Automation in Biogas Plant using PLC, SCADA, GSM

Abstract

Biomethanation is a process of generating biogas from organic waste such as food waste, industrial waste, night soil waste, cow dung among other organic wastes. Small and medium size conventional biogas plants are operated manually and this method has many challenges. The health of the digester/fermentation tank has to be monitored on a regular basis for stable biogas generation process. Biogas plant has four major processes starting from organic waste collection and mixing, digestion, gas collection and gas distribution. In order to operate the biogas plant at an optimal level without any stoppages implementation of Automation will be important to mitigate the challenges faced in conventional biogas plant. .In this system the overall process are controlled by programmable logic controller and field instruments. And also these processes are controlled by PLC and monitored by SCADA using software. The project uses fabric digesters instead of the typical mild steel or concrete based digesters and the idea to control the plant using GSM module is also being suggested. The obtained biogas is used for as fuel in cooking and also for generation of electricity.