Biogas Technology in Southeast Asia / Green Energy and Technology (PDF)

Producing biogas through biodigestion is non-polluting as there is no combustion or energy addition especially in the warmer climes of Southeast Asia. In this region, poorly managed landfills allow toxic liquids to drain into underground water sources. If instead,these wastes were used in a biogas plant, water pollution would be reduced. The same argument could be made for the local air quality. Therefore, biogas generation, in addition to producing renewable energy, also improves local water and air quality. The solid end-waste product of the biogas generation process is enriched natural organic matter (digestate), which can be substituted for chemical fertilizers, providing another environmental benefit to biogas.

This book is primarily concerned with the production of biogas. From the raw material pre-treatment to the reactor design and operation to the post-treatment system, this book covers all aspects of production. There are many types of biogas reactors, each with their own advantages. Which reactor to select depends on the type and quantity of raw material, land area available and climate, among other factors. This book provides information on selecting and operating a suitable biogas system for interested parties be they governmental, NGO's, private companies or individuals.

Biogas contains primarily methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). It may also contain small quantities of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), moisture and siloxanes. Extracting the methane from all other gases is called biogas upgrading and the output is then referred to as biomethane. These upgrading processes are not the subject of this book as they are already the subject of a previously published book.