Biogas is produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic materials and can replace fossil fuels for heating and transportation. A biogas plant has a digester and a gas holder, and the gas is produced by decomposing waste. Biogas is a low-cost renewable energy source that uses waste materials and is preferred over fossil fuels for environmental and economic reasons. However, critics argue that it may cause food shortages and environmental damage.
Biogas production is the creation of biofuel using the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials. Anaerobic decomposition of organic materials occurs when the biodegradable matter of a living or once living organism decays with the help of microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment. Biogas is often celebrated by environmentalists for its relatively low carbon output. It can serve as a replacement for fossil fuels as an energy source for heating and vehicle transportation. Biogas production typically takes place in a large- or small-scale biogas plant, depending on the materials available.
A biogas plant has two main components, a digester and a gas holder. The digester is an airtight container in which organic waste is discharged and decomposed, and the gas container is a tank that traps the gases emitted by the sewage. The bacteria inside the digester tank break down the waste, and as it decomposes, gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen and nitrogen are released.
Through a pressurized system, the gas carrier conducts the flow of these gases upwards into a hole in the drum of the carrier. The hole is specially designed to allow gases to pass freely into the holder while preventing gases from escaping back into the digester. When the gas is ready to be used, the gases are brought into contact with oxygen in a controlled environment to create a combustion reaction. This combustion produces an energy source for processes such as heating and propelling vehicles.
Biogas production can take place in different types of plants, depending on the amount of gas needed, the amount of waste on hand and whether the digester is designed for batch or continuous feed. Batch feed systems primarily decompose solid waste which is added to the tank in installments, while continuous feed designs primarily feed liquids to the digester. Biogas production can be achieved in above ground or underground plants, although both models have advantages and disadvantages. An above ground biogas plant is easier to maintain and can benefit from solar heating, but requires more care in construction. An underground biogas plant is cheaper to build and easier to fuel, but more difficult to maintain.
Biogas production is often preferred over fossil energy sources, such as oil or coal, for environmental and economic reasons. The increasing concentration of carbon, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere has become a central issue in the global warming problem. Although both biogas and fossil fuels emit carbon, fossil fuels release carbon that has been buried for many years in ancient biomass and effectively removed from the carbon cycle. The carbon released during biogas production and use has only recently been stored in the form of organic matter and is still part of the cycle. Therefore, it does not cause as much disruption in the carbon concentration in the atmosphere.
Proponents of biogas production also prefer biogas to fossil fuels because it is a low-cost renewable energy source and uses otherwise waste materials. Biogas production can also take place on small-scale sites, making it a viable option for developing country regions. Biogas critics argue that food crops grown for the purpose of biogas production will create a global food shortage. Biofuels can also cause deforestation, water pollution, soil erosion and a negative impact on oil-producing nations.
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