Biogas Magazine Edition 20

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

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Bio-Energy Pavilion 2022 | 28-30 September | India Expo Centre, Greater Noida

MAGAZINE | EDITION 20 | 2022

Title Sponsor: Atmos Power Pvt. Ltd.

www.biogas-india.com

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

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Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

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Inside

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

CONTENTS

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Converting waste to Biogas ON-SITE

National Corner 08 IBA news 12 Biogas to Electricity 16 Importance of high-quality specialised

equipment for animal husbandry and Biogas plants

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Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 | Importance of high-quality specialised equipment for animal husbandry and Biogas plants

Biogas to Electricity

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12 International Corner 19 Converting waste to Biogas ON-SITE 22 A critical review of the VFA/TA (FOS/TAC) method

28 Legal condition of biogas developement in Iran

Published By

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Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

Editors

Savita Boral Abhijeet Mukherjee Designer Komal Raghav Administrator Vishal Kanchan Production Co-ordinator

Kavita Tanwar

About The “Indian Biogas Association” (IBA) is the first nationwide and professional biogas association for operators, manufacturers and planners of biogas plants, and representatives from public policy, science and research in India.

The association was established in 2011 and revamped in 2015 to promote a greener future through biogas. The motto of the association is “propagating biogas in a sustainable way”.

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“

Dear Reader, We hope that you are safe, healthy and in good spirits!

After experiencing many distinct phases, the biogas sector is now gaining momentum. We are confident of revival of Capex based subsidry of MNRE including the special focus on Gaushalas. Following the COVID pandemic and then Russia-Ukraine war, countries have realised the need for energy security. Biogas will play a crucial role in achieving this objective, as countries throughout the world are taking steps to become self-sufficient in the energy sector.

In this edition, we have included articles on feedstocks-based plants and different application of biogas. The article on equipment required for animal husbandry-based biogas plants and converting waste to biogas will provide a glimpse of how to handle wastes whereas the article on biogas to electricity will describe the utilization of biogas to generate electricity.

On the other hand, the critical review of some important parameters such as VFA/TA will give you a sense of the significance of technical parameters in the biogas process while the article on legal conditions of biogas development in Iran will provide you a perspective of Biogas scenario and role of legal policies at international level.

Recently, a special membership portal has been launched with an aim to have more structured and fruitful discussions.

As usual, in an effort to keep our readers up-to-date, we are continually working to provide them with current and updated information. Please let us know if there is a specific topic you would like us to cover. We would appreciate hearing your thoughts. To share your thoughts and views please write to us at vishal@biogas-india. com.

Wish you a Happy digesting and greener future!

/biogasindia /indianBiogasAssociation

Dr. A. R. Shukla President Indian Biogas Association

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

AD

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Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

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IBA’s commitment towards leapfrogging the

prospect in the biogas/bio-CNG indutry - Period: April - June, 2022

IBA makes industry recom- for CBG and organic manure, mendations to the Standing easy project financing, and a Committee, Lok Sabha robust feedstock supply chain ecosystem. In addition, it has In July, a meeting of the also been suggested that Standing Committee on “Pe- each of these recommendatroleum and Natural Gas” is tions be implemented into scheduled. The purpose of the action within a specific time meeting is to examine the im- frame , such as "short term" plementation of CBG (under (less than a year), "mid-term" the SATAT scheme), and in- (one to two years), and "longdustry stakeholders' thoughts term" (more than 2 years). and proposals will be heard.

As a precursor to the meet- IBA organizes and particiing, IBA has submitted a note pates in a series of webinars: to the committee seeking desired Ministerial help for On June 11, 2022, IBA along a variety of issues including, with Renewx India organized tax harmonization, umbrella a seminar on "Bio-Energy: a permit and clearances, con- must for the emerging India tinuation of subsidy, fair pric- energy market". The semiing, and marketing assistance nar, which was held at HITEX,

Hyderabad, centred on the overall development and sustainability of the biogas in India along with an opportunity to comprehend and enter the fast-growing Bioenergy market in India. Speakers from IBA, Armatec-FTS, PRESPL, CSIR, and ABPL presented in the session.

Furthermore, continuing with its series of webinars, IBA along with Smart Innovation Norway organized a virtual webinar, “Harnessing the bio-energy opportunities India” on June 15, 2022. The webinar was subscribed by over 250 participants, and it enabled industry stakeholders, especially global partic-

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

ipants, to gain a better understanding of the existing Indian ecosystem for biogas/ bio-CNG. Mr. M.P. Singh, Director, PEDA; Mr. Bijay Kumar, General Manager, IOCL; Dr. A. R. Shukla, President, IBA; Mr. Frank Hofmann, International Affairs, GBA; and Mr. Helge Tryti, Director-South Asia, Innovation Norway were all present to speak during the two-hour webinar.

prices with the contemporary CNG retail prices.

each event has been bigger than the last.

