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Techno-economic Assessment of Biogas Production from Press Mud in Bangladesh

M. A. Rouf
Institute of Fuel Research and Development, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

M. S. Islam
Institute of Fuel Research and Development, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

P. K. Bajpai
Thapar Centre for Industrial Research & Development, Patiala, India

C. K. Jotshic
Advanched Technologies Testing Lab. Inc 4445SW35 terrace, Suite 270 Gainesville, Florida-32608, USA

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

To assess the potential of biogas generation, as a new and renewable source of energy, physico-chemical parameters of press mud have been determined. It has considerable amount of volatile matter (75-80%) and C/N ratio (13-15) is slightly lower than the normal requirement for biomethanation. The total gas yield was 0.18 L/g and it contained about 65% methane. Biogas generation was studied in a 150 cft plant in the field at solid concentrations of 6 to 8%. Acclimatization of the reactor has been done by initial start-up by cow dung and gradual mixing with press mud in order to generate biogas from press mud alone. The profitability of the considered plant has been assessed using the discounting and dynamic Net Present Value methods. The biogas and biofertilizer production from press mud was found to be economically feasible.

Keywords: Press mud; Biomethanation; Acclimatization; Profitability

Location: Sugar mill in Natore, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

Firstly, physico-chemical characterization of several press mud samples is given as press mud is a potential source of biogas production. The second part of the paper focuses on laboratory batch experiment for biogas production and a field study of a biogas plant in semi continuous process for economic assessment is then presented.

Methodology:

Collection of press mud samples: The press mud samples were collected from seven different sugar mills in Punjab, India and one sugar mill in Natore, Bangladesh. The samples were stored in a cold room, maintained at 4^oC, before analysis and other experiments in the laboratory. Characterization of sample: Carbon and nitrogen contents in the press mud were determined with the help of a C-H-N elemental analyzer. Its moisture and ash contents were estimated by gravimetric methods by drying at 105^oC and by complete combustion at 800^oC respectively. Volatile matter and calorific value were determined according to IS: 10158-1982 and IS: 1350 (Part 4)- 197 by bomb calorimeter respectively. For estimation of fiber content, about 20 gm of press mud was weighed accurately and washed over a tared 200 mesh sieve until the water run clear. Excess water is drained off and the sieve along with its contents was dried in an oven at 105^oC to a constant weight. Fiber content is calculated from the increase in weight of the tared sieve (Mathur, 1997). Chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the sample was estimated by oxidizing the substrate with potassium dichromate and then titrating by ferrous ammonium sulphate (APHA, 1992). Silica was determined according to the procedure of Vogel, 1969. The wax content was measured by extracting with benzene in a Soxhlet apparatus and then distilling it to remove the benzene and quantitatively recovering the wax. Sugar content in the press mud sample was determined by measuring the optical rotation of the filtrate solution of 25 gm press mud in 200 mL water using polarimeter. Sodium, potassium and calcium contents were determined by flame photometer according to IS: 10614-1983. Phosphate content was determined according to IS: 6361-1971. The protein content was estimated from the nitrogen content by multiplying it with 6.25. For the determination of sulphate in the press mud, the sample was heated with hydrochloric acid. The clear solution was used for the precipitation of barium sulphate by the addition of dilute barium chloride solution.Sulphate content was estimated by gravimetric method. The sample was fused with sodium carbonate to oxidise the sulphite, present in the sample, to sulphate then fused sample was dissolved in acidic water and the clear solution was used to precipitate the original sulphate plus sulphite (converted into sulphate) in the form of barium sulphate. Deducting the earlier value of sulphate from this new value of sulphate gave the sulphite content (Vogel, 1969). Anaerobic Biomethanation in laboratory The collected press mud sample from Natore, Bangladesh was diluted to about 10% in a 2 liter capacity wide mouth glass bottle. Volume of the substrate in the bottle was one liter. It was inoculated with the sludge collected from an anaerobic plant based on cow dung and pre-acclimatized with press mud for 10 days. The bottle was kept in a room, maintained at about 30^oC. The total gas production was measured by using water displacement method at an interval of 24 hours. Contents of the bottle were mixed manually, after every gas measurement. Daily gas production was recorded.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 48(1), 51-58, 2013

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present methods for disposal of press mud from sugar industry are not environmentally sound. Its disposal is a problem and creates environmental nuisance. But generation of biogas from the substrate will reduce environmental problem. It has been found from the characterization of press mud that, both in India and Bangladesh, the organic matter content is high, so they are suitable for biogas production. The sugar industry will be financially benefited by installing biogas generators, as the economic analysis reveals that the production of biogas and biofertilizer from press mud is economically feasible. Furthermore, there is triple benefit associated with the waste bio-methanation as we get clean fuel biogas, enriched manure biofertilizer and also hygienic environment.

Knowledge Management: Journal