BIOREACTORS

Bio-methanation process has been known in India for over 50 years when biogas was generated from cow dung in enclosed digesters. The technology of generation of biogas based on the phenomenon of biological decomposition of organic materials in the absence of air (anaerobic) is called Bio-methanation.  Bio-methanation occurs in the anaerobic reactor where all the biochemical reactions take place. The biodegradable matter is charged into the reactor and the anaerobic bacteria convert the organic matter to produce a gas containing methane and carbon dioxide. This gas has a calorific value of about 5000 Kcal per kg and has been variously used for cooking, lightning and power generation. The differences in various Bio-methanation processes are due to moisture content of feedstock, biodegradation rates of the feedstock and quantity of material being handled.

Bioreactors are bio-methanation plants, which can handle Kitchen waste, organic solid wastes and liquids with high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). These plants hold methanogen rich biomass, which aid in rapid conversion of organics into biogas. This process of converting organics into biogas requires in days for liquid effluents and 30-40 days for organic solid waste. These plants are modular in design and can be built to meet user requirements. This technology has been developed by ASTRA, IISc, Bangalore.

Features

• Eco-friendly
• Generate alternate renewable energy - biogas
• Generate organic manure, which can be used as fertilizers

APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY

TIDE  has constructed bio-reactors for producing energy and resources from various types of organic wastes including municipal solid wastes, leaf litter, kitchen wastes and coffee pulping effluents. For the treatment of the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste it is important that well segregated waste comes in adequate quantity to the treatment site. Eight modules in three locations have been constructed for the treatment of municipal solid waste. A kitchen waste based bioreactor has been demonstrated and is working well is the ISRO ISTRAC campus  Bangalore. Forty modules of coffee bioreactors have been constructed and are working satisfactorily in 15 coffee estates

Bio-Reactor waste management projects undertaken by TIDE