This biodigester turns kitchen waste into gas

Students of Bangalore University’s department of environmental sciences have come up with a bio-digester which can transform kitchen waste into biogas, which can subsequently be used for cooking.

The bio-digester will be a boon for those Bangaloreans who find it difficult to get LPG connections.

The students developed the bio-digester as part of their project work. The prototype is on display at the ongoing Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2012. “Initially we tested with 50 gm of cowdung at the laboratory. Later, we increased the bio-digester’s capacity to 5 kg,’’ said Dr Rinku Verma, a faculty member at the department.

The bio-digester, which can be used by a family of five, is yet to be introduced in the market. “We are in talks with three Bangalore-based manufacturers. If everything goes as per our plans, the product, which will cost Rs15,000, will be in the market in 45 days,’’ Dr Verma said.

“One has to put 1 kg of cow dung and a litre of water into the bio-digester and wait for 11 days and then add 5 kg of kitchen waste. From the 11th day, one should put 5 kg of kitchen waste every day. The production of biogas will begin from the 11th day. Water should be added to the kitchen waste to make it semi-liquid. It will produce 1.7 cubic metres of biogas a day. It is sufficient for cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner for a family of five,’’ she said.

Terrace will be the ideal place to install the bio-digester. “The product needs temperature of 26-35 degree Celsius,’’ she said, adding that training will be given to those who want to install the bio-digester. For details, contact Dr Rinku Verma: 9880101975.