4.

BIO-ENERGY
UNIT - 4

COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING

B.E / B.TECH – 6 th Semester ( Autonomous Regulation 2024 )

OEE351 – RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM

UNIT IV
BIO-ENERGY
Energy from biomass, Principle of biomass conversion technologies/process and
their classification, Bio gas generation, types of biogas plants, selection of site for
biogas plant, classification of biogas plants, Advantage and disadvantages of biogas
generation, thermal gasification of biomass, biomass gasifies, Application of
biomass and biogas plants and their economics.

4.1 Energy from biomass :

4.1 .1 Biomass:
Biomass is renewable organic material that comes from plants and animals.
Biomass can be burned directly for heat or converted to liquid and gaseous fuels
through various processes. Biomass is used for heating and electricity generation and
as a transportation fuel. Biomass is an important fuel in many countries, especially
in developing countries for cooking and heating.

4.1 .2 Energy from Biomass:

Biomass sources for energy include:

1. Wood and Wood Waste – Firewood, sawdust, and wood chips.

2. Agricultural Residues – Crop leftovers like straw, corn stalks, and sugarcane
bagasse.
3. Animal Waste – Manure from livestock used for biogas production.
4. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) – Organic components from household and
industrial waste.
5. Algae and Energy Crops – Specially grown crops like switchgrass and algae
for biofuel production.

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4.2 Principle of biomass conversion technologies/process and their

classification:
Biomass is converted to energy through various processes, including:

1. Direct combustion (burning) to produce heat

2. Thermochemical conversion to produce solid, gaseous, and liquid fuels

3. Chemical conversion to produce liquid fuels

4. Biological conversion to produce liquid and gaseous fuels

Direct combustion is the most common method for converting biomass to useful
energy. All biomass can be burned directly for heating buildings and water, for
providing industrial process heat, and for generating electricity in steam turbines.
Biomass conversion techniques encompass the various processes of transforming
organic material into energy or other valuable products. These techniques are
broadly categorize into physicochemical, thermochemical, and biochemical
methods.

Physicochemical Conversion of Biomass:

Physicochemical conversion utilizes physical and chemical processes to modify
the structure of biomass. Key methods include:
1. Torrefaction: In this process, biomass is heated without oxygen at
temperatures between 200°C and 300°C. The process removes moisture and
volatile compounds, resulting in a solid product known as biochar or bio-coal,
often used as a fuel for power generation or combined with coal in co-firing.
2. Hydrothermal Conversion: This method uses water, high temperatures, and
pressure to break down biomass.
o Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) converts biomass into a mixture of bio-oil,
water, and solid residue by heating it in water at 250°C to 400°C. Bio-oil is
further refine into fuels and chemicals.
o Hydrothermal Gasification (HTG) involves converting biomass into syngas,
a mix of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is utilise for power generation
or as a precursor for other chemical processes.

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3. Supercritical Fluid Extraction: In this technique, biomass is treated with

supercritical fluids like carbon dioxide, acting as a gas and a liquid under
specific conditions. This method extracts high-value components such as
essential oils and bioactive compounds from biomass. The process is
environmentally friendly as the CO2 can be recycle.
4. Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC): HTC is a process where biomass
convertes into hydrochar by subjecting it to temperatures between 180°C and
250°C under high pressure in the presence of water. This process is
particularly effective for wet or high-moisture biomass and produces a
carbon-rich material that can be used for energy or as a soil additive.

Thermochemical Conversion Of Biomass

Thermochemical conversion uses heat to transform biomass into energy or other
products. It is especially effective for dry biomass like wood and agricultural
residues. The main thermochemical methods include:
1. Combustion: This is the most common method. Here, biomass is burned in
the presence of oxygen to generate heat. This heat is use directly for heating
or to produce steam that drives turbines for electricity generation. The
combustion efficiency depends on factors such as temperature, the moisture
content of the biomass, and air supply.
2. Pyrolysis: Pyrolysis involves heating biomass in the absence of oxygen,
resulting in the production of biochar, bio-oil, and syngas.
o Slow Pyrolysis occurs at lower temperatures (around 400°C to 600°C) and
over an extended period, producing mainly biochar.
o Fast Pyrolysis happens at higher temperatures (400°C to 800°C) and with
rapid heating rates, leading to higher yields of bio-oil, which can be refined
into fuels.
3. Gasification: Gasification partially oxidizes biomass at high temperatures
(500°C to 1400°C) to produce syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide,
hydrogen, and other gases. These syngas can generate electricity, produce
heat, or serve as a feedstock for chemical production. The process includes

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Pyrolysis, followed by oxidation and reduction reactions, and requires careful

management of by-products like tar and ash to maintain efficiency.

