On 5th July 2023, a visit was made to the KRG Palande Ashram School to assess the condition of the Vayu-Mitra biogas plant that had been installed on the premises. During the visit, Mr. Shirsat, the principal of the school, and Mrs. Thube, who provided guidance during the tour of the biogas plant, were met. The purpose of the visit was to investigate the plant’s non-functionality and to identify potential solutions.
During the inspection of the biogas plant, the following observations were made:
Irregular and Inadequate Feeding: The daily feed provided to each of the six digester tanks was approximately ½ kg. It was noted that the feeding schedule was not consistent, leading to irregular substrate supply.
Lack of Training: It was observed that the staff responsible for managing the biogas plant required training to understand the proper feeding techniques because the feed added is not churned properly, feedstock selection, and maintenance procedures.
Daily Consumption: When the plant was working the school’s daily gas consumption included cooking of 3 kg of dal and 20 kg of rice, which were provided twice a day. The plant’s gas production appeared insufficient to meet these demands.
Daily Waste Generation: The school generates daily waste ranging from 3 kg to 30 kg, which serves as feedstock for the biogas plant.
Empty Balloon Storage: The storage tank with a capacity of 10 kg for collecting biogas was found to be empty.
Full Digesters: All six digester tanks were observed to be full, indicating that the plant was still receiving feedstock but was unable to convert it into usable biogas effectively.
Current Feedstocks: The current feedstocks used in the plant included rice, bhakari, and bhaji. It was mentioned that increasing the feed quantity resulted in higher gas generation.
Scum Layer: Scum layer was seen in some of the tanks which is also responsible for less gas generation.
In the visit to KRG Palande Ashram School, some factors were observed contributing to the non-functionality of the Vayu-Mitra biogas plant, including inadequate and irregular feeding practices, lack of training, insufficient gas production, and storage and utilization failures. By implementing the recommended measures, such as training the staff, optimizing feedstock and feeding practices, monitoring and maintenance, and seeking expert advice, it is expected that the biogas plant can be restored to full functionality. This will enable the school to utilize biogas as a sustainable energy source, reducing their dependence on conventional fuels and promoting environmental sustainability. Regular monitoring and continuous improvement efforts will be crucial for the long-term success of the plant.
