Bio-methane as a transport fuel

The Team

( Left: Ms. Irosha Kularathne, Mr. Nuditha Dilnayana, Dr. P.G. Rathnasiri, Prof. Ajith de Alwis & casual worker of team)

"Bio-methane as a transport fuel” project has been started since 2007 by Department of Chemical & Process Engineering at University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. This project was funded by Ministry of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka. The main objective of this research project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using biogas as a transport fuel.

Project was initiated in the year of 2007 and construction of the pilot plant was completed in the middle of 2009 and thereafter development activities were started. In this research project, anaerobic co-digestion process technology is used for biogas production and canteen food waste was the main substrate with co-substrates of water hyacinth and Gliricidia. Produced biogas was upgraded to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) by scrubbing and absorption processes implemented by the biogas research team in Department of Chemical & Process Engineering at University of Moratuwa.

In the process, firstly, separate the organic fraction of canteen food waste from canteen waste and crushed in a crusher mixed with co-substrate in the presence of high concentration of water. Then it pumps to continuous system tank reactor (CSTR) which is operating in anaerobic conditions. Biogas is producing in this reactor and effluent is used as an organic fertilizer. Produced biogas was upgraded to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) by removing CO₂ in scrubbing process and removing moisture in absorption process. The upgraded Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) was compressed into cylinders and used as a transport fuel.

The Biogas research team in department of Chemical & Process Engineering has been proved that Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) can used for ignite the engine as well as transport by conducting several test runs using a three wheeler. Demonstration nursery in the University of Moratuwa were resulted in remarkable fruits and vegetables from the pilot plant effluent used as a liquid organic fertilizer.

For more details, please contact Department of Chemical & Process Engineering at University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

Contact The Team:

Prof. Ajith de Alwis
Dr. P.G. Rathnasiri
Ms. Irosha Kularathne
Mr. Nuditha Dilnayana

Department of Chemical & Process Engineering
University of Moratuwa
Sri Lanka.
Telephone:         +94 112 650281
                                +94 112 650301   Ext.: 4100