The use of waste food instead of dung as feedstock makes this biogas plant distinct and more practical to use by people in both rural and urban areas
What comes to your mind first when “a biogas plant” is mentioned? Does the picture include a large smelly tank attached to a gas stove used mostly in villages?
Well, you might have been correct if not for an innovative compact biogas plant that uses waste food rather than cattle dung as the feedstock! Brainchild of Dr Anand Karve, a Pune-based biologist, this biogas plant can be used both in rural and urban households, thanks to the source of energy.
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| Dr Anand Karve Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI) |
The use of biogas – a mixture of mainly methane and some carbon dioxide – as an alternative to conventional fuels such as coal and LPG in rural households is not new. However, the size of the plant and its reliance on large quantities of cattle dung has acted as a dampener for urban households. Also, because of the dung’s low calorific value, the energy produced per kilogram of dung is low vis-à-vis waste food. It was this that made Dr Karve decide on replacing the traditional feedstock with waste food as the input. “It is known that methane gas can be produced from sugar, starch, cellulose and fat, and one kg of food waste (dry weight) – which contains starch, sugar, protein or fat – yields about 250 gms of methane. So I decided to replace dung used in a conventional biogas plant with waste food,” says Dr Karve, who runs Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), an NGO. The result was an efficient and less cumbersome device that can also be used in urban households.
Since 2006, nearly 3,000 such plants have been installed both in India and abroad in rural and urban households and in commercial establishments such as hostels and hotels.
Benefits
So why has this biogas plant aroused a lot of interest? There are several reasons behind this.
One, the conventional biogas plant produces 250 gms of biogas from 40 kgs of excreta in 40 days. In contrast, the new plant requires just 1 kg of sugar or starch – in the form of waste food from household or hotels, spoilt grain, overripe fruit, non-edible seeds, kitchen waste, etc. – to produce the same quantity of methane in just 24 hours. According to Dr Karve, through the use of this compact system it has been demonstrated that using feedstock having higher calorific value increases the efficiency of methane generation.
Two, the choice of feedstock facilitates its use in urban households. Reliance on cattle excreta has been one of the major restricting factors limiting its usage in urban homes. Traditional plants require approximately 40 kg of input on a daily basis, and have a high retention period of 40 days. The large quantity of input and the longer period require plenty of storage space, which is a major constraint in cities.
| How does it work? |
| The standard plant uses two tanks, which typically have a volume of 0.75 cu.m. and 1 cu.m. The smaller tank, which is the gas holder, is inverted over the larger one containing a mixture of feedstock and water. An inlet pipe is provided for adding feedstock and an overflow pipe for removing the digested residue. |
| A pipe takes the biogas to the kitchen, where it is used with a biogas stove. |
| The gas holder gradually rises as gas is produced, and sinks down again as the gas is used for cooking. |
| Initially the plant is fed with a starter mix, which contains either cattle dung mixed with water and waste flour or effluent from an existing biogas plant mixed with starch. The feeding of the plant is built up over a few weeks. |
Three, according to Dr. Karve the higher calorific value of the input results in better quality of gas thus produced. From the point of view of conversion of feedstock into methane, this system is 400 times more efficient than conventional system. He says, the biogas thus produced has all the virtues of LPG – it produces a clean blue flame, has the same intensity, provides finger tip control of flame, produces no soot and smoke, etc. As methane has the same calorific value as LPG, it becomes as efficient and cost effective too.

written by kp sajeevan, June 27, 2011
written by Mansur Khoja, June 27, 2011
written by v.alagesan, June 21, 2011
i want make cow wastage gas plant ,here wasted cow wastage ,so i request pls design the cow wastage plant how or u ill make it your self , my house in dharmapuri nearest pennagaram
written by nifty, April 13, 2011
written by nifty, April 13, 2011
written by SUGUNAN PILLAI, April 08, 2011
IAM SUGUNAN PILLAI KOLLAM DIST. IN KERALA STATE. I WISH TO START ONE BIO- GAS PLANT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY .P/S SEND YOUR ADVICE .
THANKING YOU,
SUGUNANPILLAI
written by paramjeet singh, March 14, 2011
written by Kulwant Singh, March 11, 2011
written by Suresh Zambre, February 10, 2011
biogas plant at my home. Please guide me about price and material details also installation
information.
written by Sumit Chauhan, January 28, 2011
I am very much interested to set up an Bio Gas Plant as well as I would like to know the viabilty to set up a gas plant from where we can put it in container and distribute on commercial basis in villages as well as encourage villagers to use the cow dung and other waste to produce this to save energy and protect nature.
Thank you.