Biochemical Conversion
Biochemical conversion relies on biological processes to break down biomass
into energy-rich products. Essential biochemical methods include:

1. Anaerobic Digestion: This process breaks down organic material without

oxygen, producing biogas, primarily composed of methane and carbon
dioxide. Biogas is utilise for heating, electricity generation, or vehicle fuel.
Anaerobic digestion is commonly utilise in biogas plants. Here organic
waste like animal manure or food waste is converted into energy
and digestate, a nutrient-rich fertilizer.

2. Fermentation involves using microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast, to

convert sugars and starches in biomass into ethanol or other biofuels. For
example, yeast ferments sugar into ethanol, which can be used as a biofuel or
in alcoholic beverages.
The process typically occurs at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C
and can be adapted to produce a variety of biofuels and biochemicals.

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Fig 4.1 – Photosynthesis Process

Fig 4.2 – Types of Boimass for Energy

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A renewable energy source that comes from living or recently living creatures
is called biomass. It is created by biological systems' metabolic processes (those of
plants and animals) and/or by the byproducts of those systems' breakdown or
conversion. These materials' chemical and energy worth is dependent on the bonds
between carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms. Utilizing biomass energy significantly
minimizes our reliance on outside energy sources. It improves national security and
offers a wider variety of fuel. Biomass can be utilized as an energy source directly by
being burned to produce heat or indirectly by being transformed into different types
of biofuel.

Fig 4.3 – Biomass energy diagram

Biomass power plants

The major source of renewable energy on Earth, biomass, is gaining

popularity. The combustion of plant or animal matter to produce energy and heat is
known as biomass. As opposed to fossil fuels, this method of energy generation has
the main advantage of using an unlimited resource because it is produced in an
environmentally friendly manner.

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Components of Biomass

o Equipment for managing and storing fuel.

o Pumps; Combustor/furnace
o Boiler;
o Fans.
o Steam engine.
o The generator
o The condenser.
o Refrigerating tower
o Controls for emissions and exhaust.
o System settings (automated).

Fig 4.4 – Components of Biomass

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Working of Biomass plant

A biomass plant is a construction that burns organic waste, to produce

electricity or heat. Steam is created during combustion, and this steam powers a
turbine to provide energy. Because the carbon dioxide generated during the burning
process is balanced by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the organic
materials used as fuel, biomass plants are regarded as renewable energy sources.
Certain types of biomass feedstocks, nevertheless, raise questions regarding their
environmental impact and long-term viability.

Biomass Power Generation modes

Biomass energy can be converted to useful power i.e., Electricity using the
following techniques
1. Combustion

2. Gasification Combustion

3. Mixed Burning

4. Gasification Mixed burning Combustion

Uses of Biomass:
 Electricity Generation: Biomass can be burned to produce steam, which
drives turbines to generate electricity.
 Biofuels: Conversion into bioethanol and biodiesel as alternatives to fossil
fuels.
 Heat Production: Used in homes and industries for heating purposes.
 Biogas: Anaerobic digestion of organic material produces methane-rich biogas
for cooking and power generation.

Advantages of Biomass Energy:

1. Renewable and widely available
2. Reduces reliance on fossil fuels
3. Helps manage waste by converting it into energy
4. Can be carbon-neutral when managed sustainably

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Challenges:

 Requires large amounts of land and water

 Can contribute to deforestation if not managed properly
 Efficiency is lower compared to some other renewable energy sources

4.3 Bio gas generation:

Biogas is an environmentally-friendly, renewable energy source produced
by the breakdown of organic matter such as food scraps and animal
waste. Biogas a renewable fuel that's produced when organic matter, such as
food or animal waste, is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of
oxygen. This process is called anaerobic digestion. For this to take place, the
waste material needs to be enclosed in an environment where there is no oxygen.
Biogas can occur naturally or as part of an industrial process to intentionally
create it as a fuel. Biogas is a renewable source of energy. It is a mixture of 55-65%
methane, 30-40% carbon dioxide, and the rest being the impurities (H, H, S, and
some N,), which can be produced from the decomposition of animals, and plant and
human waste.

