From Innovation to

Commercialization of Biogas
Upgradation in India

Dr. Rimika Kapoor

Post Doctoral Fellow
Centre for Rural Development & Technology
IIT Delhi
rimika@rdat.iitd.ernet.in
rimikakapoor@gmail.com
Biogas Technology
– Energy source produced from biodegradable /organic wastes by
anaerobic digestion process
– Biogas utilizes energy sources in ways that do not deplete the
earth’s natural resources and are as environmentally benign as
possible.
– Biogas belongs to the same gas family as natural gas
– Nutrient rich slurry as manure
– Biogas contributes in mitigating climate change by reducing
greenhouse gases emission and sequestrating carbon
– Carbon-negative technology
BIOGAS
Composition of Raw Biogas

Compound Chem %

Methane CH4 55–65

Carbon dioxide CO2 35–45
Nitrogen N2 0–10
Hydrogen H2 0–1
Hydrogen Sulfide H2S 0–3
Moisture Saturated

Average calorific value of biogas is 20 MJ/m3 (4713 kcal/m3)

 Biogas in INDIA

• An estimate indicates that India has a potential of generating 6.38 X

1010 m3 of biogas from 980 million tones of cattle dung produced
annually from 300 million cattle population.

• The heat value of this gas amounts to 1.3 X 1012 MJ. In addition, 350
million tones of manure would also be produced along with biogas.

• Apart from the 4.9 million domestic biogas plants installed in

India against the potential of 12 million, there is a huge potential
of installation of medium and large scale biogas plants installation in
India in small scale industries, animal rearing farms, poultry farms,
distilleries, tanneries, hotels, restaurants, military barracks etc.

• The total biogas generation potential from organic feedstock in India

is approximately 48,383 million m3 / year
 Raw Biogas
• A low Grade fuel (CH4 55-65 % • A high grade fuel (CH4 > 90 %
& CO2 35-45 %) with lower
percentage of methane.
• Mode of utilisation
– The presence of CO2 besides
being non combustible,
restrains its compressibility
there by making biogas
difficult to be stored in
containers.
Upgraded Biogas
and < 10 % other gases) with high
percentage of methane.
• Mode of utilisation
– Remote applications
– Methane burns faster hence
yields a higher specific output
and thermal efficiency
compared to raw biogas when
used as engine fuel.
– Upgrading , compression and
bottling facilitates easy
storage and transportation as
a vehicle fuel
Utilization of Upgraded Biogas

Upgraded and bottled biogas for use as Cascades of Upgraded biogas being Biogas Motorcycle in Thailand
a cooking fuel transported

Biogas car in Sweden Biogas Train in Sweden Biogas Car in India

 Standards for Upgraded Biogas in India

The first ‘Indian Standard IS 16087: 2013 entitled Biogas (Biomethane) –

Specifications’ has been released by BIS. This standard covers biogas
(biomethane) applications in stationary engines, automotive and
thermal applications and supply through piped network. It will help
in increasing confidence of investors, infusing more finances and expanding
business in biogas sector manifold. Upgraded biogas delivered to any vehicle,
stationary engine or piped network shall comply to the following standards.

No. Biogas Component Percentage

Methane (CH4), min 90
1

2 CO2 + N2 + O2, percent, max(v/v) 10

Total Sulphur (including H2S), mg/m3, max 20

3
Only CO2, percent, max (v/v) 4
4
Moisture, mg/m3, max 5
5
 State of the Art

Water Scrubbing based BioCH4 and

BioCO2 Production Technology
Developed at IIT Delhi
Water Scrubbing based BioCH4 and BioCO2 Production System at IIT Delhi
WS1 WS1 (BioCH4 WS2 (BioCO2
Production) Production)
95% BioCH4 99.9% BioCO2
Capacity : Gas Flow Rate 10Nm3/h 5 Nm3/h
WS2 Packed Bed H : 3000 mm H : 2000 mm
D : 150 mm D : 150 mm
Water Flow Rate 2 m3/h 1.8 m3/h
Pressure 10 bar 5 bar
Mobile Biogas Upgradation System developed at IIT Delhi
 Bio – Slurry
Golden Resource for Soil health
 Benefits of Biogas Digested Slurry
Biogas digested slurry produced through anaerobic digestion is a
nutrient-rich material generally directly applied after production
on agricultural land as a fertiliser, thereby replacing manmade
artificial fertilisers and/or soil conditioners.
It facilitates:
– Enhanced soil quality
– Increased crop yields
 Utilisable Forms of Biogas Digested Slurry

• Whole digested
• Liquid (liquor) form
• Dried form
• Composted digested slurry
Some Biogas Entrepreneurial
Examples in India
 Biogas based Power Projects in India
Sant Shree Asa Ram Ji Gaushala Trust, Village – Khanpur, Jassar Road, Tehsil & District
– Ludhiana, Punjab, 300 Cum per day, 50 KVA/40kW
The Lambra Kangri Multipurpose Coorporative Services Society Ltd., Hoshiyarpur,
100 Cum per day
8.25 Mw Biogas Based Power Project In A Distillery at
Banur, Dist. Patiala, Punjab
Paddy Straw Biogas based 1.0 MW Power Plant at Fazilka, Punjab

Paddy straw: 10 tonnes/day

Biogas production: 3500 m3/day
Specific biogas: 0.350 m3/kg
Generator operation: 8 h/day
Commercial Level Biogas Upgrading and Bottling Plants in India