VILL+PO: SHIKHARA
DIST:MEERUT
PINCODE:250001
MOB:09027569321,9027579321
written by nimesh desai, January 24, 2011
sir i am very exited and i really want to know more information about bio gas plant. i am also looking for such topic in which i can make my project. so please sir give me some report type information i will be oblissed to u my email id desai_nimesh1990@yahoo.com
written by seesat, January 17, 2011
I am interested in buying one fo the compact systems for my home in kerala. Please let me know the procedure and the cost for the same.
written by Pralhad Shimpi, January 12, 2011
written by Sumeet Kumar, January 11, 2011
I am Doing a project in my home town. It is like Delhi Hat.
I am aspired to look into biogas plant being used at site by kiosk, restaurant and Light pole.
Please guide me fisibility.
Greetings!!
written by Vinay Tyagi, October 11, 2010
Thanking You
Vinay Tyagi
written by Ila Sarkar, September 20, 2010
I am student of Engineering and i would like to study the biogas plant as a project work. so please give me permission and also share your valueable information about biogas plant.
Thanking You
Ila Sarkar
written by Jagadeeswaran.M, September 08, 2010
I am studying in University of madras,
i am staying in hostel,in hostel fuel(gas cylinder) shortage is the developing process.
It is increasing monthly.
i am the mess secretary in hostel.
so i am searching for alternative source.
so please help to knowing about biogas plant.
In our hostel we are staying 180 persons.
the alternative source help us to cook one time in a day it is help full for us,
then we manage with gas cylinder also
written by gitanjali thote, September 07, 2010
i am from vivekananda engineering college,chembur. we have a social responsibility team in our college.As a part of it we want to construct a biogas plant in village in mumbai.we need ur help in this .kindly send me all details of biogas plant and your contact no as early as possible
hope to receive your reply soon
written by SAGAR PATIL, August 19, 2010
If yes than how much?
written by Shreekant Tanksali, August 15, 2010
pl contact me .I want your help.
written by ankesh, August 05, 2010
i am interest in installing bio gas plant and wnt to supply at every house in my village BETUL near itarsi (m.p.) pl guide me on this matter.i want to know every thing about the project i.e.cost, material,land requirement
written by ankesh, August 05, 2010
written by Pawan Yadav, July 25, 2010
I am intrested to purchasing one biogas tank for home,if you are selling. Pls. tell about prize.
written by R.R.RAMAKRISHNAN, July 16, 2010
Iam living in Chennai,Tamil nadu.We have a lot of kitchen waste and it is being wasted daily.Where can I get your plant?
written by sanjay katewa, July 06, 2010
written by tanya gupta, May 09, 2010
written by anuj shah, May 04, 2010
i want to know the exact amount for installing a bio-gas plant, along with it if any one could provided me with the details of per unit cost.
written by NILESH PAWAR, May 02, 2010
written by Joy, April 17, 2010
I am interested in the Biogs equipments that you have mentioned ,plese let me know the details ..thanks
kjoy01@rediffmail.com
written by A Kulkarni, April 14, 2010
I am intrested in setting up biogas at my home but prior to that me and my family want to view some already set up biogas plant preferably in Nashik.
It will be very glad on my side if i get contact number or address of ARTI Nashik office(if any)
Thanks and regards
A Kulkarni
written by Lion.Sitharaman, April 11, 2010
I need full details and I am associating with NGOs
written by Lion.Sitharaman, April 11, 2010
Give me the cost and other technical data.
I am associating with NGOs who are concentrating recyling of soild/ liquid wastes.
written by Vihar Pancholi, January 19, 2010
Maverik Inc., Vadodara, Gujarat, we have already executed more than 10 large size Biomethanation Projects, which are supplying NG (Natural Gas) via pipeline in rural regions. ALl the Biogas Plants are being operated & managed by either villagers or Tribal people of the region.
Our Projects delivers not only Biogas but also the inevitable agro input the Organic Manure along with the Biogas. ALl our projects are profit centres in its own. Any one who is having more than 100 cattels or dairy farm can start the Biogas Project of its own. We can also help to fill the Biogas in Cyllinder & the end users can use them in place of LPG. Already 400 Cubic Meter Plant of Cyllinder Filling is operational in Gujarat comissioned by us.
MNRE is also encouraging such projects in rural areas as well as in industries. If there are sugarmills , distilleies facing spent wash / effluent water & press mud problems, we can help provide them solution with income generation opportunities.
For more details contact us on: info@maverikinc.com
Or call us on:+91 9898062970.
With Best Regards,
Vihar Pancholi
CEO
Maverik Inc.
written by vitthalthote, January 19, 2010
written by manoj gupta, December 26, 2009
Address: 1236/7 karnal
Haryana
india
written by Dr. R.K. Jain, December 24, 2009
My mail ID is drjain1958@gmail.com. Pl forward ncecssary details as I may be interested in bio gas storage and transportation technology.
