Biomethanation

Explanation :

Context: Prime Minister during Mann Ki Baat address made a mention of the garbage-to-power plant being commissioned inside the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Agriculture Market in Bowenpally. Vegetable and fruit waste is used to generate power to the extent of 500 units a day and 30 kilos of green manure at the plant.

• Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under anaerobic conditions to biogas.
• Three main physiological groups of microorganisms are involved: fermenting bacteria, organic acid oxidizing bacteria, and methanogenic archaea.
• Unlike other kinds of waste treatment processes, this process is completely self-sufficient and doesn’t require an external power source.
• The system is completely sealed and enclosed and collects every bit of the gas for utilization. This includes a whole host of harmful greenhouse gases.

Benefits

• Generation of gaseous fuel;
• Can be done on a small-scale;
• Enclosed system enables all the gas produced to be collected for use. Green house gases emission to the atmosphere is avoided;
• Free from bad odour, rodent and fly menace, visible pollution and social resistance;
• Modular construction of plant and closed treatment needs less land area; and
• Production of biogas and high grade soil conditioner.