Fundamentals, Operation and Global Prospects for the Development of Biogas Plants—A Review

Gulnar Gadirli, Agnieszka A. Pilarska (), Jacek Dach, Krzysztof Pilarski, Alicja Kolasa-Więcek and Klaudia Borowiak
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Gulnar Gadirli: Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, ul. Piątkowska 94A, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Agnieszka A. Pilarska: Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, ul. Piątkowska 94A, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Jacek Dach: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Krzysztof Pilarski: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Alicja Kolasa-Więcek: Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, University Opole, Kominka 6, 46-020 Opole, Poland
Klaudia Borowiak: Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, ul. Piątkowska 94C, 60-649 Poznań, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-26

Abstract: As the global demand for renewable energy continues to rise, biogas production has emerged as a promising solution for sustainable energy generation. This review article presents the advantages of biogas technologies (mainly agricultural, based on waste of animal and plant origin) and extensively discusses the main principles of biogas production in the anaerobic digestion (AD). In this respect, the main parameters of the process, which require monitoring and decisive for its efficiency are described, therefore: temperature, pH value, retention time and organic loading rate (OLR). The principles of substrate selection are also discussed and the necessity and advantages of the use of organic waste according to the model of a circular economy and the concept of sustainable development, are indicated. It is emphasized that according to the new European regulations, the crops classified as food cannot be considered energy crops. The part on biogas production is summarised with an explanation of the necessity to treat and purify biogas. Biogas purification is important from the point of view of the efficiency of its conversion into electricity. A special place in this paper is devoted to the design, construction, functioning and operation of biogas plants, based on both scientific and practical aspects. In conclusion of this chapter, the economic aspects and profitability of operating biogas plants are discussed. Cost and benefit analyses are the major tool used for the systematic evaluation of the financial costs and potential benefits associated with the operation of biogas plants. The important fact is that the return on investment can be achieved within a few years, provided the activities are well-planned and executed. In addition to the fundamental issues of the operation of biogas plants, this article presents the global situation regarding the development of biogas plants, discussing in detail the specific needs and limitations on different continents. It is a interesting and extensive part of this article. The global agricultural biogas market is at very different levels of development. Most such installations are located in Asia and Europe. China has the highest number of biogas plants, with more than 100,000 biogas plants, followed by Germany with over 10,000 plants. In addition to the 100,000 biogas plants, China also has a large number of household biogas units, which gives a total of approx. 40 million operating units. The article concludes with a discussion of opportunities and barriers to the development of biogas plants, pointing to: financial issues, access to feedstock, political regulations, public awareness and the geopolitical situation. The most frequently cited reasons for investment failure include economic problems, lack of professional knowledge.

Keywords: biogas; anaerobic digesion; feedstock sustainable energy; development of biogas plants; biowaste (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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