Fig 4.5 – Biogas plant

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Moreover, the material from which the biogas is produced retains its value as
a fertilizer and can be returned to the soil. Biogas has been the material for its
production, hitherto. It is not only the excreta of the cattle but also the piggery waste
as well as poultry dropping that are very effectively used for biogas generation. A few
other materials through which biogas can be generated are algae. The biogas diagram
is shown below.

Biogas Power Plant

Biogas power plants take advantage of the natural decomposition process to

generate electricity. Because it is obtained from organic matter, as the gas is made
of methane, and Carbon dioxide, It is a clean but slow-burning gas and usually has
a calorific value between 5000 to 5500 kcal/kg (20935 to 23028 kJ/kg) or 38131
kJ/m³. It can be used directly in cooking, reducing the demand for firewood.

And this gas is used as a source of fuel.

4.4 Types of biogas plants:

Biogas is a mixture of methane, CO2 and small quantities of other gases
produced by anaerobic digestion of organic matter in an oxygen-free environment.
The precise composition of biogas depends on the type of feedstock and the
production pathway; these include the following main technologies:

Classification of Biogas plants

Biogas plants are mainly classified as

o Continuous and batch types (as per the process)

o The dome and the drum types
o Different variations in the drum type

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Construction of Biogas Plant

o A biogas plant consists of an underground digester, which is a well-shaped

tank constructed of bricks, and its dome-shaped roof, which is made of
cement and bricks. A type of airless sealed tank is called a digester (or
oxygen). The digester tank's dome serves as a gas storage tank or gas holder
for the biogas.
o The top of the dome has a gas outlet with a valve. Both the sloping inflow
chamber and the rectangular exit chamber on the digester tank's right side
are constructed of bricks.
o The exit chamber is used to remove the used dung slurry after the biogas has
been extracted, whilst the intake chamber is used to introduce new dung
slurry into the main digester tank.
o While the outlet chamber is connected to the overflow tank, the inlet chamber
is connected to a mixing tank.

Fig 4.6 – Biogas plant diagram

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Working of Biogas plant

o To prepare the slurry, cow dung, and water are combined in the mixing tank
in an equal ratio.
o Through the entrance chamber, this mixture of dung and water is supplied
into the digester tank.
o The dome of the digester tank is left free for the collection of biogas, while the
cylindrical level of the tank is filled with dung slurry.
o About 50 to 60 days pass until the new gas plant is operational (starts
functioning) During this time, anaerobic bacteria break down the cow dung
while there is water present (but no oxygen), gradually transforming the
process into biogas. The dome begins to fill with this biogas.
o The digester tank's slurry is under pressure as more and more biogas builds
up in the dome, which pushes the used slurry through the outflow chamber
and into the overflow tank. The used slurry is progressively evacuated from
the overflow tank. The leftover spent dung slurry from the biogas extraction
process is high in nitrogen and phosphorus compounds and makes excellent
manure. More fresh dung slurry is routinely added to the digester tank after
the gas plant is operational, which results in continuous biogas production.
o Through outlet S, the biogas that has accumulated in the digester tank's
dome is removed and sent through a system of pipes to residences in the
community for use as cooking gas.
o Biogas plants can also employ human excreta (human feces), in addition to
the cow dung that we currently use. Paper scrap, vegetable wastes, chicken
droppings, and agricultural wastes can all be utilized to create biogas.

Biogas is produced by anaerobic bacteria that degrade organic matter in four

general stages: hydrolysis, acidification, acetic acid production, and methane
production. The gas phase product of anaerobic digestion is named biogas and its
yield depends significantly on the substrate (raw material). Biogas is composed by a
mixture of 50–75% methane, 25–50% carbon dioxide, and 2–8% other gases
(nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, among others). The percentage of methane in
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the biogas mixture is the main component for its use as an energy source; this also
depends on the substrate that is used.

Biogas in the life cycle inventory process

The process of generating biogas, as well as its consecutive stages for the
production of electrical energy, consists of several stages. Figure mentions the
components for the design of a biogas utilization plant. Each of the stages can have
a different design depending on the needs and the type of substrate to be
fermented.

Fig 4.7 – Boundary limits for a biogas power plant life cycle inventory.