2. Also, based on the above indexing, a frequency needs to be set, preferably on a half-yearly or annual basis, for revising the CBG prices.

This time around, the pavilion and conference are intended to raise awareness about the Bio-Energy sector and bring together corporates, entrepreneurs, academics, social organizations, lending institutions, and investors.

IBA's persistent efforts to get the much-needed boost for the "CBG industry" paid off when IOCL recently (in May 2022) announced that the The webinar emphasized on CBG would be linked to the understanding the prevalent current retail selling price scenario of the Indian CBG (RSP) of CNG. industry, the role of different PSUs in providing needful Bio-Energy Pavilion, 2022 support to propel the SATAT scheme, and understanding The Indian Biogas Association the growth drivers of the Ger- is glad to announce that the man and Norwegian markets "Bio-Energy Pavilion 2022" through their success stories. will be at the Renewable EnGermany is the leader in the ergy India Expo, India Expo biogas industry, having estab- Mart in Greater Noida on lished nearly 10,000 commercial large scale biogas plants.

IBA's persistent request for the CBG purchase price to be "indexed” pays off In its latest letter to the relevant ministry (MoPNG), IBA recommended for price parity of CBG to its close substitute fuels by making "per unit of delivered calorific value/ Energy Value" the basis for deciding the selling price of a given fuel. IBA, on behalf of the stakeholders of the Biogas industry, requested the following to be incorporated on an immediate basis: 1. Appropriately index CBG

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September 28, 29, and 30, 2022. Putting aside the pandemic, IBA has been helping to organize the bio-pavilion for the past three years, and

Abhijeet Mukherjee Program Director

Indian Biogas Association

This will increase the sector's visibility. The intended goal is to improve scientific waste management practices, which are already supported by government programs like Swachh Bharat, Sustainable Alternative Technology for Affordable Transportation (SATAT), Solid Waste Management, Ethanol-Blending program, Compost Promotion scheme, etc.

Online Biogas Training is Live !

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

Register Now! www.biogas-india.com/iba-learning/ Contact Us: M: +91 7838447489 , +91 7727077257 E: vishal@biogas-india.com | events@biogasindia.com

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Biogas to Electricity

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

Aisin Biogas Power Generation System in India

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isin Corporation, Japan (a Group company of Toyota) planned to launch Biogas Power Generation system for Grid & offGrid applications business in India. Currently, Aisin Automotive Haryana Pvt. Ltd. – AHL (a subsidary company of Aisin Corporation, Japan) is planning to provide a complete solution for Biogas Power generation system (Figure 1 - Digester, Desulphurizer, Generators,) by using cow dung (animal waste). In future, it will be possible for the system to connect with food waste & agricultural waste.

Three years ago (Figure 2), AHL established a demo site (with cow dung) in Bangalore where the system has been continously generating elec-

tricity for the past 20,000 hours. With 1 cubic metre of Biogas, the gas engine generator – COREMO can produce 1.5 kW of electricity per hour.

Extra Biogas can be utilized or sold for the cooking. The Desulphurizer technology will remove H2s in the biogas to 0 ppm. In greenhouses, The CO2 from exhaust can be utilized for photosynthesis. The engine’s exhaust heat can be utilized to heat the digester during the winter and/or heat the water used for cleaning the dairy farm.

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● Reduces pollution ● Reduces the time wasted gathering firewood for cooking. ● Reduces reliance on fossil fuels ● Save the environment (Reduces deforestation) ● Improves living standards in rural areas. ● Reduces global warming ● Produces good quality enriched manure to improve soil fertility

● Effective and convenient way for sanitary disposal of Salient Benefits of Biogas organic wastes (food, animals, plant) Power Generation System ● Availability of power for 24x7 (1.5Kw per hour per engine)

● Improve the hygienic conditions

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Demo site – Biogas Power Generation system at Bangalore This particular demo site located at south-west of Bengaluru is the result of cohesive collaboration. The Biogas power generation project is the first of its kind in India to demonstrate a fully operational model of power generation from biogas using advanced and cutting-edge COREMO Gas engine generators.

mixed with equal quantity of water. To ensure efficient and high-quality fermentation within the bio-digester, the substrate is thoroughly mixed to prevent lump formation.

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Layout of Aisin Demo site (Sri Bhagyalakshmi Farms, Kolur, Ramohalli (PO), Bangalore) Periodically, any moisture that has accumulated in the biogas is extracted using a moisture trap. Two separate pipelines transport the biogas for electricity generation and cooking, respectively.

The main pipeline transports biogas for the purpose of generating electricity, where it passes through a desulfurizer for the removal of of Hydrogen Sulphide in the form of Sulphur before being fed to the Biogas engine generators. The Biogas Generators, known as COREMO, are constructed using Japanese Technology and can generate electricity continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Finally, undesirable elements such as hay straws are removed, prior to the material entering the inlet chamber.

