MODULE NO - 5

Unit- 9 Biomass Power Plant

Unit -10 Hydrogen energy

Prepared by : Dr. Abhishek M R

Associate Professor
Mechanical Department
KSSEM , Bengaluru
Unit -9 biomass Power plant
• All organic matter is known as biomass and energy released from biomass when it is eaten, burnt or
converted in to fuels is called biomass energy.

• Biomass provides clean, renewable energy source that could be improve our environment, economy and
energy security. Biomass energy generates far air emission than fossil fuels

• Biomass is organic matter produce by plant and their derivatives . It is considered as renewable sources of
energy . It is also considered as an indirect form of solar energy.

• Bio mass produced in nature through photo synthesis

• Solar energy Photosynthesis Biomass Energy generation

 Biomass is obtained from any plant, human or animal derived organic
matter

 Wood from trees , agricultural crops, wood factory waste and construction
industry

 Burnt wood from forest fires

 Animal droppings

There are three sources for biomass energy conversion:

1. Traditional sources as a solid mass ( wood and agricultural waste)

2. Non traditional sources( biomass converted into liquid fuels by pyrolysis

and thermo chemical treatments)

3. Animal wastages and aquatic plants ( fermented an aerobically to obtain

biogas)
Photosynthesis
 Photosynthesis has two Greek words Photo- light and synthesis-

combination of components or elements.

 Photosynthesis process only occurs in the green plants. It is the process

of combining the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with water plus

light energy to carbohydrates produce ( sugar starches cellulose etc) and

oxygen

 It is the method of biological conversion of sun energy in to sugars and

starches . Solar energy is absorbed by chlorophyll in the plant and is

stored in the plant in the form of chemical bond energy.

1) Direct combustion (Dry method)

 In this method biomass like

wood is directly burnt to get

energy.

 Stoves are used for converting

biomass in to heat energy .

These stoves are built from mud

and clay and have lower thermal

efficiency.
 2) Thermo chemical conversion

• The thermo chemical reaction can convert the organic biomass in to more
valuable and convenient form of the products as gaseous and liquid fuels,
residue and by products.

• This process can be carried out in the fallowing way

a) Pyrolysis
b) Gasification and Liquification
Pyrolysis
• It is precursor to gasification and
takes place as part of both
gasification and combustion, It
consist of thermal decomposition
in the absence of oxygen

• It is the heating of biomass in the

closed vessel at temperature in the
range 5000C to 9000C in the absence
of O2 or air or with steam. It
produces solid, liquid and gases.

• The pyrolysis process can use all

types of organic material including
plastic and rubbers
Gasification and Liquification

 Gasification and liquefaction are the two forms of thermo

chemical conversion methods.

 Gasification occurs by heating biomass with controlled

oxygen which results in a low calorific value gas . The
calorific value can be improved by reacting biomass with
steam and oxygen at high pressure and temperature

 Liquefaction is the process of converting gaseous fuel in to

liquid . The gaseous fuel is converted in methanol or ethanol

 Applications: steam for electric power generation, ,fuel for

running IC engine
 Biochemical conversion
• In the biochemical processes the bacteria and micro organisms are used to
transform the raw biomass in to useful energy like methane and ethane gas .

following organic treatments are given to the biomass:

a) Anaerobic digestion

b) Fermentation
a) Anaerobic digestion
 It is the method of producing biogas by the
decomposition of organic matter such as animal dung,
sewage sludges or green plant with help of bacteria
(Anaerobe) in absence of oxygen
 The Anaerobic digestion or anaerobic fermentation
process involves the conversion of decaying wet
biomass and animal waste in to biogas through the
decomposition process by the action of anaerobic
bacteria.
 The most useful biomass for production of biogas are
animal and human waste, plant residue and other
organic waste material with high moisture content
• Production of biogas takes place in three stages:

a) Enzymatic Hydrolysis:
during this stage, all the starch , protein and fat of the biomass are broken down in to simple
compounds.

b) Acid formation:
during this stage, complex organic compounds are broken down in to simple organic acids.
organism of anaerobic groups are responsible for this stage.

c) Methane formation:
during this stage , the acids are converted in to methane gas by anaerobic bacteria . These
bacteria are called methane fermenter
b) Fermentation
 Fermentation is a process of
decomposition of complex
molecules of organic compound
under the influence of micro
organism (ferment) such as yeast,
bacteria, and enzymes.

