Biogas Energy Production: Benefits and Drawbacks. Tuesday, 31 October 2023
Good evening steemians. I am honored to share with you another interesting and exciting post under renewable energy thus biogas production, advantages and disadvantages.
Biogas is a renewable energy produced by the bio-degradation of organic materials such as food and animal waste. Biogas can be used in various homes as fuel to cook food, to power vehicles, heating and also to generate electricity for rural and urban electrification.
Biogas is produced when organic matter thus plants and dead animals as well as animal waste, are broken down in the absence of air or oxygen by micro -organisms. This process is termed as anaerobic digestion. This occurs when the waste materials are enclosed in an environment where oxygen is limited or none exists.
It can occur naturally or as part of an industrial process to create biogas as a fuel.
A wide variety of waste materials break down into biogas, including animal manure, waste or rubish from municipal, materials from plant and food waste.
Biogas consists mainly of methane and carbon dioxide. It may as well contain small amounts of hydrogen sulphide, siloxanes and moisture. The quantities of these gas varies depending on the type of waste which are involved in the production.
The advantages of Biogas Production
- Biogas is environmentally friendly. The energy produce is clean, renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere. No emissions into the atmosphere hence It helps to control global warming. Using biogas is a win win situation.
- Biogas help to minimise water and soil pollution. Biogas can be produced from waste either from plant or animals, in this case ,it reduces overflowing land fills which allow poisonous or toxic liquids into rivers, streams and underground water. This help to improve water quality and consequently help to improve sanitation
- Biogas by-product is very rich in organic fertilizer. Aside the gas or energy generated, the by product of biogas can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizer. This organic fertilizer unlike chemical fertilizer has no effect which aid in plant growth
- Biogas serve as a source of energy for most homes. This save time spent by women to fetch firewood and it also help to prevent respiratory disease in the case of those who use firewood
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The disadvantages of producing biogas
- It is very difficult to produce biogas in large quantities. The production of biogas is not all that efficient. It involves a lot of technicalities which has not been improved yet
- Biogas production leaves traces of impurities that corrode engines when it is used to power vehicles.
- Biogas is affected by temperature. As temperature changes, it production is affected. A temperature of 37°C is needed for the production and in the case of raining season,its production is hugely affected
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Thank you for your time.