Abattoir uses biological waste to produce power

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s efforts to produce energy from biological waste have finally borne fruit. In last 40 days, the Deonar abattoir has generated 1,000 units of energy after treating 7,000-8,000 kg of biological waste daily.

According to civic officials, since March 5, the plant had started producing 400-500 cubic metres of methane gas daily by treating 7,000-8,000 kg biological waste. Using the gas, about 40 units of energy are being produced by the high-power generator.

“The maximum treatment capacity of the plant is 15,000 kg of biological waste daily. Once it starts operating fully, it can produce 75 units of energy. Keeping in mind the rise in biological waste at Deonar abattoir during festival days, it is also proposed the construction of 5,000 kg plant in the vicinity. This would bring the total capacity of treating biological waste to 20,000 kg,” said Dr Yogesh Shetye, General Director of Deonar Abattoir.

In December 2014, the BMC had signed a MoU with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to set up a 20 metric tonne biomethanation plant at the Deonar abattoir on a pilot basis. This was necessitated after the National Green Tribunal had ordered the abattoir to cease slaughter of all animals for ‘violating environmental norms’.

POWER GENERATION

Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under anaerobic conditions to biogas.