The development of the life cycle assessment can be separated into five main
stages: (i) the collection of the substrate and its storage, (ii) pretreatment of the
substrate, (iii) anaerobic digestion, (iv) pretreatment of biogas, and (v) generation of
electric power. Figure shows a gate-to-gate flow diagram of the inputs and outputs
of each of the stages of energy generation using biogas. The limits
in Figure indicate the use of biomass and digestate in the pretreatment and
anaerobic digestion stages, respectively, as well as outside the process of producing
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electricity through biogas. These processes can be considered by-products, which

would allow them to be included within the limits as outputs to the technosphere.
However, depending on the activities of the producers and the type of substrate,
this digestate can be considered as waste. For a general analysis focused on the
generation of electrical energy, these processes are considered as beside to the
generation of energy, for the present work.
The essential part to be considered in the life cycle inventory (LCI) in a biogas plant
is the infrastructure. Da Costa et al., mentioned infrastructure as part of the
processes to consider in carbon dioxide emissions. Studies catalog the generation of
emissions by infrastructure as low .However, the contribution percentage of this
system depends on the useful life of the plant because they are not constant
emissions .The maintenance, the configuration of the processes, and the type of
bioreactor among other factors influence the useful life of the plant.
The first stage in the balance of matter and energy is the collection and
storage of the substrate. It has been found that the variety of substrates used is
wide. The types of substrate most used are: animal manure, agricultural residues,
agroindustrial waste and even municipal organic waste . These residues vary in
composition, condition, density, as well as the type of collection and storage.
In Figure 1, electricity was considered as an entrance; however, transportation
plays a key role in this stage. Usually, substrates such as municipal waste are
confined in landfills. The sealing of the cell favors anaerobic microbial consortiums
that allow the generation of biogas. The same storage system fulfills the function of
bioreactor, suppressing the pretreatment stage. For cases such as the use of animal
waste, a more complex collection and storage system is necessary. These types of
plants are usually of small or medium scale and are located near the source of the
substrate. The collection of the substrate can be carried out by tractors or cargo
vehicles. Also, transport and storage depend on the logistics, as well as the source
of the substrate. The main factors to consider in this stage are the use of land and
the emissions generated by transportation.
As mentioned in Section 2, the pretreatment stage varies according to the
technology used. The access and availability of water are essential for the balance of

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material in this process. The relationship between the percentage of water and the
content of solids in the substrate influences the yield and production of biogas .
Veluchamy and Kalamdhad considered in their study a range of 80–85% humidity
for an optimal methane yield in the DA of lignocellulosic substrate. Good practices
mainly influence this stage and the use of water. Likewise, the electrical energy
consumed is a key factor in this stage depending on the separation technology.
Another important outlet is the residual organic matter. As already mentioned, this
biomass can be considered as waste or as a byproduct depending on the use. This
chapter focuses mainly on the generation of biogas and electricity. So the use of
biomass and digestate (in the DA stage) were not considered.

Produce Biogas:
Many organic waste materials, from various sectors such as agriculture, the food
industry and manufacturing, are well-suited for use as raw materials in biogas
production. Potential suppliers of raw materials/input for biogas plants include:
 Agriculture, with the cultivation of energy crops as well as animal excrement
produced by livestock
 The animal feed industry, with residues from their production
 Slaughterhouses, with their slaughterhouse waste
 Food production and processing industries
 Supermarkets (e.g. food products past their expiry date)
 Breweries, with spent grain and slop
 Restaurants, with food waste
 The ethanol industry (mash)
 The biofuel industry (e.g. glycerine)
 Treatment plants (sewage sludge)
 Agriculture, with the cultivation of energy crops as well as animal excrement
produced by livestock
 The animal feed industry, with residues from their production
 Slaughterhouses, with their slaughterhouse waste
 The food production and processing industries

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 Supermarkets (e.g. food products past their expiry date)

 Breweries, with spent grain and slop
 Restaurants, with food waste
 The ethanol industry (mash)
 The biofuel industry (e.g. glycerine)
 Treatment plants (sewage sludge)
Biogas is produced by decomposition of organic matter. Biogas is mainly
composed of methane. It burns with negligible smoke and leaves no residue. It can
be used as kitchen fuel. It can also be used for generating electricity.

Working of Biogas plant:

Fig 4.8 – Fixed Dome Biogas Plant

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A mixture of farm waste is fed into the biogas plant. This waste is mixed to make a
slurry.
 Slurry is then fed into the digester. Digester is an air-tight chamber and
oxygen is not present in it.
 Anaerobic bacteria in digester carry out decomposition of slurry. This results
in production of biogas.
 Biogas is sent out through an outlet so that it can be suitably used.
 Decomposed matter is taken out and it can be used as manure.

