Study of an indian biogas plant with a water pond

Abstract

To overcome the problem of reduced biogas production, due to low ambient temperatures during the winter months of northern India, a novel concept of a shallow solar pond (SSP) water heater has been put forward and studied theoretically. The pond is proposed to be integrated with the dome of the conventional Indian (KVIC) biogas design. The results of the study show that system is capable of providing hot water upto a temperature of 40°C which, in turn, can be used for hot charging of the slurry besides reducing the heat losses from slurry to the ambient. Simultaneously, it helps in enhancing the slurry temperature from 20°C to 27°C.