The mixture of cow dung and water enters the bio digester through the inlet chamber, where anaerobic fermentation occurs and biogas is proWhile HQ imparts functional duced. The digester installed know-how and technological at demo site is a Floating expertise, Sri Bhagyalakshmi Dome type digester.

Farms, which owns a dairy farm with more than 100 The digester's other side is cows, provide daily consum- the outlet chamber which ables and local support. holds the liquid slurry coming out of the digester after Everyday cow dung is col- fermentation. The biogas lected and transported to contained in the digester’s the Mixing Chamber. After upper dome flows through The generated electricity is then supplied to a Main Supbeing unloaded into the mix- the blue pipes. ply Board, from which it is ing chamber, cow manure is distributed to several dairy

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farms. The generated electricity is used used in several dairy farm applications including dairy equipments, milking machines, controroom and lighting.

As a part of Thermal Application, the biogas is also distributed to the local population for daily cooking and heating.

The bio-digester output is collected in the outlet chamber. This slurry is predominantly liquid. However, this liquid slurry is pumped into a Solid Liquid Separator (SLS) that separates the solid particles from liquid. And this solid compost is bagged and further used by farmers as a organic fertilizers. As a part

of the R&D project, a control room has been established to monitor and evaluate critical technical parameters for the power generation.

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The Biogas power generation system is Empowering RURAL COMMUNITIES to be Self-sufficient & Self-sustainable for their Electricity Needs. Additionally, it proFurther vides a cleaner technology The Biogas Power Generation by reducing carbon emissions system is ideal for dairy farms into the atmosphere. with more than sixty heads of cattle. The users of Aisin’s system also receive Biogas for cooking and organic fertilizer for their crops, in addition to continuous electricity.

Dr. B. Vengatesan Senior Technical Advisor (R&D)

Aisin Automotive Haryana pvt. ltd.

+91 7838447489 , + 91 7727077257

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

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SAVECO A

WAMGROUP Brand

SEPCOM Screw Press Separators

External Motor Agitators

Submersible Agitators

Up to 30% separated solids

Adjustable & movable support

Low power consumption

Self adjusting counter-pressure

Low power consumption

Wide power spectrum

SINT® engineering polymer screw

Shaft length up to 5 meters

3 blade propeller

®

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Importance of high-quality specialised equipment for

Animal husbandry and Biogas plants

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lobally, anaerobic digestion (AD) in biogas plants is widely used to produce sustainable bioenergy from various organic feedstocks. There have been significant advancements in biogas technology and the design of specialised components. The emphasis should be placed on increasing methane gas yield while maintaining process performance and dependability.

Through SATAT scheme the Indian government has encouraged the development of compact biogas plants and made the gas available in the market as a vehicular fuel. Collaboration with major oil companies such as IOCL and BPCL provided off- take gaurantee i.e., the opportunity for the generated energy to be consumed. This has led to the development of plants with 100 TPD or more in ca-

pacity from feedstock perspective.

of fresh water. The aforementioned elements have highlighted the significance of Additionally, the concept of treating raw materials and dianaerobic co-digestion (An- gested slurry with specialised Cod) has gained popularity. equipment that guarantees Co-digestion refers to the the maximum performance. simultaneous anaerobic digestion process of multiple SAVECO®, a member of organic wastes in a digester, the globally operating which increases methane WAMGROUP®, provide stateproduction from low-yielding of-the¬art advanced solutions or difficult-to-digest materials through a comprehensive as a result of an increase in range of machines and equipvolatile solids. The versatility ment for material handling in of feedstock used, highlights Biogas plants through its SEPthe importance of treating COM® and CHIOR® divisions effluents through specialised SEPCOM® offers cutting-edge technologies. technology in solid-liquid separation including Screw Press After separation into solid Separators & Micro-filters. and liquid phases, biogas di- SEPCOM® Screw Press Sepgestate is an excellent organ- arators are the optimal soluic fertiliser. The solid phase tion to the issues regarding is a high-quality organic soil solid-liquid separation for diconditioner, while the liquid gestate in biogas plants. phase is an enriched liquid fertiliser. Recirculating the liq- SEPCOM® MFT Micro-filter uid reduces the consumption is a machine for the micro-fil-

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tration of slurries from a previous separation process of digestate from biogas generating processes. SEPCOM® has hundreds of solid-liquid separators operating in India.

Respected players in the biogas industry have endorsed the machine’s performance, which has proven to be quite effective.

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lifting slurry from animal husbandry, biogas digestate or industrial wastewater containing lumpy and fibrous solids. The highly efficient size reduction of the fibrous components in the material is caused by an innovative cutting system that ensures optimum pump operation even under harsh working conditions. Its compact design and reduced overall dimensions make the pump easy to handle and install.