15 BGFP projects with aggregate capacity of 11,200 cu m per day have been
sanctioned in 8 States, namely Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Chhattisgarh,
Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Bihar by the MNRE for implementation.
Rajasthan Go Seva Sangh Plant, Jaipur (1st pilot Model )
MGVAS Bhilwara Plant (2nd pilot Plant)
 Community Level Biogas Plant for Piped
Distribution of Raw Biogas Near Valsad ( Gujarat)
 Commercial Level Biogas Upgrading and
Bottling Plants in India

15 BGFP projects with aggregate capacity of 11,200 cu m

per day have been sanctioned in 8 States, namely Gujarat,
Karnataka, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharastra,
Rajasthan and Bihar by the MNRE for implementation.
Biogas Upgrading and Bottling Plant at Abhohar, Mukatsar,
Punjab 1st Technology demonstration plant BGFP project
Biogas upgradation and bottling plant at Nasik, Maharashtra
 High Pressure Compressor
Water Scrubbing and PSA Cylinder Cascade for
at Nasik plant
system at Nasik bottled biogas
Biogas Upgrading and Bottling Plant at Tohana, Haryana
Possible Scenarios for the Adoption of Upgraded Biogas
in India

Entrepreneurship models for biogas

Bottled biogas can be utilised in two different scenarios:

1) Captive/in-house use

2) Selling of bottled biogas as a fuel either for cooking or for

vehicles
Integrated Technology Packages for Commercialization and
Entrepreneurship

Cooking

Biogas-Fertilizer Plants (BGFP) for Production, BioCH4, & BioCO2 production and
Bio- fertilizer production
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is promoting
setting up of biogas plants under three Central Sector
Schemes

i. National Biogas and Manure Management Programme

(1M3 to 6M3 per day).
ii. Biogas Power Generation(off ‐ grid) Programme:
• Setting up of biogas plants in the size range of 25m3 to 2000
m3 per day for 3kW to 250 kW power generation or thermal
applications.
iii. Waste to Energy recovery programme:
• Setting up of large size biogas plants to recover energy from
Urban, Industrial and agriculture wastes/residues.
 Financial Incentives Available Under the Biogas Programme

The Government gives:-

(i) Central subsidy;

(ii) Turn-key job fee linked with five years’ free maintenance
warranty;
(iii) Financial Support upto 50% of the applicable CFA, subject
to sharing of 50% of the cost of repair by the beneficiary
concerned for repair of old non-functional plants of more
than 5 years;
(iv) Training of users, masons and entrepreneurs;
(v) Administrative charges to State Government Departments
and agencies implementing the programme;
(vi) Regional level Biogas Development and Training Centres;
(vii) Publicity, Communication/ Extension
 Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation
Programme: Central Financial Assistance
Power generating Biogas plant CFA/subsidy limited to the
capacity capacity following ceiling or 40% of the
cost of the system whichever
is less.

3 -20 kW 25 cu. m to 85 cu.m Rs.40,000 per kW

>20 kW to 100 kW Any combination of Rs.35,000 per kW

above plants or
alternate capacity
/design
>100 kW to 250 kW Any combination of Rs.30,000 per kW
above plants or
alternate capacity /
design
 Cost Economics of Technology Packages for Commercialization and
Entrepreneurship

• Gaushalas, Sewage Treatment Plants, Fruit and Vegetable Markets,

Agricultural Residue Based Plants

• Economic viability of Biogas-Fertilizer Plants (BGFP) for Production,

BioCH4 and Bio- fertilizer production( Payback period 4 – 5 years)
– 200 m3/day (approximate cost : Rs7.5 million)
– 500m3/day (approximate cost : Rs 12.5 million)
– 1000m3/day (approximate cost : Rs 20 million)
• Economic viability of Biogas-Fertilizer Plants (BGFP) for Production,
BioCH4, & BioCO2 production, Bottling, Bio- fertilizer production(Payback
period 4 – 5 years)
– 2500 m3/day (approximate cost : Rs 45 million)
– 5000 m3/day (approximate cost : Rs 70 million)
Widespread Implementation of Technology

Promotional Support and Resource Development

Validation & Testing

Need of the hour for the Promotion of Biogas Bottling
Technology
• Subsidies on Biogas Fertilizer Plants (BGFPs)
• “National Biogas Mission” linked with “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”,
• Establishment of Centre of Excellence in Biogas Energy at IIT Delhi for
research, development and innovation, dissemination of technologies, and
transfer of knowledge and awareness among people.
• Strengthening of Biogas Development and Training Centres
(BDTCs) with sufficient budget and new mandates
• Safety Issues and RD& D for Cylinders for BioCH4 and BioCO2
Storage
• Standardization of Plants, Equipment's and Accessories for
different scales – Digesters, Power Plants, Cooking Burners, Upgradation Systems,
Bottling Units, etc.
• Pilot scale introduction of Cash Transfer of Central Subsidy in
beneficiary's bank accounts in selected districts.
• Standards for biogas slurry through Fertilizer Control Order
• Incentives for bio-slurry similar to chemical fertilizer
 Validation and Testing of Biogas Systems

• IIT Delhi is engaged in research and development of biogas related

technologies and its applications.
• BDTC, IIT Delhi provides technical support for National Biogas Manure
Management Program (NBMMP)
• Expertise in IIT Delhi in coordination with MNRE, Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy synchronize R&D and consultancy work on biogas
technology
• Training courses for developing entrepreneurs and for staff of the state nodal
departments and implementing agencies etc.
• Field testing/adaptive trials & demonstration on new models of biogas system
and diversified uses biogas plants effluents.
• Consultancy services to manufactures, NGOs, implementing agencies etc. for
developing of new systems.
THANK YOU