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Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project - HPCL - Environment Notes

Cow dung to Compressed Biogas Project is HPCL's (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) first Waste to Energy plant. It is being developed under the GOBAR-Dhan scheme. The plant is designed to process 100 tonnes of dung per day into biogas, which may be used as vehicle fuel. It aims to improve sanitation while also producing wealth and electricity from animal and organic waste. This article explains about Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project which is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project

  • The HPCL Compressed Biogas Project is being built under the GOBAR-Dhan initiative, which was announced by the Indian government in April 2018 as part of the Grameen (Biodegradable Waste Management) component of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
  • Hindustan Petroleum Corporation began its Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas project at Sanchore, Rajasthan. This will be HPCL's first project in the Waste to Energy portfolio.
  • The HPCL Compressed Biogas Project project aims to enhance sanitation while also producing wealth and energy from organic waste and livestock.
  • HPCL's Waste-to-Energy portfolio, the first of its type, utilises 100 tonnes of dung per day to produce biogas, which may be utilised as car fuel.
  • The HPCL Compressed Biogas Project project is being developed within the scope of the GOBAR-Dhan plan, which was launched by the Indian government in April 2018 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission's (Grameen) Biodegradable Waste Management component.
Other Relevant Links
GOBARdhan - Galvanising Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan Methane Global Tracker Report
Global Methane Hub SATAT Initiative
Global Methane Initiative Global Methane Pledge
Climate and Clean Air Coalition Coal Bed Methane
MARS - Methane Alert Response System EMIT Mission
Shale Gas Harit Dhara
Rubin-8 SynGas

Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project - Significance

  • The initiative will be extremely advantageous to the country because India has the world's largest cow population (about 300 million), which produces approximately 3 million tonnes of excrement.
  • It will encourage farmers to regard dung and other waste not just as trash but as a source of revenue.
  • It will assist rural residents by keeping communities clean and sanitary, enhancing animal health, and increasing farm production.
  • Under it, biogas generation will aid in increasing self-sufficiency in energy used for cooking and lighting.
  • Farmers and livestock herders will benefit from it. It will provide new job possibilities in garbage collection, transportation, and biogas sales, among other things.
  • It would also provide reliable fuel supply in the market for oil businesses and accessible finance in the market for entrepreneurs through government programmes and banks.
  • This project will mobilise villagers to form self-help groups (SHGs) and creative societies to aid in the clean energy and green employment initiatives.

Gobar Dhan Yojana

  • The GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources)-Dhan Yojana was launched in 2018 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
  • By generating electricity from livestock and other biodegradable waste, it aims to keep communities clean and enhance rural income.
  • To track the success of this scheme's operations, an integrated portal was established.
  • The new integrated strategy aims to allow the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation to coordinate all applicable policies/schemes.

Biogas

  • Biogas is a gas combination made from natural elements such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste, and food waste.
  • Methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide are the primary gases in biogas.
  • Biogas is a renewable energy source.
  • All gas uses, including direct combustion absorption heating and cooling, cooking, space and water heating, drying, and gas turbines, can benefit from biogas.

Conclusion

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation has begun its Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas project. This will be HPCL's first project under the Waste to Energy portfolio. The project is being constructed under the GOBAR-DHAN initiative and is projected to be completed within a year. This project attempts to increase hygiene while also producing wealth and energy from organic waste and animals.

Other Relevant Links
Environment Notes Miscellaneous Topics in Environment
Methanol Economy - Conversion of high Coal Ash Coal to Methanol List of environmental acts
India's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Institutions and Measures to save the Environment

FAQs

Question: What is Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project?

Answer:

Cow dung to Compressed Biogas Project is being developed under GOBAR-Dhan scheme. The facility is HPCL's first Waste to Energy facility. 100 tonnes of dung will be processed daily by the facility to create biogas, which may be used as fuel for vehicles.

Question: What is Biogas?

Answer:

Biogas is a natural gas mixture created from agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste, and food waste. The principal gases in biogas are methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide.

Question: What is the GOBARdhan scheme?

Answer:

By transforming organic waste into compressed biogas, the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative intends to increase farming revenue.It is carried out as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin-Phase 2 by the Jal Shakti administration's Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. It came out in 2018.

MCQs

Question:Question: Consider the following: (UPSC 2019)

  1. Carbon monoxide
  2. Methane
  3. Ozone
  4. Sulphur dioxide

Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d) See the Explanation

  • Biomass is an organic substance derived from vegetation and animals that serves as a sustainable energy source.
  • The energy of the Sun is stored in plants. Photosynthesis is the process through which plants absorb solar energy. The chemical energy in vegetation is released as heat when it is burnt.
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are all produced by biomass combustion, which includes burning agricultural waste and forest fires. .
  • When rice harvest trash is burnt, it releases suspended particulate matter, SO2, NO2, and O3 into the atmosphere.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Question: With reference to Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. It is created as part of the GOBAR-Dhan programme.
  2. It will encourage farmers to view dung and other waste as a source of cash rather than garbage.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) See the Explanation

  • The Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project is HPCL's (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) first Waste to Energy plant. It is being developed under the GOBAR-Dhan programme. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The system is meant to convert 100 tonnes of dung per day into biogas, which may be utilised as car fuel.
  • It will encourage farmers to view dung and other waste as a source of cash rather than waste. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • It will benefit rural populations by keeping villages clean and hygienic, improving animal health, and increasing agricultural productivity.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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