FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) & Answers
(re Biogas , Global Warming, CDM, CERs, ERPAs, etc.)

 

1.                  Why should we consider biogas for our farm?

 

The prices of fossil-based fuels have been rising un-abatedly.
Oil supplies are being depleted fast but, more importantly,
these fuels pollute and contribute to Global Warming.

 

Biogas is a renewable and eco-friendly fuel produced by
decomposing animal manure. Since animal manure disposal
requires expensive treatment, biogas production turns
manure problems into a cost-saving solution.

 

It can generate vast amounts of cheap mechanical & electrical
power that can be used in the farm & sold to produce more income.
And some biogas systems like the MS PBD can expel sediments
that can be used & sold as an organic fertilizer.  

 

Installing & investing in a biogas system does not only generate
cheap mechanical & electrical power, it helps protect our fragile ecosystem.
It helps reduce the effects of climate change and Global Warming.
The latter even provides substantial incentives to help defray investment costs.

 

2.                  What makes the MS PBD different and better?

 

Conventional biogas systems are huge & expensive.  Some require
high maintenance & are prone to leaks. They fill-up & require complete
replacement or massive clean-up.

 

The MS PBD is designed to be fed only with what’s needed &
it is self-cleaning. With these features, it can be built as a small &
compact unit that is less expensive & more economical.

 

In addition to biogas, it is capable of producing organic fertilizer
that can be sold for additional income. The latter also gives the
MS PBD better greenhouse gas (GHG) reducing capability for
increased CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) incentives.

 

3.                  Why does the MS PBD separate water from the influent? Isn’t the water
needed for more effective digester operation?

 

Biogas is produced by the volatile solids in the influent. More solids
equate to more biogas. The water is only used to turn the fluids into a solution
& to immerse the solids to create an anaerobic environment.

 

4.                  What are the different types of popular digesters?
Why were they built this way?

 

The most popular digester (for pig-farms in the Philippines) is the CIGAR
(Covered In-Ground Anaerobic Reactor.) It is designed to accept
all water used for pig-pen clean-up & all manure that flows with it.

 

These digesters are built with sizes ranging from 1 sow to 15 cubic meters
of digester (1:15) and 1 sow to 10 cubic meters of digester (1:10). They are huge.
Even at depths of 4 meters, 10,000 m3 units (for 1,000 sow farms)
need about 5,000 m2 (1/2 hectare) of land for the digester, berms & dikes.
They require land that could otherwise be used more profitably for other purposes.

 

5.                  How is electricity produced from biogas?

 

See question No. 6 below.

 

6.                  What types of engines can be used for biogas?

 

Biogas is 60% methane (CH4). Comparatively, Natural Gas is 95% methane (CH4.)

 

There are no engines below the 250 kw power range designed to run on biogas.
At this range, generators designed for Natural Gas are used for biogas.
Power is derated & depreciation is high but costs are still considered economical.

 

At power ranges over 250 kw, there are engines specifically designed for biogas
that are more efficient and durable. They are expensive but under the
correct conditions prove to be a better option.

 

1.                  Are there more efficient ways of using biogas? What are they?

 

There is a common misconception that biogas can only be used
for electricity generation.

 

As a fuel similar to Natural Gas, LPG and Propane, it can be used
like these fuels. It can be used for cooking, heating and operating engines.

 

Using biogas for cooking & heating (like in boilers) is the best option.
Heat utilization is at the highest efficiency level.

 

Biogas may also be used to run engines only (without generators)
to produce mechanical power to run pumps & various equipment.
Some countries use biogas to run vehicles like buses, trucks & trains.

 

2.                  What is CDM or Clean Development Mechanism?

 

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a program of the UNFCCC
(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and the Kyoto Protocol.
It aims to help reduce GHG emissions by providing non-annex countries
with incentives to implement greenhouse gas (GHG) reducing projects.

 

3.                  What is the Global Warming?

 

The average global temperature has been increasing or getting warmer.
The most noticeable effect of this phenomenon are: melting of polar ice caps,
rising ocean water levels and severe climate change.

 

Excessive GHG emissions come from the use of fossil-fuels in vehicles;
agricultural, manufacturing & industrial operations; and, deforestation.