CHIOR® offers a comprehensive range of submersible pumps and agitators for livestock effluents in open tanks as well as anaerobic digesters. Biomass Conveying & Feeding Bulk Biomass Digester The peculiar design of the Feeding System-TCB stainless-steel propeller guarantees high mixing efficiency Efficient digester feeding Bioeven with effluents with a mass conveying and feeding high solids content. Provid- refers to the extraction of the ed with an adjustable stain- solid fraction of biomass from less-steel bracket, CHIOR® SE the mixer / batcher and subSubmersible Agitators allow sequent lifting and feeding of quick installation on a vertical the material into the anaerobic digester in biogas plants. pipe.

CHIOR® SPB-type Submers- Shaftless Screw Conveyor ible Chopper Pumps are de- SSC problem free conveying signed for shredding and of Raw feedstock & difficult material.

SSC Shaftless Spiral (Screw) Conveyors have a high volume capacity and the ability to transport difficult materials such as digester feedstock.

They are designed for processing of urban solid waste, screenings and floating matter, de-watered, thickened, or conditioned sludge, packYatin Wadile Deputy General Manager WAM India Pvt. Ltd.

aged food, creams or pastes, as well as waste from meat, fish, fruit and vegetable processing.

The main sectors of application are waste water treatment, Biogas plants, Sugarhouse rejects, Fish industry, Solid waste treatment, Fruit and Vegetable processing plants, Beverage industry, Pulp and Paper, Chemical industry, Food industry in general, Meat processing plants, Abattoirs/Slaughterhouses, Restaurants, Canteens, and Catering in general.

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Converting Waste to Biogas ON-SITE

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uring the COP26 Summit on Climate Change, Prime Minister Modi committed India to achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2070. With the shorter-term objective of tripling the use of renewable energy and slashing India’s carbon emissions by a substantial amount by 2030 HomeBiogas has collaborated with a number of Indian companies to promote this objective through CSR projects in rural India, incorporating Biogas systems in order to advance the issues of women’s empowerment, sanitation in rural communities, economic development as well as environmental sustainability.

We develop biogas systems that enables individuals and businesses to convert their organic waste into clean energy for cooking or heating, on-site. It is a publicly traded Israeli company (TASE: HMGS) that develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells domestic and industrial-scale biogas systems that provide a comprehensive solution for waste management renewable energy generation, clean cooking, fertiliser production, and sanitation.

Biogas systems addresses the following challenges - Reduce methane emissions to combat climate change.

Our systems have prevened

86,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions to date. According to the recently published IPCC report, methane gas has more than eighty times the warming potential of carbon dioxide in the near future. Each unit reduces carbon emissions by 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes annually, which is currently valued between $5,000 and $10,000.

- Reduce Waste: To date, our systems have kept 15,000 tons of food waste in circulation.

- Renewable Energy: Our systems use anaerobic digestion to convert these organic materials into fuel for cooking

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and fertilizer.

- Cooking without smoke: Women in developing countries feel safer and healthier with Biogas systems which allow them to cook without smoke, in addition to allowing them to spend time previously spent collecting firewood on self-development activities.

Over 14,000 systems have been sold in 110 countries.

The company has recently signed new distribution agreements for its products in several countries Including India, Pacific Islands, Colombia, and El Salvador.

Today, the world produces more than 2 billion tons of solid waste, and by 2050, that number is projected to increase to 3.4 billion tonnes by volume, 44% of global waste includes food and organics.

Biogas is part of the circular economy, with a projected value of $4.5T by 2030. Circular economy business models offer a clear path to achieve our collective climate goals, tackling the greenhouse gas emissions tied to the extraction, processing, manufacturing, and landfilling of goods. Biogas systems create a closed ecological ecosystem: waste enters the system, which generates fertilizer to grow more food and gas to cook the food - which in turn produce leftovers that will go in the system and so on.

Each household system diverts 1 tonne of waste annually from landfills and offsets 6 tonnes of CO2 annually, which is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of a vehicle.

In a recent CSR project in India, HomeBiogas successfully installed 70 systems in Hardoi, that will convert cow manure and food waste into clean cooking gas and organic fertilizer. Hundreds of individuals now have daily access to clean renewable energy. This project contributes to women empowerment and gender equality in these communities, by allowing women to cook without inhaling harmful smoke, making them safer and healthier.

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ricultural practices are more sustainable.

Using the Biogas system as an on site waste management tool contributes significantly to manure management, health & sanitation, all of which are crucial for the resilience of communities & families in rural India. In addition, each Biogas system reduces GHG emissions by 6 tonnes per year. This makes a substantial contribution to the fight against climate change.