4.5 Selection of site for biogas plant:

Selecting the right location for a biogas plant is crucial for efficient operation,
safety, and cost-effectiveness. Several factors must be considered when choosing a
suitable site.

1. Key Factors for Site Selection

1.1 Availability of Raw Materials (Feedstock)

The plant should be close to a consistent source of organic waste such as:

1. Agricultural waste (crop residues, husks)

2. Animal manure (cow dung, poultry litter)

3. Food waste (restaurants, households)

4. Industrial waste (slaughterhouses, breweries)

If raw materials are far away, transportation costs increase, making the project
uneconomical.

1.2 Water Availability

Water is needed for mixing feedstock and maintaining digestion.

 A nearby water source (borewell, river, pond) is ideal.

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 The site should not be prone to waterlogging, as excess moisture can damage
structures.

1.3 Temperature and Climate Conditions

The location should have a stable temperature for microbial activity.

 Optimum temperature: 30-40°C (mesophilic) or 50-60°C (thermophilic).

 In cold regions, additional heating may be required, increasing costs.
 Wind and shade: Avoid very windy areas but ensure adequate sunlight if
using solar heating.

1.4 Proximity to Energy Users

The biogas plant should be close to the end users to minimize transmission losses
and piping costs.

 For household biogas: Near homes for cooking gas supply.

 For power generation: Close to industries or grid connections.
 For bio-CNG: Near filling stations or transport hubs.

1.5 Land Availability and Soil Conditions

Sufficient land is required for the digester, gas storage, pipelines, and slurry
management.

 The site should have firm, well-drained soil to prevent structural damage.
 Avoid flood-prone areas to prevent damage during heavy rains.

Do not choose rocky terrain, as excavation becomes difficult and costly.

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1.6 Safety and Environmental Factors

Ensure the site is far from residential areas to prevent odor issues.
There should be proper waste management to avoid pollution.
The plant should not be too close to water bodies (to prevent contamination).

Avoid locations near fire hazards, as methane is flammable.

1.7 Transportation and Accessibility

The site should have good road access for raw material delivery and
maintenance. Transportation routes should be planned for easy distribution of
biogas and bio-fertilizer.

Remote locations without road access can increase operational costs.

2. Ideal Site Layout for a Biogas Plant

An ideal biogas plant layout should include:

 Feedstock collection area (nearby for easy transport)

 Digester and gas storage tank (centralized for efficiency)
 Water supply connection (ensuring continuous availability)
 Biogas pipelines (minimizing distance to users)
 Slurry storage and treatment area (for bio-fertilizer use)
 Access roads (for maintenance and waste transport)

4.6 Advantage and disadvantages of biogas generation:

Advantages of Biogas

1. Biogas is a safe, cheap, renewable source of energy.

2. Biogas can be burnt in stoves to provide heat.
3. It is used for domestic and street lighting, and cooking.

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4. It is eco-friendly and does not cause any pollution.

5. It is also used for driving engines.
6. It is easy to generate, transport and store.
7. It improves the sanitation of the surroundings.
8. The residue left after the production of biogas can be used as manure.

Disadvantages of Biogas Generation:

1. High Initial Investment Cost

2. Inconsistent Biogas Production
3. Requires Constant Feedstock Supply
4. Biogas Purification is Necessary
5. Low Energy Density Compared to Natural Gas
6. Space Requirement for Biogas Plants
7. Temperature Sensitivity
8. Short Storage Life of Biogas
9. Limited Public Awareness and Technical Expertise
10. Risk of Methane Leakage

Uses of Biogas

1.Electricity Generation – Used in biogas engines to produce power.

2.Cooking & Heating – Alternative to LPG in households and industries.
3.Bio-CNG for Vehicles – After purification, biogas can replace fossil-based CNG.
4.Industrial Applications – Used in boilers and furnaces.
5.Waste Treatment – Reduces landfill waste and methane emissions.

Challenges in Biogas Generation

1.High Initial Cost – Requires infrastructure and investment.

2.Gas Purification Required – H₂S and CO₂ removal needed for high-quality fuel.
3.Continuous Feedstock Required – Needs a steady supply of organic waste.
4.Temperature Sensitivity – Microbial activity depends on ambient conditions.

