PinkMonkey Online Study Guide-Biology
9.1 Common Methods of Biogas Formation
Methane is the main constituent (63%) of the biogas.
(The other major constituent is carbon dioxide = 30%.) It is known by
various names such as biofuel, sewerage gas, Klar gas, sludge gas,
will-o-the wisp of marsh lands, fool’s fire, gobar gas, bio-energy
and even fuel of the future. Biogas is often used for cooking
and lighting purposes in the rural sector. It burns with a blue flame
without smoke and is without odor..
Biogas is formed under anaerobic conditions when organic materials
are converted into gases (fuel) and organic fertilizer (sludge)
through microbial reactions .
Similarly, fuel oil is produced from domestic wastes, agricultural wastes, forestry wastes, etc. by the process of pyrolysis (destructive distillation or decomposition of organic wastes in anaerobic conditions at high temperatures).
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