Sustainable Waste Management and Energy Recovery using Bio-methanation in India: Current Status and Challenges
Abstract
Bio-methanation offers a safe, effective, and efficient avenue for the environmentally sound disposal of urban organic waste, while concurrently facilitating the recuperation of valuable by-products. A well-maintained Bio-methanation facility with organic waste as input feed can not only help decrease the waste disposal costs, reduce the volume (and mass) of waste that needs to be processed, and create multilateral employment opportunities but also fosters the production of clean electricity and Compressed Biogas (CBG). Various programs and schemes initiated by different governments in India aim to address the imperatives of waste management and escalating energy demands. These strategic initiatives actively encourage the establishment of Bio-methanation plants (BMPs) by local communities, regional authorities, and private enterprises. Despite the recognition of its potential, the actual number of successfully operational BMPs across India remains relatively low. This dearth of success in operating and managing existing Bio-methanation facilities may emerge as a critical restraint for prospective stakeholders (owners, builders, and operators) when contemplating new plant installations. Consequently, comprehensive research is indispensable to advance energy recovery from waste and to establish standardized design parameters for BMPs. The present investigation intends to appraise the current status of select BMPs in India, conscientiously collating and presenting information pertaining to critical parameters such as size/design capacity, type of reactor, no. of stages employed, etc. Additionally, the study identifies the challenges encountered by plant operators and technology providers in their pursuit of effective plant operation, thus, presenting valuable insights for further development and optimization of the existing technologies.