BBMP, BARC To Set Up Bio-Methanization Unit Fed By Garbage

BANGALORE: A day may come when Bangaloreans will cook food using biogas. And streetlights could be lit up with this fuel, produced from garbage generated by you and me. And dumpyards will be history.

If all goes well, BBMP is set to collaborate with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, to dispose of the city's solid waste. BARC will set up a bio-methanization technology unit in the city, where tonnes of garbage can be converted into gaseous fuel. The pilot project will be taken up in the City Market area.

"To finalize the collaboration, which will go a long way in treating our solid waste, scientists at BARC have agreed to set up the unit in Bangalore. "I'll be visiting BARC on September 20 and 21 to get a first-hand experience of how the unit functions," mayor S K Nataraj told The Times of India.

Jayanagar MLA B N Vijaykumar said the plant requires a minimum of 5,000 sqft area, which BBMP engineers are working out.

BARC scientist Dr Sharad Kale confirmed that work will start soon. "We will take a month's time to initiate the work in Bangalore. We will begin the project by converting biodegradable waste at the vegetable market located in the centre of the city. Gradually, the system can be replicated in other localities. Our idea is to completely stop the garbage that is now going to dumping yards and landfills."

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHTS

With the biogas generated through bio-methanization, the BBMP can run a canteen close by, as has been done at the BARC premises. "To make this possible, we should have a canteen close to the plant and the private hotel owner must be willing to buy this gaseous fuel. The other alternative we are exploring is to convert this biogas into electricity and use it to light up streetlights in the vicinity of the unit," said Vijaykumar.

The plant, which costs about Rs 50-60 lakh, can process 5 tonne of segregated solid waste every day and produce 5 kg of methane per day. BBMP is also mulling over entrusting an NGO to segregate the waste as segregation at source has not been successful in the city. Plastic and paper waste must be separated from municipal waste before processing it.

GREEDY MICROBES NEED DAILY FEED

There are selected license holders to carry out bio-methanization activities in different states. In Karnataka, Iyengar Engineers are the license holders who would be executing the project.

Sampath Iyengar, chief of Iyengar Engineers, said that once the plant starts functioning, it cannot be halted, and the microbes that convert the waste into biogas must be fed every day. "A minimum of five tonne of segregated solid waste is a must and we should get it everyday. After dialogues with BBMP, we have also agreed upon maintaining the plant for three or four years, till it gets completely stabilized."

TWO UNITS IN EACH WARD

Based on the success of the pilot project, BBMP aims to replicate the same in eight wards, where two such units would be set up in each ward.

Recently, a delegation of corporators headed by MLA Vijaykumar visited BARC and learnt the working of the unit. On September 20, another delegation of corporators, BBMP's engineer-in-chief A K Gopalaswamy and engineers from the solid waste management cell will also be visiting the BARC unit that processes municipal solid waste.

According to N S Ramakanth, member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table, this is a good move to make use of waste and also create waste-sensitive communities. "I have seen the presentation made by BARC representatives at BBMP last month. It is worth investing in such projects, which not just take care of garbage, but also gives gaseous fuel methane as an end-product. The by-product will be rich nitrogenous organic fertilizer. But segregation at source is a must for the success of this project and will create a waste-sensitive community."