 The example of fermentation

process is the conversion of grains
and sugars in to ethanol and CO2 in
presence of yeast.
 Factors affecting production of biogas

1) pH value
2) temperature
3) nature and availability feed stock
4) type of digester
5) types of feeding
6) pressure
7) retention time
8) Carbon – Nitrogen ratio
1) pH value:
 It indicates , whether the slurry is acidic or alkaline . It has direct relation to gas production.
 Activities of micro organisms depends on pH value. Digestion process has different ph value for different stages. The
pH values increases to around 6 to 7.
 For the optimum production of gas ,pH value must be 7 to 7.5.

2)Temperature :
 Methane fermentors work effectively at temperature between 35 0C to 40 0C. The gas production is zero below 100C.
 The activity of bacteria will deceases sharply below 16 0C. The gas generation is more rapid between 35 0C –400C
 Gas produced outside this range will have higher CO2 .

3)Nature and availability of feed stock

 All plant and animal wastes can be used as feed stocks for biogas generation.
 Very woody feed stock is difficult to bio digest.
 Higher the rate of biogas production can be obtained using homogeneous mixture i.e. cow dung , pig dung, human
excreta etc. in definite proportion
 It will proceed best if the feed stocks consist of roughly 8% solids.
4) Type of digester:
 The maximum gas production per unit volume can be obtained when the diameter to depth ratio is about
16ft or 4 to 5 ft.
 In order to get higher rate of gas production , the digester must fitted with stirrer . Stirring improves
fermentation
 Thermal insulation must be provided to minimize the heat loss . Commonly used insulating materials are
mineral wool, straw, aluminum cladding, fiber glass.

5)Type of feeding:
 Digester must be fed at uniform rate , so that microorganisms are kept in a relatively constant organic solids
concentration at all times.
 The digester must be fed at the same time every day with balanced feed of same quality and quantity.

6 )Pressure
 The pressure at the surface of slurry affects the production of gas . Higher rates obtained at lower pressure.
7 )Retention time
 It refers to the amount of time the organic matter needs to be kept inside the digester for producing biogas.
 It depends on feed stock
 Generally , then retention time is between 30 to 45 days.

8) Carbon –Nitrogen ratio:

 the feed stock used for biogas production must contain Carbon -Nitrogen in proper proportion . Carbon & nitrogen are
main food for anaerobic bacteria Carbon is used for energy and Nitrogen is used for development of cell structure.
 The ideal carbon & nitrogen ratio for optimum biogas production is 30:1
 Too carbon content and too nitrogen content is undesirable thing , they kill the bacteria at early stages.
Classification of biogas plants
• Biogas plant are mainly classified as
1) Continuous and batch types
2) The dome and drum types
3) Different variation in drum type
1) a) Continuous type digester
In a continuous digester, organic matter is fed
regularly in to the digester.

Mechanically operated or motor driven stirrer

is used for proper mixing of the mixture.
These digester produce gas continuously without
the interruption of loading the charge and
unloading the sludge.

These are best suited for small scale domestic

application

The continuous process may be completed in a

single stage or separated in to two stages
b) Batch type
These type of digester treat a large amount of
organic material at once . They are used for large
scale applications.

 these type of digester are suitable for

digesting solid vegetable waste.

 depending on the nature of waste matter and

operating temperature , a batch digester will
start producing gas after 2 or 4 weeks , slowly
increase in the generation and stops after 3 to 4
months.

 batch digester are operated best in groups.

These are filled and emptied on after other in
definite pattern there by maintain constant
supply of gas
2) Dome and drum types  In this type digester , the gas
holder and digester are combined ,
a) Fixed dome type digester they are single unit.

