Power Plant Engineering

Table 2.3
NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY POTENTIAL AND ACHIEVEMENTS
SOURCE/SYSTEM
POTENTIAL
ACHIEVEMENTS
(As on 31-03-2002)
Biogas Plants
120 lakh
33 lakh
Improved Chulhas
1,200 lakh
350 lakh
Wind
45,000 MW
1,617 MW
Small hydro
15,000 MW
1,438 MW
Biomass Power
19,500 MW
391 MW
Biomass Gasifieres
51 MW
Solar PV
20 MW/Sq Km
85 MW
Waste-to-energy
1,700 MW
22 MW
Solar Water Heating
1,400 lakh sqm collector area
6 lakh sqm collector area

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NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES AND UTILISATION
53
2.14 BIO-GAS
Biogas is a good fuel. Have you thought how this is fomed? Biomass like animal excreta, veg-
etable wastes and weeds undergo decomposition in the absence of oxygen in a biogas plant and form a
mixture of gases. This mixture is the biogas. Its main constituent is methane. This is used as a fuel for
cooking and Lighting.
2.14.1 AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC BIO-CONVERSION PROCESS
There are mainly three aerobic and anaerobic bio-conversion process for the biomass energy
applications: There are:
Bioproducts: Converting biomass into chemicals for making products that typically are made
from petroleum.
Biofuels: Converting biomass into liquid fuels for transportation.
Biopower: Burning biomass directly, or converting it into a gaseous fuel or oil, to generate
electricity.
Bioproducts. Whatever products we can make from fossil fuels, we can make using biomass.
These bioproducts, or biobased products, are not only made from renewable sources, they also often
require less energy to produce than petroleum-based products.
Researchers have discovered that the process for making biofuels releasing the sugars that make
up starch and cellulose in plants also can be used to make antifreeze, plastics, glues, artificial sweeten-
ers, and gel for toothpaste.
Other important building blocks for bioproducts include carbon monoxide and hydrogen. When
biomass is heated with a small amount of oxygen present, these two gases are produced in abundance.
Scientists call this mixture biosynthesis gas. Biosynthesis gas can be used to make plastics and acids,
which can be used in making photographic films, textiles, and synthetic fabrics.
When biomass is heated in the absence of oxygen, it forms pyrolysis oil. A chemical called
phenol can be extracted from pyrolysis oil. Phenol is used to make wood adhesives, molded plastic, and
foam insulation.