As the Biogas system now produces cooking fuel, each family will be able to save INR 1,200 per month on cooking fuel expenses. Pesticides and fertilisers result in average monthly savings of 3,215 INR. Chemicals and firewood-reIn addition to the benefits of lated expenses will also be reproducing biogas for cooking, duced, resulting in an average the farmers also have access monthly savings of 2,165 INR. to the chemical-free bio-fertilizer that is naturally pro- In a span of 10 years the projduced in the biogas system. ect’s impact on 70 families By using the bio-fertilizer they will be 11.5M tons of animal are transitioning towards manure treated, 1.53 tons of organic farming, and can sig- CO2 emissions reduced, 1.27 nificantly reduce the usage of tons of wood saved and USD chemical pesticides & fertiliz- 210k of savings. ers in their farming activities.

Now that the local farmers have greater access to renewable energy sources, their ag-

Emily Corkill Marketing Manager Home Biogas

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A critical review of the

VFA/TA (FOS/TAC) method

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mong the many techniques used for field monitoring of biogas plants, none has created more “rural legends” than the VFA/TA test (a.k.a. FOS/ TAC in the German technical literature). Some biogas plant owners trust this simple analysis, despite of the fact that in practise, the canonical VFA/TA quotient rarely corresponds to optimal plant production. In this article, we will analyse the logical flaws of the VFA/TA method as well as a case study of a biogas plant where it was proven not only useless, but also detrimental.

breviation TA stands for Total Alkalinity, expressed in mg equivalent of calcium carbonate per litre. According to the proponents of this method, the anaerobic digestion process is stable if the VFA/TA ratio falls in the range of values between 0.23 and 0.3. When the ratio is less than 0.23, the plant begins to “feel hungry” and requires more feed ration to digest, whereas a value greater than 0.3 indicates the beginning of “indigestion.

Probably this ease of operation has popularized the VFA/ TA method but, at the same time, has opened the door to the risk of biological collapse of the anaerobic system. The reasons are two fold; the method is overly reductive because it only monitors a single parameter and, worst of all, it is based on a logical fallacy, as explained below.

The VFA/TA method makes it simple to measure both the VFA and the TA using a technique known as titration.

What the VFA/TA is?

When using an automatic titrator, the same procedure VFA is an abbreviation for takes only a few minutes and Volatile Fatty Acids, usually does not require expert perexpressed in milligrams of sonnel. acetic acid per litre. The ab-

It is a well established scientific principle that a conclusion can be true if it is founded on two true propositions. Nevertheless, even if both propositions are true, the conclusion can be false; in other words, it is a necessary but insufficient condition. On the other hand, a conclusion drawn from false

The logical flaws in the VFA/ TA method

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propositions can sometimes In extreme case, a subject be true, but only by chance. with both parameters out of range but with the same ratio The VFA/TA method is based may appear healthy, despite on the assumptions that one he/she would be at risk of anaerobic sludge represents both heart attack and diabethe concentration of VFA “as tes. if it were acetic acid” and another titration point rep- The logical flaws of the VFA/ resents total alkalinity as cal- TA method, and the plant cium carbonate equivalent. management routine deriving from it, are the following: If the alkalinity is high enough to keep the pH from drop- The VFAs are not only comping, i.e. if the VFA/TA ratio posed of just acetic acid. If is within given range, the the actual VFAs profile conprocess is stable. Such rea- tains too much propionic soning is overly simplistic and acid, a strong bacterial inhibbased on false hypothesis. To itor found in organic waste, a understand it better, consid- given value of VFAs measured er the following analogy with “as acetic acid equivalent” the clinical practice: imagine can have disastrous consea doctor trying to diagnose quences. As a result method’s the state of health of a per- first proposition is “generally son using only the relation- true”, but when it is not, the ship between cholesterol and plant owner will lose profits, despite measuring “good” glycosides.

VFA/TA values. The case study Everyone is aware that mon- in the following section will itoring both cholesterol and explain this in more detail. glycosides is a routine analysis, but they are just two in- Acetic acid is the precursor dicators of the state of health to only 70% of the methof a person. To diagnose a ane produced by anaerobic patient, a physician needs to digestion, by the acetoclascheck a long list of parame- tic archaea. The remaining ters like macroscopic aspects 30% is due to the activity of such as heartbeat, blood hydrogenotrophic archaea. pressure, temperature, infec- Optimising the plant for the tions status and so, are insuf- acetoclastic path will only upficient. Attempting to define set the equilibrium of the mithe state and stability of an crobial ecosystem. As a result: anaerobic plant based solely the total biogas production on the VFA/TA ratio is equiva- may increase, but its methlent to attempt to measure a ane composition, and overall person’s health solely on the conversion efficiency , will decrease. Remember that the cholesterol/glycoside ratio. acetic acid degradation pro-

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duces 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide: stoichiometry is unavoidable. Increasing the methane percentage in biogas necessitates increasing the hydrogenotrophic archaea, and the FOS/TAC method is ineffective in this regard.

Carbonates and bicarbonates are not the only alkalinity sources in anaerobic sludge.

