic metre per day capacity of plant is required.It can run on dual
fuel which means 70% biogas and 30% diesel, which means 70% diesel can be saved daily by
using this plant.
Q. What is the cost of plant that can run tubewell on it?
Ans. The price of 50 cubic metre plant is approximately 4 lakhs.
Q. What is the age of biogas plant?
Ans. The age of plant is 30-35 years if it is maintained properly, i.e. by applying paint on the gas
holder of the plant, age of the plant can be enhanced.
Q. How many plants your department has installed uptill now?
Ans. We have installed 5000 family size biogas plants throughout the country.
Q. How much is saving of the farmer who install the biogas plant?
Ans. Biogas can be used in different areas like for running tubewells, for ironing. It can also
used for fertilizers purpose, thus farmer can have a lot of saving.
Q. Give specifications of 3 & 5 cubic metre plants, how many people can fulfill their needs and
how many cows are necessary for these plants.
Ans. Talking about 3 cubic metre plant, only 3 cows are needed for it and 7-8 people can fulfill
their cooking needs by using this plant. And cow dung of 5-6 animals is sufficient for 5 cubic
metre plant and 12-13 people can fulfill their cooking needs.
Q. What do you think about the biogas potential in Pakistan?
Ans. In Pakistan, its utilization is very limited.But now due to energy crisis we are facing, many
NGOs and govt. departments are switched to biogas as a renewable source to overcome the
energy crisis.
Q. We have concluded that in future biogas can be used to overcome this energy crisis?
Ans. Sure, biogas can fulfill the needs of the country in terms of energy.
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2ND INTERVIEW
We have also conducted the interview of Akhtar Ali. He is the Field Manager working under
thhe department of PCRET.
Here are some of the highlights of the interview we conducted.
Q. Firstly tell us that Biogas is which kind of gas. How it is made and whats its composition?
Ans. Biogas is made by the anaerobic fermentation of biogredable materials. Methane and
carbon dioxide are the main component of biogas while others gases are also present like
nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, oxygen etc. Biogas is very similar to natural gas known as sui gas.
Q. What is the future of biogas in Pakistan?
Ans. The future of biogas is very bright in Pakistan. As you know that Pakistan is the 5th largest
country in livestock. So we can use it to fulfill our energy demands.
Q. Which things are necessary for a farmer to install a biogas plant?
Ans. As you know that the main component of biogas is cow dung. So the farmer must contain
sufficient number of cows to run the biogas plant. Sufficient availability of sunlight in that area is
also very important for the biogas so the farmer should built biogas plant in that area where
sunlight is sufficient.
Q. What is the age of biogas plant?
Ans. The age of biogas plant is approximately 40 years. It depends upon its maintenance. If it is
maintained properly then the age can be enhanced. The age of plant can be enhanced by
applying regularly paint on the gas holder of the plant.
Q. How much is saving of the farmer who install the biogas plant?
Ans. Biogas is the alternative of the sui gas. As the demand and prices of sui gas are raising and
increasing day by day so it is difficult for a poor farmer to pay, if he install a biogas plant he will
get gas for cooking in free because there are only installment price of biogas after that it is free
of cost so know you can guess about the savings of the farmer who install the biogas plant.
70 | P a g e
Q. What do you think about the biogas potential in Pakistan?

Ans. The potential of biogas in Pakistan is very high. But the problem is that its utilization is
very limited. The people of Pakistan are not so educated due to which they are unaware about the
advantages and benefits of biogas. Pakistan is very blessed country and our country is rich in
sunlight. Talking about the animals, as I told you earlier they are present abundantly in Pakistan
so the potential of biogas is present. The need of the hour is that we should maximize its
utilization so we may able to overcome the energy crisis which is the main problem in our
country.
Q. Give some benefits of biogas?
Ans. There are many benefits of biogas. Biogas is safe and useful for cooking and heating
because of more heat produced the time required for cooking is lesser. Annually, each biogas
plant can save more than four ton's of firewood and 32 liters of kerosene. Each biogas plant
produces about five ton's of bio-fertilizer annually, which can replace chemical fertilizer. A
single biogas system with a volume of 100 cubic feet (2,8 m3) can save as much as 0.3 acres
(0,12 ha) of forest (woodland) each year. Methane gas can be used an alternative to liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG), since calorific value of methane gas produced is better than the LPG's.
Q. Give your final conclusion about the future of biogas?
Ans. Due to the present energy crisis, many NGOs and the govt. departments are looking for
biogas, because biogas is a renewable energy and it is very cheap as compared to other fuels and
it has no environmental hazards. It is easy and safe to use. In short, biogas is a cheap source that
can fulfill the energy demands of the whole world.
.
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Biogas: Submitted To: Sir Rauf Akhter

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BIOGAS

To whom it may concerns,

Signature and official

Sir Rauf Akhter

Bio-Gas Plant In Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Information about Biogas Plant In Pakistan

Bio gas is made from organic waste matter after it is decomposed

Typical composition of biogas

Graphical representation of typical composition of biogas

GENERAL PROPERTIES OF BIOGAS

It has no offensive smell.

It burns with a clean blue soot less flame.

Its critical pressure is 42 atm. And temp. is 82 C.

Its caloric value is 4700-6000 kcal/m^3 (20-24 MJ/m^3).

Its thermal efficiency in a standard burner is 60%.

Parts Of Bio-Gas Generator Or Biogas Plant

7) Gas outlet pipe and valve:

Operation Of Biogas Plants

Preparation to starting the plant

Optimization of startup process

Characteristics of breaking-in period

Gas holder preparation

Biogas production in rural Germany

FEED MATERIAL FOR BIOGAS PLANT

Plant wastes ( Husk, grass, weeds etc.)

Industrial wastes(Saw dust, wastes from food processing industries)

Domestic wastes (Vegetable peels, waste food materials)

PRODUCTIVITY OF BIOGAS FEED STOCKS

Gas yield per unit mass of feedstock

gas yield per unit mass of feedstock

Graphical view of productivity of biogas feed stocks

APPARATUS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS

TYPES OF BIOGAS PLANTS

The most important types of biogas plants are described.

4. Fixed dome plants need exact planning of levels.

Fixed-dome plant in Tunesia. The final layers of the

Water-jacket plant with external guide frame : 1

Floating-drum plant in Mauretania

Scheme of Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester

Low-Cost Tube Digester Altiplano of Bolivia

3. There is only little scope for the creation of local employment.

Rubber-balloon biogas plants

DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANTS

3. Spherical Shell Of Masonary Construction

4. Masonry and mortar

FACTORS AFFECTING BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Biogas Potential Of Feedstock

Hydraulic Retention Time

EFFECT OF METALS ON BIOGAS PRODUCTION

ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATIONS

Electricity from Biogas in Thailand

12. There is tremendous potential to generate biogas energy.

A biogas bus in Linkping, Sweden

17. Health benefits of biogas and the improvement of hygienic conditions.

Health Benefits Of Biogas

Problems in the past

3:15 hours daily 2:45 hours

4:30 hours / day which could be utilized by working women on

Provides soot-free fuel to meet domestic energy needs.

(iv)Contributes sustaining neat, clean and environment friendly atmosphere.

4. Transportation of biogas through pipe over long distances is difficult.

BIOGAS A SOURCE OF ALTERNATE ENERGY