| Pathanapuram,
a grama panchayat in Kollam district has initiated an innovative
step by establishing a waste to energy plant in the Pathanapuram
meat and fish market market. The plant received a subsidy
from Ministry of non-conventional Energy (MNES), GOl and the
rest from plan funds of the Panchayat. The plant erected in
2003, process 250 kg of meat and fish waste / day. The treatment
plant comprises of a gas holder and a fermentation chamber
in which bio degradable organic matter and other cellulose
waste materials can be treated anaerobically which produces
methane gas and organic manure. Methane gas is a renewable
source of energy which is used for cooking, lighting, running
diesel engine and for generation of electricity. The meat
and fish waste collected from market stalls is brought to
the plant where it is shredded first in a mechanical shredder
operated by 1 HP motor. The enzymes are added to the shredded
waste to accelerate the decomposition process. The gas generated
containing methane and carbon dioxide mainly is routed through
a filter to get rid of the carbon dioxide gas. Part of the
methane gas is converted to electricity (equivalent to 2 kW)
using a dual fuel engine using 20% diesel and 80% Methane.
The generator is operated during night only at present. Hence
the remaining methane is flared off. The generated electricity
is used for lighting 20 CFL provided in the market. |