A high ammonium concentration, for example will increase the alkalinity, lowering the VFA/TA ratio and giving the false impression of a “hungry” plant. However, ammonium can sometime be an inhibitor of anaerobic digestion, causing the manager to overfeed the digester to compensate.

Over feeding the plant may cause it to produce more ammonium, disrupting the process.

The titration method provides some information: an “order of magnitude” estimate of total VFA concentration and total alkalinity, which are variables that require separate analysis, i.e., within a context. It is useful to consider that defining the “state” of a system, is a common practice in process engineering where “state” refer to a set of variables that describe the system’s behaviour at a given time. In the case of single-stage anaerobic digestion (i.e., in a single digester) at least twenty parameters must be monitored to characterise a state and, thus to

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know the margin of stability and efficiency. In systems with multiple stages (two or more tanks), each reactor will have its own “optimum state “increasing the number , of relevant variables used to define and control the entire system proportionally.

the organic loading to maintain the VFA/TA ratio within the range of acceptable values (by performing the test twice a day!), the plant’s production was unstable and smaller than its nominal capacity.

Figure 1 depicts a situation, A case study of a plant where fortunately not widespread the VFA/TA was “ideal”, but but not uncommon , that nethe process was upset cessitates further consideration of another of the VFA/ It is possible (more often TA method limitations: its than not perceived, espe- absolute lack of selectivity. cially in plants fed solely on Please note that, the paramesilage, with no manure) that ter VFA is always expressed in maintaining the VFA/TA re- milligrams of equivalent acelationship within acceptable tic acid per litre. limits does not allow for stable digester operation of Acetic acid is an immediate the digester. The graphics precursor of methane and in Figure 1, which are taken carbon dioxide, two gases from a study case of an Italian that represent the final stage plant, whose identity will be of organic matter degradakept anonymous in order to tion, and a minimum conrespect the owner’s privacy, centration of acetic acid is reare sufficient. quired for the process to run smoothly. Once the anaerobic Figure 1. Although controlling bacteria have consumed all of

Figure 1

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the available acetic acid, they are unable to produce any more biogas.

On the other hand, if the acetic acid concentration is too high, the bacteria “suffer from indigestion” and stop producing methane. Propionic and butyric acids are always present in trace amounts, and some bacteria convert them to acetic acid; however, if latter are absent or inhibited for some reason, acid accumulation will inhibit methanogenesis. It is worth noting that propionic acid is a widely used preservative in the baking and other packaged foods industries, denoted on the package label as “preservative E280,” demonstrating the antibiotic power of said substance.

Summarising: The VFA/TA test detects the total volatile fatty acids “as if” they were acetic acid, but does not differentiate between the different

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types of volatile fatty acid kinds. Therefore, it is a good indicator of bacterial system health but only if it is already healthy! Figure 1 shows that, the VFA/TA ratio remained constant between days 18 and 23 (i.e., very close to the ideal value according to the scientific literature).

Nevertheless, the energy production is absolutely unstable, shifting from the maximum peak to the minimum value of the entire period under consideration. The reason for such anomalous behaviour is that at the time, butyric and propionic acid were the primary constituents of the VFA profile. The methanogenic phase of the digestion process was compromised for a series of reasons too many to discuss here, but it was correctly identified after some simple biological tests.

According to the VFA/TA ratio criteria, the plant could receive its nominal daily ration (about 50 tons/day of silage) only if the ratio was 0.25. In the caseunder consideration, feeding the plant with a reduced ration (about 12 tons/ day) was sufficient to increase the VFA/TA ratio during the following days, while the energy production continued to fluctuate without reaching a stable operation.

The problem in this study was a low methanogenic activity due to a lack of trace elements, so the plant was

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operating at reduced capacity, despite the VFA/TA ratio being in the range defined as “ideal” in the literature.

much information as possible about the state of the digestion process, but it is insufficient.

Conclusion

If the plant lacks an automatic titrator, purchasing a moisture analyser, a muffle oven and a biological kit is a more efficient investment. An instrument like the AMPT Light (https:// bpcistrments.com/bpc_products/automatic-methane-potential-test-system-light/) is the most practical option for carrying out routine biological tests. When using a fully automatic instrument with real-time normalisation and data logging, performing batch tests requires no special skills. Batch tests reveal more about the substrate and the microbial ecosystem than any other type of physicochemical test.

Managing a biogas plant means becoming a “bacteria farmer”. A healthy and balanced diet for an anaerobic digester works in the same way as livestock requires regular veterinary inspection and monitoring of the quality fodder. The practice of single-substrate digestion usually involves the frequent collapse of biological processes because the diet is seldom “balanced”. It is only with the installation of an on-site laboratory and training of the staff that the biogas plant manager will ensure the full efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process.

