BIOMETHANATION PLANT BASED ON VEGETABLE MARKET WASTES AT KOYAMBEDU WHOLE SALE MARKET COMPLEX, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU

BACKGROUND

The Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex is one of the projects evolved by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to decongest the central business district of Chennai city and to facilitate trading of perishables items like vegetables, fruits and flowers. It has developed over an area of 60 acres with good infrastructural facilities to attract traders and consumers.

This Market Complex being one of the largest in Asia generates large quantity of organic wastes. About 80 tonnes of wastes is generated per day and at present; this waste is collected by a private agency and transferred to a transfer station within the market complex. From there, it is transported to the Kodungaiyur dumpsite by the Corporation of Chennai. Such organic waste dumps are a potential threat to the environment and the public health. Perishable nature of these wastes coupled with high moisture content promotes natural decomposition. This leads to emission of obnoxious odours and gases like methane, carbon dioxide which are potential greenhouse gases. The organic content of the wastes also provide an ideal medium for vector and pest breeding. As a result of this, there is always a risk of epidemic. Realizing that such wastes cause health hazards, CMDA has set up a waste treatment plant based on high rate biomethanation technology to generate electricity.

Central Leather Research institute (CLRI), Chennai was involved as technology institution and an implementing agency.

WASTE ARRANGEMENT, BIOGAS AND MANURE UTILIZATION

The Market Authorities are presently having wastes collection arrangement through its sub-contractor and ten vegetable wastes is delivered at the plant site. The biogas generated is used as fuel in gas engine and the excess power generated is exported to TNEB grid. The dewatered cake is sold / used as manure by CMDA.

MATERIAL BALANCE

ENERGY BALANCE

MANPOWER REQUIREMENT FOR PLANT

PROJECT COST

Total cost of the project is about Rs. 5.00 crore.

BENEFITS ACHIEVED

• Reduction in Emission of Greenhouse Gases: Waste to Energy conversion plant has resulted into 80% reduction in CHG emissions by this quantity of waste, capturing of methane and its utilization for generation of electricity.
  
• Employment Generation and Benefits to Local Community / Industry: Employment for about 10 persons for operation and maintenance of the Plant.
  
• Waste Management / Cleanliness: Project is environment friendly and provides a means of keeping the premise clean.