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4.7 Thermal gasification of biomass:

1.Biomass Gasification

Thermal gasification of biomass is a process that converts solid biomass into

a combustible gas mixture, known as syngas (synthesis gas), through partial
oxidation at high temperatures (800–1200°C). This process occurs in a gasifier and
is an efficient way to produce clean energy from biomass.

2. Gasification Process

Biomass gasification involves four major steps:

(a) Drying (Moisture Removal)

 Biomass contains 10-50% moisture, which must be evaporated before further

reactions.
 Drying occurs at 100-200°C and releases water vapor.

(b) Pyrolysis (Decomposition of Biomass)

 Occurs at 200-700°C in the absence of oxygen.

 Biomass breaks down into char, volatile gases, and tars.

(c) Combustion (Partial Oxidation)

 A controlled amount of oxygen (O₂) or air is introduced.

 Carbon (C) reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon
monoxide (CO) while releasing heat.

(d) Reduction (Syngas Formation)

 CO₂ and water vapor react with hot char, forming carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrogen (H₂), and methane (CH₄).
 These gases make up the final syngas mixture.

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Biomass gasification is a process of converting solid biomass fuel into a gaseous

combustible gas (called producer gas) through a sequence of thermo-chemical
reactions. The gas is a low-heating value fuel, with a calorific value between 1000-
1200 kcal/Nm3 (kilo calorie per normal cubic metre).

Fig 4.9 – Gasification Process types

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Almost 2.5-3.0 Nm3 of gas can be obtained through gasification of about 1 kg of

air-dried biomass. Since the 1980's the research in biomass gasification has
significantly increased in developing countries, as they aim to achieve energy
security.

TERI independently began research work in gasifier technology in the mid-

1980s. Since, the gasifier technology has been customized for a range of direct-heat
application and tested successfully in the field. Silk processing, large-cardamom
drying and gasifier-based crematoria are a few examples of the applications worked
on at TERI. This technology is slowly replacing both traditional biomass use and
gas-powered systems, as it provides an excellent de-centralized source of energy at
an affordable cost. Apart from rural households, biomass fuels are the main source
of energy to a large number of small, rural and cottage industries.

4.8 Biomass Gasifies:

Gasification is conversion of solid Hydrocarboneous fuels (wood/ wood-
waste, agricultural residues, chicken manure, coal, Municipal Waste etc.) into
a combustible gas mixture called Producer Gas/ Syn Gas. The Gasifier is
essentially a chemical reactor where various physical and chemical processes
take place and break the solid fuel down into Producer Gases. Four distinct
processes take place in a gasifier:
1. Drying of the fuel:
The moisture in the feed comes out in this zone in the form of water
vapor. Drying takes place in the upper most portion of the Gasifier, through
heat transferred from the high temperature combustion zone.
2. Pyrolysis:
This is chemical decomposition of organic materials by heating in
absence of oxygen at temperatures above 200 degrees C. During pyrolysis,
volatiles are released (in the form of gas) and char is produced.
3. Combustion:
This is where controlled oxygen is given to the fuel and oxidation/
burning occurs. Heat and energy are released.
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4. Reduction:
The combustion products mainly CO 2 (Carbon-di-Oxide) and H 2 O (water
vapor) get reduced in the prensence of high temperature carbon to finally give
CO (Carbon-mono-oxide) and H2 (Hydrogen).
Biomass gasification
The word gasification implies converting a solid or liquid into a gaseous fuel
without leaving any solid carbonaceous residue.

Biomass Gasifier:

It is an equipment which can gasify a variety of biomass such as wood waste,

agricultural waste like stalks, and roots of various crops, maize crops, etc. The
gasifier is essentially a chemical reactor where various complex physical and
chemical processes take place.

Fig 4.10 – Biomass gasification diagram

Biomass gets dried, heated, pyrolyzed, partially oxidized, and reduced, as it

flows through it. The gas produced in the gasifier is a clean burning fuel having a
heating value of about 950-1200 kcal/m³. Hydrogen (18-20%), and carbon
monoxide (18- 24%) are the main constituents of the gas.

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Methods of converting biomass into useful forms of energy can be broadly classified
as:
1.Biochemical and
2.Thermochemical
In some cases the gasifiers can be installed without any heat recovery system. In
special cases, the gasifier systems can have recovery in the form of hot water.

Energy conversion from Biomass

Fig 4.11 – Energy conversion from Biomass

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Fig 4.12 – Processes in Gasification.

