How pig manure can contribute to biogas productionThe project in the Chinese province of Jiangxi uses animal waste such as manure and wastewater from nine pig farms to produce biogas. Previously, pig farmers have collected animal waste in open lagoons, allowing the methane produced during decomposition to escape directly into the atmosphere. The project will replace these open lagoons with airtight digesters and capture the biogas produced inside. The biogas is then used to generate electricity. An average of 90,061.49 MWh of electricity is generated annually. The fermented sludge that remains in the digesters is treated in a composting system and then used as fertiliser, some of which is distributed free of charge to neighbouring farmers.
The project not only ensures that animal waste is treated safely, and greenhouse gases are avoided. It also reduces odour, supports surrounding farms by providing organic fertiliser, and creates 18 permanent jobs for the local population.
How do biogas projects help fight global warming?In biogas facilities, biomass is fermented into biogas in sealed digesters. Biomass may consist of organic waste or dung from cows or other animals. In countries like India or Vietnam, families use the gas from small biogas plants for cooking. This reduces CO2 emissions that would be produced by cooking with wood or charcoal. Biogas plants also prevent methane from escaping into the atmosphere, as is the case when organic waste is stored in an open pit. Instead, the gas is fed from the closed digesters to specific cookers and thus provides an independent and renewable source of energy.