Janath Biogas plant and deen

bandhu biogas plant comes under
fixed dome type digester.

 A fixed dome plant consists of an

enclosed digester with a fixed, non
movable gas space.

When gas production commence,

slurry is displaced in to the
compensating tank.

 Gas pressure increases with

volume of gas stored; therefore the
volume digester should not exceed
20m3. if there is a little gas in the
holder the gas pressure is low
Advantages:
• Cost of plant is less compare to floating type of plant
• Loss of heat is negligible since these are constructed underground
• No corrosion problem as in fixed dome type
• It is maintenance free

Disadvantages:

• Need skilled labour to operate

• Gas production per m3 of digester volume is less
• Gas is produced at variable pressure
 Floating drum usually made up of
b) Floating Drum type digester
mild steel

Inlet is higher than the outlet tank,

creating hydrostatic pressure which
help slurry to move through the
system.

Floating drum plants consist of a

digester and moving gas holder

The gas holder floats either direct on

the fermentation slurry or water
jackets of its own.

The gas collects in the gas drum ,

which thereby rises.

If gas is drawn off, it falls again. The

gas drum is prevented from tilting by
a guide frame.
KVIC BIOGAS PLANT
Advantages:
• High gas yield

• No problem of gas leakage

• Works under constant pressure naturally

• No problem of mixing of biogas with external air thus no danger of explosion

Disadvantages:

• It has a higher cost

• Heat is lost through metal gas holder

• Requires painting of drums to avoid the corrosion at least twice a year

• Requires maintenance of pipes and joints

Problem associated with biogas
plant
1 handling of effluent slurry is major problem more sufficient open space and compost
pits are require to dry the slurry. Use of press filters and transpiration is expensive

2.The gas forming methonogenic is very sensitive towards temperature compared to

non methonogenic during winter as temperature falls there is decrease in activity of
bacteria and subsequently fall in gas production rate.to over come this difficulty we have
to supply hot water and maintain manual stirring
3. due to lack of proper training many persons increase the loading rate and
improper mixing of water with cattle dung due to this flow of slurry from inlet
to outlet is very slow this may cause the accumulations of fatty acids and drop
in pH and then failure of digester .

4. some persons may add urea fertilizers in large quantities due to which
ammonia nitrogen may cause decrease in gas production.

5. pH and volatile fatty acids play an important role . We have to maintain

optimum range otherwise this may cause upsetting of digester and even its
failure

6. Leakage of gas from gas holder especially in case of janata biogas plant is
major and very common problem .
 Applications of biogas
 Bio gas is used as cooking fuel.
 Biogas used for water heating
 It is used as fuel in I C engine.
 It is used as fuel to run agricultural machineries.
 It is used to run diesel engine generator set to produce electricity.
Integration of biomass power plant with other energy systems

Cogeneration plant
A biomass energy cogeneration plant is a facility that generates
electricity and heat by burning organic materials such as wood,
agricultural residues, or organic waste. This process involves
converting biomass into thermal energy through combustion,
which drives a turbine to produce electricity.

Cogeneration, also known as Combined Heat and Power (CHP), is

a highly efficient method of utilizing biomass energy because it
captures and utilizes the heat produced during electricity
generation. The heat can be used for various purposes such as
district heating, industrial processes, or to generate steam for
additional power generation
 Difference between biomass & biogas

Sl.No Biomass Biogas

Biomass is a biodegradable it is produced by anaerobic digestion of

organic matter produce from organic matter
1 plants, both terrestrial and
aquatic and derivatives

Ex: Wood, Agricultural waste It is a mixture of methane ,CO2 and

2 etc traces of H2S
Gasifiers
• Fixed bed gasifiers are the most commonly used gasifiers. These are
classified in to three types based on the direction of gas flow through
reactor they are as fallows:
• Updraft Gasifiers
• Downdraft Gasifiers
• Cross draft Gasifiers
1) Up draft or counter current gasifiers
This is oldest and simplest type of
gasifiers.

The air from atmosphere enters at

bottom and gas leaves from the top.
Combustion reactions occurs near the
grate at the bottom .

