Title: Portable biogas bottling plant: a practical approach for using biogas as transportation fuel in rural areas

Authors: Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Mritunjaya Kumar Shukla

Addresses: Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, India. ' Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, India

Abstract: Biogas contains about 65% methane, 30-35% carbon dioxide, traces of hydrogen sulphide and moisture. It has been observed that diesel engines get severely damaged when operated on biogas for long duration. Presence of these corrosive gases make biogas unsuitable for transportation application. By removing CO₂ and trace acidic gases like H₂S and moisture, biogas can be converted into natural gas (which is mainly methane). Natural gas is a more environment friendly and its usage leads to lower engine wear. CO₂ and H₂S can be removed successfully from biogas using suitable scrubber techniques. Remaining methane gas (natural gas) can be compressed to high pressures of the order of 240 bar using multistage compression and CNG cylinders can be filled. This bottled gas can be used to operate automobiles by suitable modifications in the induction system of the engines. This fuel gas derived from biogas is a good engine fuel. [Received: February 21, 2009; Accepted: June 11, 2009]

Keywords: biogas; methane; natural gas; scrubbing; carbon dioxide removal; CO2 removal; sulphur dioxide removal; SO2 removal; portable biogas bottling plants; transport fuels; rural areas; hydrogen sulphide removal; H2S removal; automotive fuel; engine fuels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2009.030681

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2009 Vol.2 No.4, pp.379 - 388

Published online: 30 Dec 2009 *

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