 

These emissions are accumulating in the atmosphere much like the way heat
is trapped in a greenhouse causing a greenhouse. If heat in the greenhouse
is balanced or not exceeded, plant growth is enhanced. If there is too much heat,
the plants may wilt, dry-up and die.

 

If GHG emissions are not reduced, the whole world faces the grim prospects of
Global Warming.

 

 

4.                  What is the Kyoto Protocol? Why did the USA and Australia not participate?

 

The Kyoto Potocol is an agreement ratified by participating countries to address
the problem of Global Warming. The objective is to reduce annual GHG emissions
by 5% of 1990 levels. Failure to achieve required targets will be fined.

 

The USA and Australia opted not to participate in the treaty. Not because
they do not believe in Global Warming but because they want to pursue
their own programs to address the problem.

 

The USA and Australia are actively implementing many anti-Global Warming
programs now.

 

 

5.                  What are CERs or Certified Emission Reductions?

 

Countries participating in the Kyoto Protocol are grouped as Annex 1
and Non-Annex 1 countries. Annex 1 countries are comprised of industrialized nations
with the resources to conduct and finance GHG reduction programs.

 

Since Annex 1 countries cannot just make changes, install improvements or
replace equipment to immediately comply with the Kyoto Protocol, the CDM program
allows Annex 1 countries to fund projects in Non-Annex 1 that reduce GHG. The CERs
that result from said projects may be credited to the reduction commitments
of the countries that acquire or purchase them.

 

As carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common and prevalent GHG,
it was chosen as the reference. Biogas is 21 times more potent than CO2,
so a reduction of 1 ton of biogas converts to 21 tons of CO2 equivalent or 21 tCO2e.

 

The annual GHG emission reductions of registered CDM projects is measured
and validated. This will lead to the issuance of a Certified Emission Reduction (CER)
expressed in tons CO2 equivalent (tCO2e).

 

These CERs may be credited to an Annex 1 country that signed an Emission
Purchase Reduction Agreement (ERPA) to support the CDM project. As implied,
ERPAs provide a financial scheme that remunerates CDM proponents for the project.

 

These CERS may also be kept in predetermined account owned by the project
proponent who may opt to sell them at a future time.

 

6.                  What is carbon trading? How much are CERs worth?

 

By way of an example, as of September 2007, a large pigfarm in Chile
(Agrosuper with 102,000 sows in 5 locations), has been issued CER’s
totaling 1,997,226 tons.

 

Also, as of September 2007, prevailing prices for CER’s for delivery in
December 2008 are valued at EU16.40 or U$23.08/ton.

 

If Agrosuper had not pre-sold their 1,996,226 tons CER’s to a specific buyer
(at a certain pre-agreed or contracted price), they can be sold for delivery in
December 2008 for EU16.40/ton or U$23.08/ton less any applicable fees.

 

However, many companies (in view of the novelty & unfamiliarity with CER’s)
opted to enter into ERPA’s (Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements) with
investors who offered contracts to buy their CERs at prices that ranged from
U$4 to U$8/ton.

 

7.                  How are CERs traded? How much can they be traded? Who will buy the and why?

 

Refer to Question No. 10.

 

8.                  How do we qualify for CDM and CERs? What documentation is needed?
How much does it cost?

 

We can pre-qualify your project to determine your eligibility to the CDM program.

 

We can assist you in the CDM documentation and registration process.

 

9.                  What is meant by power transmission & management options?
How does this produce more savings?

 

Producing cheap electricity does not neccesarily mean maximum savings.
The electricity may be produced at the wrong time (i.e: when it is not needed).

 

Excessive distances between GenSets & their loads produce voltage drops
which are a form of lost power. These losses can be avoided by proper
power system designs.

 

We can assist in avoiding and minimizing power losses to maximize your savings.

 

10.              For other questions or information, please email: biofuelswork@gmail.com
or visit our Home Page at  www.biofuelswork.com.

 

  

Pictures of experimental biogas flames produced by the author.

 

The information presented here is the result of exhaustive research. There is no attempt to mis-lead or mis-represent. If there appear to be errors or mis-information, we offer our apologies. We would be happy to correct these if you will write us about them and offer published evidence of the errors and mis-information.