Monitoring several biological constants will help to prevent biological collapses in advance ensuring the investment’s profitability. However, the field laboratory, cannot be a single instrument. When available, the automatic titrator can assist in gathering as

White Halved

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Crossword Puzzle

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P

N

TOP DOWN 3. Maximal potential production of biogas by a substrate (m³ biogas/tons of VS). Also, a common test done to a feedstock to estimate the amount of biogas a certain feedstock or mix of feedstocks might produce.

Answers of Crossword 8.0

4. A group of Silicone based impurities frequently found in Biogas.

Although normally present in relatively small amounts, these can cause problems in the Biogas engine components by forming abrasive deposits.

6. A long-term purchase contract in which the Electricity Discoms agree to purchase a certain amount of electricity from an electricity producer (biogas plant/ solar plant/ biomass based power generation plant) at a contract price, for 10-20 years.

Please send your answer to info@biogas-india.com to win attractive prizes. Answers to be published in the next edition of magazine.

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

28

Legal condition of Biogas

Development in Iran

A

ccording to the Paris Agreement. Governments tend to promote renewable energies to benefit from the independence of natural gas imports and to fulfill their role in addressing global warming concerns.

In comparison with other renewable resources, biogas from anaerobic digestion (AD) could be more attractive as it could boost the sustainability of the society with a package of biogas-based solutions, including the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emis-

sions and waste management of the various municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors [1].

In Iran, the 4th national development plan initiated systematic planning for renewable and sustainable energy (RSE) production which could However, annual biogas pro- be considered the primary duction varies significantly driving force for the biogas between countries, ranging development. from 42 TWh in Germany to 0.6 TWh in Finland and Brazil The Ministry of Energy (the [2][3] . Different political sup- government agency responports and financial systems sible for regulating and imsuch as investment grants, plementing Iran’s energy tax exemptions, and tariffs policies) has established the are the primary causes of this Renewable Energy and Energy disparity and play a significant Efficiency Organization (SATrole in future development of BA) to exclusively encourages nations . private sectors investment in renewable energy sector [4].

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

Renewable energy policies

It is imperative to apply a model to analyse the polAccording to Iran’s fourth na- icies that influence biogas tional development plan, the solutions in various regions. total capacity for utilizing RSE Hence, the five-dimensional sources was approximate- model of Gustafsson and Anly 477 MW. The preliminary derberg [8] was utilised at this plan was to generate 1% of instance (Table 2). the country’s required energy from renewable energy According to this model, the sources [5]. following biogas policy dimensions have been outlined: Analysis of all other policies affecting biogas develop- 1) Type of policy instrument ment 2) Administrative area where Biogas involves many stake- policies are valid holders and different administrative sectors. Therefore, 3) Administrative level, from there is a need to apply for a local to global model to overview policies influencing biogas solutions in 4) Targeted segments of the various areas. biogas value chain

29

5) Change and continuity in time 1. As shown in Table 2 The vast majority of policies relate to the "production" segment of the biogas value chain, while there are no policies for the "distribution" and "use" segments. The failure to reach the capacity outlined in the Development Plans may be attributable to lack of appropriate policies for all elements of the biogas value chain (Table 1). Biogas can be a sustainable solution to a variety of problems across its entire value chain [8].

To reap all benefits, proportional policies for the entire value chain are required, in-

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

Table 2

Type of policy Policy definition *

A

B

Article 50 of the 6th Development Law Instruction for supporting the localization of renewable power plant technology

X

Clause 7-General policies in reforming the consumption pattern- Support of renewable generation

C

Administrative area D

E

X

X

X

X

X

X

Executive Regulations Paragraph B Article 25- Guaranteed PPA for 20 years

X

X

X

Support law of the electricity industry- 10% allocation of electricity bills for renewable energy

X

X

X

Law on maximum use of production capacity and services in meeting the needs of the country-The support for domestic technologies

X

X

X

Law on reforming the pattern of energy consumption

X

X

X

X

Regulations of the law on removing barriers to competitive production and improving the country’s financial system

X

X

X

X

Rules and regulations for the establishment of renewable power plants

X

Executive instruction on the export of non-governmental renewable and clean energy

X

Part 1 and Part 4, paragraph b, general policies of the system/ Support to the National Development Fund in the development of renewable energy Paragraph B-Article 133-Fifth Development Plan/ PPA contract with the priority of private sectors

Environmental Protection law

X

H

X

3

X

X

X X

X

X

X

X X

*E - Energy F - Environment G - Waste H - Agriculture

G

X

X

Facilitate for purchasing machinery, tools, and equipment for packing fodder, biogas, etc.

