What is biogas? Describe the steps involved in obtaining biogas.

Biogas is an excellent fuel for cooking purposes, and it also contains 75% of methane because of which biogas burns without giving any kind of smoke and do not leave any residue after being heated.

The popular biomass used in India are as follows:

i. Cow Dung

ii. Residues left after harvesting of crops.

iii. Agricultural Waste

iv. Sewage

v. Vegetable Waste

vi. Wood

The steps involved in obtaining biogas:

1. All the above biomass is taken and dumped in the biogas reactor to form slurry. The required amount of water is also mixed with the biomass to form a slurry.

2. The anaerobic bacteria present in the biomass start the process of decomposition by digesting the organic matter present in the reactor and simultaneously releasing the gases which are collected in the gas chamber and then released when required.

3. The residue left behind in the reactor contains many important minerals like phosphorous and nitrogen which serves as a good fertilizer for the plants.

4. Since biogas also uses wastewater, it removes the oxygen-demanding pathogens present in the waste thereby preventing the pollution of water bodies.