Biogas

Biogas is popularly known as a “Renewable source of energy”. It is manufactured from organic waste material such as food waste, manure, agricultural waste, plant waste etc. Bacteria decompose such organic wastes under anaerobic environmental conditions and biogas is produced. This process helps to recycle the waste materials without producing any toxic pollutants. This is an eco-friendly process. In this article, we will learn about biogas and how is biogas produced along with the uses, advantages, and limitations of biogas.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is an odourless, colourless gaseous substance. It is a renewable source of energy. Biogas is manufactured when bacteria decompose various organic substances such as food waste, plant waste, manure, sewage, agricultural waste, and municipal waste under anaerobic environmental conditions. This biogas production process is also known as “anaerobic digestion”.

The biogas and its composition are methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. Besides these, nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide and oxygen are also present in biogas. As methane is the major component of biogas, the gas is highly flammable. Biogas production helps us to recycle organic waste without polluting the environment. Because this process does not produce any toxic pollutants. The harmful methane gas is also converted into less toxic carbon dioxide gas. So, in one word, biogas production is eco-friendly. It is also useful as a renewable fuel in transport.

What is Biogas Plant?

It is an anaerobic digester or a system where biogas production occurs. This system provides the anaerobic environment that is necessary for the production of biogas. This plant consists of five major components. These are:

• Inlet: Slurry (the watery mixture of the organic waste materials) is inserted into the system through this inlet pathway.
• Fermentation Chamber: In this chamber, the organic waste material is broken down by the activity of bacteria and biogas is produced.
• Storage: This is the part in the biogas plant where produced biogas is stored.
• The Outlet: This part is used to remove the used slurry.
• Exit Pipe: The produced biogas in storage is removed from the biogas plant through this exit pipe.

How is Biogas Produced?

Biogas is produced from organic wastes such as plant waste, food waste, agricultural waste, sewage, municipal waste etc. At first, the organic materials are converted into a liquid form known as “slurry”. Now, the slurry is mixed with water and processed into the biogas plant to produce the biogas. The organic wastes are broken down in the biogas plant through several steps. The steps for breaking down organic waste are mentioned as follows:

• Hydrolysis: At first, the polymers (such as complex carbohydrates, protein or lipids) in the organic waste are broken down into simpler forms. So that it can be consumed by the acidogenic bacteria to proceed further.
• Acidification: In this step, the acidogenic bacteria convert amino acids and sugar into ammonia, hydrogen, carbon-di-oxide and organic acids.
• Acetic Acid Formation: The organic acids that were produced in the second step are now converted into acetic acid, ammonia, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
• Methane Formation: In the last stage, the products of the third stage are converted into methane and carbon dioxide by the action of methanogen.

What is Biogas Used For?

Biogas is a very eco-friendly and renewable source of energy. It is useful in various aspects of our everyday life.

• Pollution-Free: The production of biogas helps us to recycle organic waste materials without producing toxic pollutants.
• Renewable Fuel: Biogas is a renewable source of energy which can be used as a petrol engine and diesel engine fuel for transport.
• Cooking Purpose: Biogas can be used for cooking in rural areas and for pumping water.
• Heating Purpose: Biogas can be used in various machines that are used for water heating and room heating.
• Electricity: Electricity can be generated from biogas.
• Street Lamps: Biogas can be used to lighten the street lamps.
• Fertiliser: Biogas manufacturer produces a solid product which is known as manure. Manure is used as fertiliser.

Biogas For Different Class Levels

Given below is a brief table showing Biogas as studied in different classes:

Class Level	Definition	Explanation
what is Biogas Class 5	Biogas is a type of fuel made from organic waste.	Biogas is produced by decomposing organic materials like animal waste or plant matter in an oxygen-free environment, which can then be used as a clean energy source for cooking.
what is Biogas Class 7	Biogas is a renewable energy source produced from biomass.	Biomass, such as animal dung or agricultural waste, undergoes anaerobic digestion by bacteria, releasing methane gas, which can be collected and used for cooking or heating.
what is Biogas Class 10	Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide gases.	Methane, the primary component of biogas, is produced through anaerobic digestion of organic matter, providing a sustainable energy alternative while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
what is Biogas Class 12	Biogas is a sustainable energy source derived from organic matter.	Organic materials like animal manure or crop residues undergo anaerobic fermentation, yielding biogas that can be used for cooking, heating, or generating electricity.

Advantages of Producing Biogas

Production of biogas is very advantageous for us. It can be useful in various ways:

• Biogas is cost-effective, safe and a renewable source of energy.
• Biogas does not cause any environmental pollution and is very eco-friendly.
• The production, storage and transport of biogas is easy.
• Sanitation around the biogas plant is also well maintained as it does not produce any toxic substances.

Limitations of Biogas

Despite having many advantages, certain drawbacks can be seen during the use of biogas:

• Biogas can be explosive when it is mixed inappropriately with the air.
• The use of biogas is not appropriate on a large scale.
• Sometimes it contains impurities.

Conclusion – What is Biogas?

Biogas, which is popular as a renewable source of energy, is produced from organic waste materials such as animal waste, plant waste, sewage, agricultural waste etc. Biogas is eco-friendly and a cheap source of energy. It can be used to produce electricity, fertiliser etc. Thus, it is very beneficial in our everyday life.

FAQs on What is Biogas?

Write Five Uses of Biogas.

Biogas is very essential in our day-to-day life. It can be used to generate electricity and fertiliser and in rural areas it is used in cooking, lighting street lamps and in transport.

Where do the Organic Wastes Decompose in the Biogas Plant?

Biogas plants contain various parts to produce and store the biogas properly. In the fermentation chamber, the organic wastes are broken down by microbes and biogas is produced.

Name the Four stages of Biogas Formation.

In a biogas plant, biogas is produced in a sequential method. The four stages of biogas formation are Hydrolysis, acidification, acetic acid formation and methane formation.

Write the Disadvantages of Using Biogas.

Biogas exhibit certain drawbacks. It cannot be used on a large scale and sometimes it can be hazardous.

How is Biogas Produced?

Biogas is a renewable source of energy. It is produced when organic waste such as plant waste, animal waste etc are decomposed by bacteria in the absence of oxygen.

What is the Difference Between Biogas and Biomethane?

Biogas is a raw mixture of gases produced from organic matter digestion, while biomethane undergoes purification to increase its methane content for use as a renewable natural gas or vehicle fuel.

What is the Role of Anaerobic Digestion in Biogas Production?

Anaerobic digestion breaks down organic matter without oxygen producing biogas, which can be captured and used for heating, electricity, or fuel, while also reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Where is Biogas Used?

Biogas is used in various applications, including household cooking, heating, electricity generation, and as a vehicle fuel. It is also utilized in industries such as agriculture, wastewater treatment, and landfill management for sustainable energy production and environmental managemen