*A - Regulatory B - Economic C - Enforcing D - Encouraging

F

X

Waste management law Monitoring instructions for dry waste collection

30

*I - Global J - National K - Regional/ local L - Production

X X

Adm I

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

ministrative level J

K

Targeted area in the value chain L

M

N

Temporal change and continuity Shorttime

Long time

Introduced /discontinued, and can repeat

Change character over time

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

*M - Distribution N - Use

31

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

cluding the utilisation of digestate, as Gustafsson and Anderberg [8] have also discussed. To enter the market, the biofertilizer, for instance, must meet the standardisation requirements. If a fertiliser market is established in Iran, it could account for the majority of biogas projects' revenue [Table S1; per. comm. A] In addition, the Ministry of Energy is responsible for the vast majority of policies designed to achieve the overarching objective of expanding renewable power plant capacity.

[9] Lack of the requisite support role of the other involved sectors may prevent the supportive policies of one sector from having a significant impact on biogas development.

Although SATBA's policies encouraged biogas development, a too-narrow focus on electricity as the final product of biogas prevented the full potential from being realised.

Other organisations, including the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, and local municipalities, lack the necessary effective policies. In addition, there is no integrated path that involves all related energy, environmental, agricultural, waste, and economic sectors.

The required integration between the correspondence sectors is an additional significant obstacle on the path

to biogas development, particularly in non-industrialized nations [Table S1; per. comm.

C]. Since biogas inherently involves multiple administrative sectors, there is a risk that it will be perceived as "someone else's problem," resulting in government inaction [8].

32

opment. In addition, only the production segment of the biogas value chain has been targeted by supportive policies. Currently, the PPA and annually updated tariff are the primary drivers for biogas plant development. However, supportive policies regarding the other byproducts of the The last point of the five-di- process could make biogas mensional model could be plant projects economically derived from the "Adminis- viable and desirable. trative level." In general, the best biogas solution is one in 2. References which biogas production and use of by-products occur at [1] I. Govender, G. A. Thopil, same location, highlighting and R. Inglesi-Lotz, “Financial the significance of a local per- and Economic Appraisal of a spective and local actors [Ta- Biogas to Electricity Project,” ble S1; per. comm. D]. How- J. Clean. Prod., vol. 214, pp. ever, insufficient local policies 154–165, 2019. have negatively impacted the development of biogas in [2] R. Hakawati, B. Smyth, Iran.

G. McCullough, F. De Rosa, and D. Rooneya, “What is the Conclusion most energy efficient route for biogas utilization : Heat, This report depicts the cur- electricity or transport ? rent policy status of biogas What is the most energy e development in Iran. Al- ffi cient route for biogas utithough Iran's renewable en- lization : Heat , electricity or ergy sector is making impres- transport ?,” Appl. Energy, sive efforts to facilitate and 2017. standardise the development of RSE projects, biogas plants [3] J. A. Scott, W. Ho, account for only 1% of proj- and P. K. Dey, “A review of ects. multi-criteria decision-making methods for bioenergy A five-dimensional mod- systems,” Energy, vol. 42, no. el analysis of all policies af- 1, pp. 146–156, 2012. fecting biogas development revealed a lack of policy co- [4] “Renewable Energy herence in all related admin- and Energy Efficiency Orgaistrative sectors and adminis- nization (SATBA).” [Online]. trative levels, which may be Available: http://www.satba. one of the key factors that gov.ir/en/aboutsatba/visionhave impeded biogas devel- mission. [Accessed: 20-Jan-

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

2001].

[7] “Statistics and Information Network of Ministry [5] D. Fadai, Z. Shams, of Energy,” 2021. and A. Abbasi, “Analyzing the causes of non-development [8] M. Gustafsson and S. of renewable energy-related Anderberg, “Dimensions and industries in Iran,” Renew. characteristics of biogas poliSustain. Energy Rev., vol. 15, cies – Modelling the Europeno. 6, pp. 2690–2695, 2011. an policy landscape,” Renew.

Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 135, [6] A. Kordvani, M. Has- no. August 2020, pp. 1–11, san, L. Dalton, and P. Berenj- 2021. foroush, “Renewable Energy in Iran,” London, 2016.

[9] S. Huttunen, P. Kivimaa, and V. Virkamäki, “En-

vironmental Innovation and Societal Transitions The need for policy coherence to trigger a transition to biogas production,” Environ. Innov.

Soc. Transitions, vol. 12, pp.

14–30, 2014.

Supplementary Data Table S.1. Name and affiliation of professionals Row personal communication A personal communication B personal communication C personal communication D

Name Mahdi Rezaei Ahmad Abbaszadeh

Position Project Executive of Biomass Energy Technology Development Expert at Deputy of Planning and Budget in TPPH

Organization

Type of communication

Niroo Research InstiDiscussions via tute-Ministry of Energy LinkedIn Thermal Power Plants of Iran- Ministry of Energy

Interview

Roozbeh Feiz

Assistant professor Linkoping University

Interview

Linda Hagman

PhD student

Discussions via LinkedIn

Linkoping University

Zahra Fatollahi

33

Biogas Magazine | Edition 20 |

34

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