Synthesis of Biogas by Anaerobic Digestion: An Indian Context

Energy is most important for economic growth and human development. Every day, we come across food, vegetable wastes and other organic wastes that have huge potential to uplift the society in a better way, when these are transformed into useful bioenergy. To produce bioenergy from biomass one of the better options is to utilize these potential wastes to transform it into biogas. Today, the entire world is looking for different alternative fuels. Biogas is one of the good alternative fuels, energy rich and is well suited as domestic fuel, for heating purposes and power generation. The sources available for the production of biogas are fruit, vegetable wastes and agricultural residues. Biogas from such solid wastes primarily constitutes of methane, carbon dioxide and other trace gases. It is a clean fuel with a calorific value between 5000 to 5500 kcal/kg. There are two methods available for the production of biogas from organic wastes (Dry and Wet Processes). The dry processes include combustion and pyrolysis, whereas the wet processes include anaerobic digestion, gasification and fermentation. This book will be especially useful for Chemical, Mechanical & Agricultural Engineers.