Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Cattle Dung-based Bio-CNG
Mains level: NA
In the news
- Nestled along the Deesa-Tharad highway in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district lies India’s pioneering gas-filling station, seemingly unremarkable at first glance.
- However, this station, powered by cattle and buffalo dung, marks a significant leap in renewable energy innovation.
Fuel Production from Dung: A Technological Marvel
- Innovative Concept: The ‘BioCNG’ outlet in Dama village of Deesa taluka stands as India’s sole gas-filling station utilizing cattle and buffalo dung.
- Daily Operations: The outlet serves 90-100 vehicles daily, selling 550-600 kg of gas generated from 40 tonnes of dung processed at an adjacent plant.
- Dung Utilization: Approximately 40,000 kg of dung are sourced daily from 2,700-2,800 animals belonging to 140-150 farmers residing within a 10 km radius of the plant.
Understanding the Dung-to-Fuel Process
- Biogas Production: Fresh dung, rich in methane and water, undergoes anaerobic digestion in a sealed vessel, yielding raw biogas.
- Purification Process: The raw biogas undergoes purification to remove impurities like CO2 and H2S, resulting in compressed biogas (CBG) suitable for vehicle use.
- Production Output: From 40 tonnes of dung, the plant generates 2,000 cubic meters of raw biogas containing 55-60% methane, 35-45% CO2, and 1-2% hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and moisture.
Dual Benefits: Fuel and Fertilizer
- Fuel Value: CBG is sold at the station for Rs 72/kg, offering a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuels.
- Fertilizer Production: The process also yields bio-fertilizer, enriching soil health and providing an additional income stream for farmers.
- Fertilizer Sales: The Banaskantha Union markets 8,000-10,000 kg of bio-fertilizer daily, with phosphate-rich organic manure (PROM) fetching Rs 15-16/kg and compost Rs 8-10/kg.
Significance: Decentralized Model for Sustainable Agriculture
- Community Involvement: The initiative engages local farmers, who supply dung to the plant, fostering community participation and economic empowerment.
- Replicability and Scalability: The model holds potential for replication across districts and states, offering a scalable solution for energy and agricultural needs.
- Investment Plans: The Banaskantha Union plans to commission four additional 100-tonnes capacity plants by 2025, with a total investment of Rs 230 crore.
Conclusion
- The establishment of India’s first dung-based gas-filling station represents a significant stride towards renewable energy adoption and agricultural sustainability.
- As technology continues to evolve, decentralized models like these hold promise for transforming rural economies while mitigating environmental impact.
- With ongoing support and investment, such initiatives can pave the way for a greener and more resilient future.
Try this PYQ from CSE Prelims 2019:
Q.In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements:
- The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
- H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
- Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.
- H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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