Fig 4.13 – Processes in Gasification.

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4.9 Application of biomass and biogas plants and their economics:

1. Applications of Biomass Energy

Biomass can be converted into various forms of energy, including heat,

electricity, and biofuels. The key applications include:

1.1 Electricity Generation

 Biomass is burned in boilers to produce steam, which drives turbines to

generate electricity.
 Gasification-based power plants convert biomass into syngas, which fuels gas
engines or turbines.
 Used in rural electrification and off-grid power solutions.

Example: Biomass power plants in India, USA, and Brazil use crop residues, wood
chips, and waste to generate electricity.

1.2 Industrial Heating and Process Energy

 Biomass-fired boilers provide heat for industries such as paper mills,

cement plants, and food processing.
 Gasification-based heat generation is used in steel and glass industries.
 Cogeneration (CHP – Combined Heat and Power): Simultaneous production
of electricity and heat from biomass.

Example: Sugar mills use bagasse (sugarcane residue) to generate steam and
electricity.

1.3 Biofuels Production

 Biogas (from anaerobic digestion) is used as a replacement for LPG or CNG.

 Bioethanol (from crops like sugarcane and corn) is blended with petrol.

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 Biodiesel (from vegetable oils and algae) is used in transport.

Example: Brazil's bioethanol program replaces 40% of gasoline with ethanol.

1.4 Cooking and Household Energy

 Biogas plants supply gas for cooking in rural households and community
kitchens.
 Biomass briquettes and pellets replace firewood and charcoal.
 Reduces indoor air pollution compared to traditional biomass burning.

Example: India’s National Biogas and Manure Management Program (NBMMP)

promotes biogas plants for rural cooking.

1.5 Waste Management and Environmental Benefits

 Biogas plants reduce landfill waste by converting organic waste into energy.
 Digestate (biogas plant byproduct) is used as organic fertilizer.
 Helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing methane
productively.

Example: Germany’s biogas plants convert municipal waste into energy, reducing
landfill use.

2. Economics of Biomass and Biogas Plants

The economic viability of biomass and biogas plants depends on capital costs,
operational costs, and revenue generation.

2.1 Cost of Biomass and Biogas Plants

Biomass Plant (USD per

Cost Factor Biogas Plant (USD per m³/day)
MW)
Capital Cost $1.5M - $3M $300 - $800
Operating Cost $30,000 - $100,000/year $0.05 - $0.10 per m³ of biogas
Maintenance
$20,000 - $50,000/year $5,000 - $20,000/year
Cost
Feedstock Cost $10 - $50 per ton Mostly free (waste-based

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Biomass Plant (USD per

Cost Factor Biogas Plant (USD per m³/day)
MW)
feedstock)

 Small-scale biogas plants (household level): $500 - $2,000

 Medium-scale plants (community level): $10,000 - $50,000
 Large industrial biogas plants: $1M+

2.2 Revenue Generation from Biomass & Biogas Plants

Revenue Source Potential Earnings

Electricity Sales $0.05 - $0.15 per kWh

Biogas as Cooking Fuel Saves $10 - $30 per household/month

Bio-CNG for Vehicles $0.50 - $1 per m³ of upgraded biogas

Organic Fertilizer (Digestate) $50 - $150 per ton

Carbon Credits $5 - $20 per ton of CO₂ saved

 Government subsidies and incentives improve project feasibility.

 Feed-in tariffs (FITs) for biomass electricity ensure stable revenue.
 Waste-to-energy plants reduce waste disposal costs.

Example: A 1 MW biomass power plant can generate $400,000 - $1M per year from
electricity sales alone.

3. Financial Feasibility & Payback Period

Annual Payback
Plant Type Investment
Revenue Period
Small Biogas Plant (Household, 2-6
$500 - $2,000 $200 - $500 2-5 years
m³/day)
Medium Biogas Plant (Community, $10,000 - $5,000 -
3-7 years
25-100 m³/day) $50,000 $15,000
Large Biogas Plant (Industrial, 500+ $500,000 -
$1M+ 5-10 years
m³/day) $2M
$400,000 -
Biomass Power Plant (1 MW) $1.5M - $3M 5-8 years
$1M

 Government incentives (subsidies, tax credits) shorten the payback period.

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 Selling excess electricity improves financial returns.

 Bio-CNG projects have a shorter payback due to high fuel demand.

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