Syllabus - Bio-Energy Systems: Design and Applications (AN602)

Agriculture Engineering

Bio-Energy Systems: Design and Applications (AN602)

V-Semester

Unit I

Environmental aspects of bio-energy, assessment of greenhouse gas mitigation potential. Energy and biomass availability in Indian farms – Introduction to Bio energy - Biomass – Photosynthesis - Energetics of photosynthesis - Energy farms, energy plantation- Processing of biomass for energy production- Physical and chemical properties of biomass relevant in energy conversion- proximate and ultimate analysis-HHV and LHV- estimation of calorific value- Briquetting of biomass. Classification of bioenergy processes- Thermo-chemical and Bio-chemical energy conversion processes.

Unit II

An overview of anaerobic processes for energy production – Biomethanation process – Biogas plant design, operation, fault checking, maintenance. Biogas appliances, engines - Clean-up of biogas - Developments in anaerobic waste management - Design of commercial biogas plants., Principles of high rate biogas systems- Different types of high rate bio-reactors like UASB, Anaerobic filter, fluidised bed and hybrid bioreactors. Energy production from MSW and landfills.

Unit III

Use of vegetable oils as fuel - Bio-diesel - general principles of the technology- production and use. Alcohol for fuel purpose- production processes and technology. Hydrogen as fuel – Hydrogen production by bio-photolysis – Biogas Fuel cells.

Unit IV

Combustion, gasification and pyrolysis of biomass - Basic principles. Technology and equipment for biomass combustion- Chemistry of gasification- Different types of gasifiers– Thermal applications of producer gas- Use of producer gas in engines.

Course Objective

To provide in depth knowledge on basic principles of Bio-energy systems and to provide skills in design and operation of major bio-energy systems like, improved biomass stoves, biomass furnaces, biogas plants, biomass gasifiers etc. and related appliances

Course Outcome

Students understand the principles of Bio-energy systems and become skilled in design and operation of major bio-energy systems like, improved biomass stoves, biomass furnaces, etc.

Practicals

  • Study of biomass characteristics like TS, VS, Proximate analysis and their estimation

  • Design of biogas system for a dairy unit

  • Assessment of portable biogas plants

  • Estimation of efficiency of biogas stove

  • Study of biogas engine

  • Study of anaerobic waste water treatment systems

  • Study of operation parameters of anaerobic high rate bioreactor

  • Design of biomass gasifier

  • Study of biomass gasifier system used for energy production

  • Production procedure for biodiesel

  • Study and operation of a briquetting machine

  • Estimation of BOD of an organic waste water sample

Reference Books

  • FAO 1983. Biomass Energy profiles. Food and Agrl. Organisation of the U.N. Rome.

  • FAO 1992. Biogas processes for sustainable development. Food and Agrl. Organisation of the U.N. Rome.

  • FAO 1997.Renewable biological systems for alternative sustainable energy production. Food and Agrl.Organisation of the U.N. Rome.

  • Chakraverty, A. 1989. Bio-technology and other alternative technologies for utilization of Biomass/Agrl. Wastes. Oxford & IBH Pub. Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

  • Chawla, O.P. 1986. Advances in biogas Technology, IARI, New Delhi.

  • Mathur, A.N. and Rathore N.S. 1992. Biogas production, management and utilization. Himanshu Publication. Delhi.

  • Mital, K.M., 1996, Biogas systems; Principles and applications, New Age International (P) ltd. Publishers, New Delhi.

  • Rai G.D. 1989. Non-conventional Sources of energy. Khanna Publishers. Delhi.

  • Sims, Ralph. 2002. The Brilliance of Bioenergy - In Business and In Practice, James &James (SciencePublishers) Ltd., Euston.

  • Sims, Ralph. 2002.The Brilliance of Bioenergy - In Business and In Practice, James & James (Science Publishers) Ltd, EustonRai, G.D. 2013. Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Khanna Publishers, Delhi.