AUTOMATIC COMPRESSED BIOGAS (CBG) PLANT

sree nivas April 9, 2022 GS3 Leave a comment 525 Views

Recently, the Noida authority announced that they might shift the plant to another location that was supposed to be the site for a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) after residents protested against the setting up of an Automatic Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant.

Biogas

It mainly comprises hydro-carbon which is combustible and can produce heat and energy when burnt.
Biogas is produced through a biochemical process in which certain types of bacteria convert the biological wastes into useful bio-gas.
Since the useful gas originates from a biological process, it has been termed as bio-gas.
Methane gas is the main constituent of biogas.

Issues Related to Biomass

Pollution caused by burning wood, fossil fuels and other materials (like refuse-derived fuel utilised in waste-to-energy plants) to produce energy for cooking, heating and lighting is one of the major roadblocks to improving health and quality of life for people.
Pollutants emitted due to the burning of fossil fuels and biomass not only affect the health of people but are also responsible for climate change.
Every year, India generates almost 62 million tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), roughly half of which is organic in nature.
This organic fraction of MSW decomposes to produce methane, when disposed improperly like in landfills.
Disposing of organic wastes in landfills or burning trash is an environmental as well as health hazard. Apart from causing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, such unscientific waste disposal leads to diseases like dengue fever and malaria.
Many chronic illnesses like asthma, emphysema, cancer and heart disease have also been linked to air pollution by numerous studies.

Significance of Biogas Adoption

The biogas solution can help make our cities clean and pollution-free.
Leaching of toxic substances from landfills contaminates the groundwater.
Decomposing organic matter releases huge amounts of methane into the environment, causing air pollution and global warming as methane is a very potent GHG.
Installing large-scale municipal biogas systems can help cities handle organic waste efficiently to overcome the environmental and socio-economic challenges posed by overburdened landfills.
Municipal waste can be fed into these plants to create clean and green fuel, along with biofertilizers, while keeping the cities clean and hygienic.
Switching to biogas could be good for women because they won’t be exposed to harmful smoke and pollution.
Over four million people die every year all over the world due to high levels of indoor air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels and biomass.
The female members of a household are affected by indoor pollution as they spend more time inside the house.
Biogas can also help in reducing gender inequalities and empowering women, which, in turn, will improve the quality of lives.
As rural households gain access to biogas as cooking fuel, women and girls do not need to spend time collecting firewood and other fuel and can utilise this spare time for education, acquiring new skills, and community work.
Acquiring new skills will eventually enable them to have access to new employment and business opportunities that help them to be financially independent and have more decision-making power in the household.