INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (IRJET) VOLUME: 04 ISSUE: 02 | FEB -2017
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E-ISSN: 2395 -0056
P-ISSN: 2395-0072
Biofuel Generation from Grass Karan Bhandari1 1 Department
of Environment Engineering, K.I.T’s College of engineering, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------***-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract— Almost quarter region of Indian terrain is covered by grasslands. Grass being a low maintenance perennial crop is in abundance. Farmers are well acquainted with its nature, yield and storage. The aim of this paper is to study and identify the applicability of grass as a source of bio fuel. Anaerobic break down is a well-recognized technology. This process is vital for harnessing bio fuel from grass. . Grass is a lignocellulosic material which is fibrous and can readily cause problems with parts in motion. Further, it also has a tendency to float. This paper also deals with the ideal digester configuration for biogas generation from grass. Intensive analysis of the literature is studied on the optimum production of grass storage in accordance with bio digester specifications. Subsequent to this two different digester systems were designed, fabricated, analyzed. The first setup was a double stage wet continuous arrangement usually known as a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR). The next was a double stage, double phase system implementing Sequentially Fed Leach Beds using an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (SLBR-UASB). The above methodologies were carried for the same feedstock acquired from the same field. Examination of grass silage was undertaken using Biomethane Potential values. The outcomes portrayed that the Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor system produced about 450 liters of methane per Kg of volatile solids, at a detention period of 48 days. The second method involving Leach Beds produced about 340 liters of methane per Kg of volatile solids with a detention period of 28 days. The results showcased that CSTR when designed exclusively for grass proved to be extremely efficient in methane production. The SLBR-UASB has significant potential to allow for lower detention times with significant levels of methane production. This technology has immense future for research and development in India in terms utilizing of grass crop as a non-conventional source of fuel. Keywords— Biomethane Potential values, Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket, Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor, Bio digester specifications.
INTRODUCTION Energy is a critical input for economic growth and sustainable development in both developed as well as in developing countries. The world’s energy requirement for transportation is met from non-renewable fossil fuels. However the sharp rise in crude oil prices has fastened the urge for alternative energy sources that are renewable and non-polluting[5]. After 70 years of research, grassland scientists have concluded that grass could be efficiently used as bioenergy feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production, direct combustion for heat and electrical generation apart from its conventional uses. This paper also talks about the characteristics of the grass silage used as feed stock, process description, operational procedures and options available for pretreatment.
I. CHARACTERISTICS OF GRASS SILAGE The inlet substrate for the digester system was baled grass silage. The silage comprised of homogenous perennially available ryegrass. The grass was cut at early mature stage, as experiments showed that maximum efficiency was achieved at early mature age. Subsequently it was field wilted for 24 hours which assisted in moisture reduction before the process of baling. The bales were wrapped by adopting polythene stretch-film. Further it was stored for duration of five weeks. For experimental purpose small square bales of 25 kg were prepared [2]. The silage was macerated to average particle size of 20 mm by adopting a mobile macerator. Table: 1 Inlet parameters of the silage Parameter Dissolved (D.S)
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Solids
Impact Factor value: 5.181
Unit %
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Inlet Value 30.65
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