Regards,
written by Ujjwal M. Bhagat , November 23, 2009
How to link with ARTI
I also promote the biogas at household level and create the demand
Please send the proper link for biogas plant supplier
Ujjwal M. Bhagat
STARS-socila Treatment Analyses and Research socitey
written by Ujjwal M. Bhagat , November 23, 2009
How to link with ARTI
I also promote the biogas at household level and create the demand
Please send the proper link for biogas plant supplier
Ujjwal M. Bhagat
STARS-Nagpur
written by r p singh, October 30, 2009
written by Mohan, October 26, 2009
Any plants operative in heights ranging from 5500 ft upto 7500 ft in Uttarakhand ? Does the system function in cold conditions/temperatures ? Thanks
written by mukesh valera, October 06, 2009
thanks
mukesh
written by Mohan.V.M., August 31, 2009
written by singaravelan.v, August 07, 2009
After reading ur document am verymuch interested to setup plant for my house, but i need further more information, if u update ur documents wit more information in web it will be very usefull to all
written by Ramesh Daryapurkar, July 09, 2009
We are working in the field of biogas generation from industrial wastewater for more than 12 years. We would be interested in exploring business opportunities in biogas storage at an affordable and safe manner. YOu may reach us at rd@larsenviro.com.
regards
Ramesh Daryapurkar
written by riyas, July 08, 2009
Please send me the details,as iam planning to start a biogas plant.
written by Kalyan Paul, June 28, 2009
written by RENJITH RAJ, June 28, 2009
written by AMUTHA JAYAKRISHNAN, June 25, 2009
written by Arun Kumar Agrawal, June 22, 2009
We would like to know about it and want to know the cost of establishment of a biogas plant as well as if it is viable we would like to pack it in cylinders and distribute in city area connected to villages as well as encourage villagers to save energy and make greener atmosphere.
pls send us a mail
written by Arun Kumar Agrawal, June 22, 2009
written by Hemant Arondekar, June 20, 2009
I would be greatly interested in this biogas business opportunity.
Would like to communicate.
My id hemant.arondekar@gmail.com
Regards
Hemant Arondekar
written by Sunil, April 23, 2009
My email is sunil_p_v@yahoo.com
Regards
sunil
written by Sunil, April 22, 2009
i am looking out for a biogas storage method.We are putting up a project to generate biogs - the plant to start with is about 2tons of input.Am interested in a biogas storage method.Please contact me ASAP.
rEGARDS
P V SUNIL
written by Sunil, April 22, 2009
Sir i am looking for a bio gas packing method- please contact me ASAP.
Regards sunil
written by Neha Agarwal, April 21, 2009
written by Building Equipment, April 03, 2009
written by anoop , April 03, 2009
written by mathews, April 02, 2009
written by Aswathi, March 18, 2009
If anybody wants to fabricate a biogas plant based on our design, they can follow instructions given in a video CD produced by us. It casts only Rs.170. to be sent to us as a Demand Draft drawn on any bank in Pune. Our address is Appropriate Rural Technology Institute, Maninee Apartments, Survey no. 13, Dhayarigaon, Pune 411 041. This CD shows step by step how to fabricate a biogas plant using two plastic water tanks. Those staying outside India can download the video from our website www.arti-india.org by paying through Pay Pal (instructions are included in the Website). In the case of hotels, hostels and restaurants, the biogas has to be custom made. For this purpose, somebody from our side has to visit the site and conduct discussions with the user. Such users may contact our office at 020-24390348 or 020-24392284.
written by N.karchiappan, March 17, 2009
send me the contact no tamilnadu
written by Kishore Kotecha, March 12, 2009
info@asiaticlion.org
Kishore Kotecha
written by Kishore Kotecha, March 12, 2009
We are construction a Resort in Gir Forest Area. Our attempt is to make it an eco-friendly resort. We would be interested in having more information, advice etc. Any one related please contact us directly.
Regards
Kishore KOtecha
written by rajasekhar reddy, March 11, 2009
We will discuss on Bio Gas Distribution. Please convey your email-id
with regards
rajasekhar
written by akhiloesh murukan, March 09, 2009
written by Sandeep Patel, March 04, 2009
Dear All,
If you know of anyone who is into generation of Bio-gas and has problem of storing excess Bio-gas, i can help provide a solution to not only generate more bio-gas but also store pack and transport and SELL like any other CNG / LPG gas for gr8 business opportunity, We are looking for people from Bio-gas industry to start selling Bio-gas like any other gas, Bio Gas Distribution Entrepreneurs are Welcome to start this opportunity.
Regards,
Sandeep Patel
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with regards
suresh babu