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BioCNG Gas Station, Process and Technology

Context: India’s first BioCNG gas station is located on the Deesa-Tharad highway in Dama village, Banaskantha district, Gujarat.

Case Study: Sustainable Energy and Agriculture Integration in Gujarat, India

Background

  • In Gujarat, India, a groundbreaking initiative has transformed cattle and buffalo dung into a valuable resource, showcasing an innovative approach to sustainable energy production and agricultural enhancement.
  • The Banaskantha District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union launched India’s first BioCNG outlet based on cattle and buffalo dung, setting a precedent for renewable energy and bio-fertilizer production.

BioCNG Gas Station

  • Location: The BioCNG outlet is situated on the Deesa-Tharad highway in Dama village, Banaskantha district, catering to 90-100 vehicles daily.
  • Capacity: The plant sells 550-600 kg of BioCNG per day, produced from 40 tonnes of dung.
  • Source: Dung is collected from 2,700-2,800 animals across five villages, contributing to the daily operation of the plant.

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Process and Technology

  • Biogas Production: Fresh dung undergoes anaerobic digestion in a 3,000 cubic metre digester, producing biogas containing 55-60% methane, CO2, and traces of hydrogen sulphide.
    • Anaerobic digestion is a process by which the complex organic matter in dung is broken down in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas.
    • The digestion involves four successive stages:
      • Hydrolysis (break-down of organic matter into simple molecules),
      • Acidogenesis (their conversion into volatile fatty acids),
      • Acetogenesis (production of acetic acid, CO2 and hydrogen) and
      • Methanogenesis (biogas generation).
    • Purification: The raw gas is purified for removing CO2 (through vacuum pressure swing adsorption or VPSA process), H2S (using activated carbon filter) and moisture (with air dryer separator).
    • End-Product: The end-product, purified (to 96-97% methane, 2-3% CO2 and below 0.1% H2S and moisture) and compressed, is stored in cascades.
      • This compressed biogas (CBG), conveyed through pipelines to the dispensers at the fuel station, is what’s being sold as BioCNG at Rs 72/kg.

BioCNG Gas Station, Process and Technology_4.1

Economic and Environmental Impact

  • Fuel and Fertilizer: The project not only provides renewable fuel but also produces bio-fertilizer, generating significant income from the sale of both products.
  • Investment and Expansion: Initiated with an Rs 8 crore investment, the project plans expansion with four more plants by 2025, supported by a Rs 230 crore investment from Suzuki Motor Corporation.
  • Farmers’ Benefit: Farmers receive Rs 1/kg for the dung and benefit from the sale of bio-fertilizers, enhancing their income and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Alternative Model in Anand District

  • Decentralised Biogas Solution: Jagrutiben Padhiyar, a dairy farmer at Mujkuva village in Gujarat’s Anand district, utilises a 2 cubic metre Flexi Biogas plant to convert dung into biogas for cooking, eliminating her dependency on LPG.
  • Community Impact: The success of decentralised biogas plants led by the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union demonstrates a scalable model for rural energy independence and economic growth.

About Bio CNG

  • Purification Process: Bio-CNG is created by purifying biogas, achieving a methane purity level of 95%.
  • Composition and Energy Potential: Bio-CNG composition and energy output closely match that of commercially available natural gas, with a calorific value of approximately 52,000 KJ/Kg.
  • By-Product Utilisation: The residue from the Bio-CNG production process is transformed into high-quality concentrated liquid fertilizer.
  • CO2 Capture and Utilisation: During the methane and CO2 separation process, CO2 is captured and packaged in cylinders, producing food-grade CO2 through a partnership with a leading European company.
  • Financial Viability: The production of Bio-CNG is financially viable, offering multiple streams of revenue from the sale of Bio-CNG, food-grade CO2, and both liquid and solid organic fertilizers.
  • Raw material sources of Bio-CNG:
    • Agri-Waste including rice straw
    • Municipal Sludge
    • Press Mud
    • Food Waste
    • Spent wash of Distillery,etc.

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About the Author

Sakshi Gupta is a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. Her objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. She has over five years of work experience in Ed-tech sector. She strive to make her content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!