Reduction reactions occurs some

what higher up in the gasifier in the
upper part of the gasifier.

Heating and pyrolysis of feed stock

occurs as a result of heat transfer by
forced convection and radiation from
the lower zone.

Ash is removed from the bottom of

gasifier
2) Down draft Gasifier
 A solution to the problem of tar
entertainment in the gas stream has
been found by designing co current or
down draft gasifier in which primary
gasification air is introduced above the
oxidation zone in the gasifier.

The producer gas is removed at the

bottom of the apparatus , so that fuel
and gas is move in same direction.

Depending on the temperature of the

hot zone and the residence time of the
tarry vapors, a more or less complete
breakdown of tars is achieved.

The main advantage of this gasifier lies

in the possibility of producing a tar free
gas suitable for engine applications
3) Cross draft Gasifier
 Cross draft gasifier are also
called charcoal gasification
results in a very high
temperatures in the oxidation
zone which can lead to
material problem .

In cross draft gasifiers

insulation against these high
temperatures is provided by
the fuel( Charcoal ) itself.

Advantages of the system lie

in the very small scale at which
it can be operated .

 A disadvantages of this
gasifier is their minimal tar
converting capabilities and
consequent need for high
quality charcoal.
Unit 10 Hydrogen Energy
 Properties of Hydrogen :
Property Relevance to Renewable Energy Use
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, though it
Abundance doesn’t occur freely and must be extracted from water (H₂O),
natural gas, or biomass.
Hydrogen has a high energy content (120 MJ/kg), nearly 3 times
High Energy Density (per unit mass)
that of gasoline, making it efficient by weight.
When used in a fuel cell or combusted, hydrogen produces only
Clean Combustion
water vapor—no CO₂, NOₓ, or particulates.
Can be used in fuel cells, internal combustion engines, and for
Versatility
heating or industrial processes.
Hydrogen can be stored as gas, liquid, or in chemical compounds,
Storage Capability allowing energy to be stored from intermittent sources like solar
and wind.
Can be transported via pipelines, cylinders, or in liquefied form,
Transportability
though it requires specialized infrastructure.
Hydrogen can generate electricity in fuel cells with high efficiency
Electrochemical Use (Fuel Cells)
and no direct emissions.
Safe for human health, though precautions are needed due to
Non-toxic
flammability and leak risks.
Can be produced via electrolysis using renewable electricity (green
Renewable Production Methods
hydrogen), creating a truly clean fuel.
Sources of Hydrogen
1.Natural Sources

• Water (H₂O): The most abundant source, hydrogen is extracted from water through electrolysis.

• Fossil Fuels: Hydrogen can be derived from hydrocarbons like natural gas, coal, and oil.

• Biomass: Organic materials can be gasified or fermented to produce hydrogen.

