Browsing by Author "Kularatna, MADIC"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

item: Thesis-Abstract
Development of a pilot-scale biogas plant to utilize biomethane as a transport fuel
Kularatna, MADIC; De Alwis, Ajith
This project was to develop a system to utilize Biomethane as a transport fuel. It was started at the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa funded by the Ministry of Science and technology. In this project, initially a suitable process was developed to produce biogas utilizing food waste obtained from university canteens and upgraded as a vehicle fuel. Then the pilot-scale biogas plant was designed and construction ofthe building and fabrication of equipments were preceded. Initially laboratory scale experiments were conducted to find out the design parameters such as analysis of food waste, composition for optimum gas production rate, etc. According to that, the total solid content (TS) is 37% and total volatile solid content (TVS) is 23%. The best composition for optimum gas production is 10% solid in the slurry. The pilot-scale biogas plant was operated and produces biogas utilizing food waste and upgraded using a water scrubber to remove C02 and H2S. After that, the cleaned gas, which is having a composition of 85% CEU, was used as a vehicle fuel. For the initial trials, biogas was replaced with LPG in a LPG three-wheeler without any modification to the three- wheeler system and it was successfully operated. According to the emission tests carried out for biogas vehicle fuel, it shows that it is operating environment friendly than gasoline.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Potential of biomethane as a transport fuel and development of pilot scale co•digestion plant for treating source separated canteen waste
(2007) Rathnasiri, PG; Kularatna, MADIC; De Alwis, AAP
In recent years the interest in bio-fuels has been increasing, motivated in the one side by the need for reducing green house gas emissions and on the other side by the desire to improve energy security by reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels. Biogas is a resultant combustible gaseous fuel produced by anaerobic fermentation of organic material by the action of microorganisms. Biogas is a valuable source of renewable energy in many senses. It is low cost, low in emissions, decentralized and has socio economic strength especially in rural areas. The only gas of economic value that is produced in an anaerobic digester is methane. It is naturally flammable, odorless, burns cleanly and can be used as a fuel.
item: Conference-Abstract
Review on upgrading and application of biogas as a vehicle fuel
(2008) Kularatna, MADIC; De Alwis, AAP; Rathnasiri, PG
A major challenge for the modern society is to break the dependency on oil and find renewable fuels for the transport sector. Biogas is an interesting fuel that can play an important part in this change. In order to be used as a vehicle fuel, the biogas must be cleaned and upgraded to natural gas quality and is referred to as biomethane. Worldwide there are about 3.8 million natural fuelled vehicles in Argentina, Sweden, Brazil, Pakistan, Italy and the US. Even though a large number of countries using this · technology, we have failed to use this in Sri Lanka. Aim of this study is to understand the potential of applying biogas for the transport sector in Sri Lanka.