Biogas And Biomass Energy: Utilizing The Power From Biogas And Biomass

Power Generation Through Biogas And Biomass Energy:

The need for uninterrupted power supply is crucial as constant power supply is one of the basic necessities. Renewable energy plays a pivotal roles in this aspect of constant power usage as it  produces clean, healthy environment, and affordable energy by harnessing the abundant sunlight provided by nature; biogas and biomass energy is capable of handling this uninterruptible power issues and helps to solve the world’s most pressing energy needs and demands, also alleviating the environmental pollutions caused by fossil fuel sources of power generation.

These two related means of renewable energy generation uses organic materials to generate electricity, providing a free, cleaner, and healthy lifestyle as alternative energy. This write up gives us the insights about biogas and biomass including the applications, benefits, and its impact in rescuing the environment which we are surrounded by.

What Is Biogas Energy?

Biogas is one of the renewable sources which is produced from the anaerobic digestion of the organic materials which includes animal dung, wastes, and agricultural residues. The processes involved in biogas are typically biological processes, here microorganisms minus the oxygen undergo a process which causes the breakdown of organic matter. In the cause of this breakdown, methane and carbon dioxide which are the primary components of biogas are produced.

This adoption not only produces power but also helps to reduce pollutants in our environment.

How Is Biogas Produced?

Biogas undergo a process known as “anaerobic digestion”.

This process involves the breakdown of organic matters including the animal dung, agricultural wastes, food waste, sewage. e.t.c.

Through microorganisms minus oxygen.

Steps Involved In Biogas Production

• Feedstock Collection: Here, organic matters such as agricultural wastes are taken  and inserted into the anaerobic digester sealed provided.

• Anaerobic Digestion: This stage, Microorganisms also known as anaerobic bacteria depletes the organic matter in the absence of oxygen, as a result of this, biogas is produced as a byproduct. Examples of these byproducts produced are Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4).e.t.c.

• Biogas Collection: Here, the biogas Produced is extracted from the digester, and stored or used directly to generate energy

10 Uses Of Biogas

Biogas as a renewable energy source are useful across all sectors. Constant power supply is very important to everyone. The following are the most basic use of biogas energy:

• Electricity: Biogas provides constant power supply to home usage, industries, businesses and preliminary production etc.

• Cooking Fuel: The nature of biogas as a renewable energy source provided it to be used for cooking, replacing other cooking methods such as coal and wood.

• Vehicle Fuel: Biogas are mostly used in our vehicle such as car, bus, etc

• Heating: Biogas can be applied in heating purposes such as in industries, agricultural firms, and homes, which is environmentally friendly.

• Fertilizer Production: These byproducts produced are rich in nutrients which can be used for organic fertilizers.

• Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Biogas helps to alleviate greenhouse gas problems through the use of methane emissions.

• Waste Management: Biogas Production hastens the decomposition of organic wastes.

• Community Development: Through Biogas sustainable development solution, promotion and employment opportunities are assured.

• Poultry And Livestock Farming: In farming, to manage organic waste, Biogas systems have been adopted.

• Water Heating: For water heating, biogas has been adopted.

What Is The Difference Between Biomass And Biogas Energy

These two are both renewable energy sources, but are different as follows:

1. Form:

i. Biogas: This involves a gas mixture from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter.

ii. Biomass: It involves the organic materials such as animal dung, crop waste which are used for energy production.

2. Production Process

i. Biogas: the method of production is through anaerobic digestion . Here, microorganisms depletes organic matter in the absence of oxygen, forming byproducts called biogas.

ii. Biomass: involves direct burning of organic matters into solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels.

3. Composition:

i. Biogas: Most of the biogas byproducts such as carbon dioxide and Methane (50-70%) with trace amounts of other gases available.

ii. Biomass: this has different forms such as solid (e.g pellet s, crop wastes, wood), liquid (e.g biofuel), or gas (producer gas from wood

 gasification).

4. Energy Output:

i. Biogas: Biogas is usually used for electricity, and heat generation, which can as well be processed into biomethane used in vehicle fuels for transportation.

ii. Biomass: biomass with the help of combustion, releases heat either directly or converting it into electricity or any other state.

5. Feedback:

i. Biogas: This is gotten from organic waste materials such as sewage sludge, agricultural wastes, and animal dung.

6 Environmental Impact:

i. Biogas: Biogas is regarded as the cleaner energy option, since the methane generated is obtained and utilized, mitigating its release into the atmosphere where it would cause greenhouse gas emissions to it.

ii. Biomass: Here, while burning biomass, it can release carbon dioxide, but if it is handled properly, it’s regarded as carbon-neutral.

What Is The Difference Between Biogas And Biofuel?

Biogas production is through anaerobic digestion of organic matter which generates cleaner energy, while biofuels are obtained from the sources of biomass, such as algae and plants. Examples of biogas are Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4), that of biofuels are ethanol (liquid or or gaseous fuels. The processes involved in production such as feedstocks, and end-use adoption differ from biogas to biofuels.

Biogas And Biomass Energy Examples

The following are the the examples of biogas and biomass energy:

• Biogas:

 i. Anaerobic Digesters: Examples of organic materials that are depleted to produce biogas are as follows: food scraps, agricultural wastes and animal dung.

ii. Wastewater Treatment Plants: Here, the matter in sewage is broken down by bacteria, as a result of this process, byproducts Known as biogas are produced.

iii. Landfill Gas: As a result of decomposition of organic waste in landfills can be obtained and used as biogas.

• Biomass:

i. Biological Waste: examples of this biological waste are the organic waste materials such as food scraps, forestry residues, e.t.c. Here, these organic wastes are converted into biomass energy through anaerobic digestion.

ii. Wood: This involves burning of wood for electricity production.

iii. Energy Crops: examples are energy crops such as miscanthus, and switchgrass.

iv. Crop Residues: Examples are agricultural residues such as rice husks, sugarcane bagasse, and corn stover for energy production.

Conclusion:

Biogas and biomass energy is an alternative for sustainability which uses organic materials to generate power. This source of power generation offers a clean, and green environment as they are pollution free. So therefore, biogas and biomass energy has the potential to replace fossil fuels.