2. Industrial Production Methods
 Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) (most common):
o Reacts methane (CH₄) with steam at high temperatures.
o Source: Natural gas.
o Produces CO₂ as a byproduct (not environmentally friendly).
 Electrolysis of Water:
o Uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
o Can be clean if powered by renewables (solar, wind).
 Coal Gasification:
o Coal reacts with oxygen and steam under high pressure.
o Produces syngas (CO + H₂), which is further processed to extract hydrogen.
 Partial Oxidation of Hydrocarbons:
o Hydrocarbons (like fuel oil) are partially burned to produce hydrogen-rich gas.
 Biological Processes:
o Photobiological: Algae or bacteria produce hydrogen using sunlight.
o Fermentation: Microorganisms break down organic matter.
 Hydrogen production technologies
There are several ways to produce hydrogen (gas):
1. Natural Gas Reforming/Gasification
2. Renewable Liquid Reforming
3. Fermentation
4. Electrolysis
1. Natural Gas Reforming/Gasification: Synthesis gas (a mixture
of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a small amount of carbon
dioxide) is created by reacting natural gas with high-temperature
steam. The carbon monoxide is reacted with water to produce
hydrogen.
2. Renewable Liquid Reforming: Renewable liquid fuels, such
as ethanol, are reacted with high-temperature steam to produce
hydrogen.
3. Fermentation: Biomass is converted into sugar-rich feedstocks
that can be fermented to produce hydrogen.
4. Electrolysis or Electrolytic production of Hydrogen
Thermal decomposition of water:
Thermal decomposition of water, also known as thermolysis, is a chemical process in
which water molecules are broken down into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) gases
using high temperatures.
Process of thermo decomposition of water
1. Heating Water Vapour:
• Water is first converted to steam (gaseous form).
• The steam is then heated to temperatures above 2000°C using a high-energy source such as
concentrated solar power or nuclear heat.
2. Molecular Breakdown:
• At extremely high temperatures, the thermal energy overcomes the chemical bonds in water.
• The O–H bonds break, forming hydrogen and oxygen atoms, which recombine into:
2H2O(g)→2H2(g)+O2(g)
3.Gas Separation:
• The hydrogen and oxygen gases produced must be quickly separated to prevent recombination and
to ensure safety (since H₂ and O₂ mixtures are explosive).
• Separation is typically done using membranes, chemical scrubbers, or physical partitioning .
Thermochemical method for the production of hydrogen :
Thermochemical methods use heat and chemical reactions to split water into hydrogen
and oxygen. These processes can operate at moderate to high temperatures (500–
2000°C) and often use recyclable chemical agents.
Thermochemical Water-Splitting Cycles
These are multi-step chemical cycles where water is split using heat and intermediate
chemical reactions.
Examples include:
Sulfur–Iodine (S–I) Cycle
Uses sulfuric acid and iodine.
Requires ~850°C heat (can be supplied by nuclear or solar energy).
Overall reaction:
2H2O→2H2+O2
Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) Cycle
Operates at lower temperatures (~500°C).
Uses copper and chlorine compounds.
Biochemical method for the production of Hydrogen
Biochemical methods use microorganisms like bacteria or algae to produce
hydrogen from organic matter.
1. Dark Fermentation
Bacteria break down organic waste or biomass without light.
Produces H₂, CO₂, and organic acids.
Low yield but simple process.
2. Photofermentation
Uses light-sensitive bacteria (e.g., Rhodobacter) to convert organic acids into
hydrogen.
Requires light and special bacteria.
3. Photobiological Water Splitting
Algae and cyanobacteria use sunlight and enzymes (like hydrogenase) to split
water into H₂ and O₂.
Applications of Hydrogen Energy
1.Transportation: Hydrogen fuel cells can power vehicles, including cars, buses, trucks, and trains. This offers
a clean and efficient alternative to traditional combustion engines, as hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity
by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapor being the only emission.

2. Electricity Generation: Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity for various applications. It
can be particularly useful in remote areas or places where grid access is limited. Hydrogen fuel cells can also
support backup power systems for critical facilities.

3. Industrial Processes: Hydrogen is widely used in industrial processes, such as refining petroleum,
producing ammonia for fertilizers, and manufacturing various chemicals. By replacing conventional fossil fuel-
based processes with hydrogen, these industries can significantly reduce their carbon emissions
4. Energy Storage: Hydrogen can be used as a means of energy storage, allowing

excess renewable energy to be captured and utilized when demand is high.

Electrolysis can convert surplus electricity into hydrogen, which can later be used

in fuel cells or other applications.

5. Heating and Cogeneration: Hydrogen can be burned directly in boilers or

combined with natural gas in existing infrastructure to provide heat for

residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. This approach helps

decarbonize the heating sector while leveraging the existing distribution network.
Problem associated with hydrogen energy.
 Hydrogen is a very light gas, which makes it difficult to
store and transport in large quantities.
 The majority of hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels
which results in significant carbon emission.
 It is highly flammable and can be dangerous if not
handled properly.
 Cost of hydrogen has decreased in recent years, it is still
more expensive than traditional fossil fuel.
 Hydrogen fuel cells are not yet as efficient as internal
combustion engines.
 Building the necessary infrastructure to produce,
transport and distribute hydrogen would required
significant investment and time.