Biogas plant based on BARC tech opened at NIT, Tiruchy

The MOU was signed last year to promote various technologies of BARC for societal benefits, such as NISARGRUNA (Biogas Plant), soil organic carbon detection kit, domestic water purifier.

The DAE Technologies Display and Dissemination Facility (DTDDF) centre was established at NIT Tiruchy on Friday, following which the bio gas plant was inaugurated. It converts the kitchen organic waste generated from hostel premises into gas.

Dr V P Venugopalan, Associate Director, Bio-science group (A), BARC inaugurated the plant, in the presence of Dr Mini Shaji Thomas, Director, NIT- T, Registrar and Deans of the institute.

The BARC experts briefed the institute staff about the features of the biogas Plant. Conventional Gobar gas plants have a single digester and produce biogas containing 55-65 per cent of methane and 45-35 per cent of carbon dioxide.

But the Nisargruna plants are biphasic (aerobic followed by anaerobic phase) and produce biogas containing 70-80 per cent of methane and only 30-20 per cent of carbon dioxide. Nisargruna plants help to produce 25-30 kg Methane gas and 50-90 kg manure per day. The gas generated will be used for cooking at hostels in the institute.

“It is a zero garbage and zero effluent discharging technology which will help in efficient solid waste management,” a NIT-T official said.

Several meetings and exhibitions were recently conducted at NIT-T and in surrounding areas to spread awareness about DTDDF products. The events were also aimed at encouraging youth to become entrepreneurs.