Margao: An environmental audit of the biogas plant installed at the SGPDA market, Margao has pointed out there’s a mismatch between the waste utilised in the plant, gas generated and consumed, and the electrical power generated.
The audit party has also insisted that Consent to Operate needs to be obtained from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for the operation of such a bio digester.
The audit team concluded that the plant has been working as the biogas is generated and electricity has been generated. During the visit, however, the plant was not in operation.
“Based on the data analysed, it’s evident that the biogas plant is not being used to its capacity. This is probably due to the bottlenecks, namely disposal of digestate and utilisation of electricity generated. To analyse the performance of the plant better, we need to observe and analyse the plant while in operation. It is suggested that at least one more visit be organised for the same,” the audit concluded.
The audit report was prepared by a team of auditors after a visit to the biogas plant, comprising of Dr Sachin Tendulkar (CEO, Mineral Foundation of Goa), Dr Jagannath Hirkude (Professor, Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi-Ponda, Abhinav Apte, Director (Track Change LLP) and Pravin Faldesai (Goa State Pollution Control Board).
A glance at the audit report shows that the auditors have made its observations over the functioning of the plant, come out with priority issues and have made recommendations to the plant operator and the Margao Municipal Council.
The report stated that the plant operator is struggling for the disposal of the digested slurry. “There is no mechanism established for measuring the incoming waste and for maintaining the required ratio of the waste/ water. Further, the power generation engine is not connected to the GRID/GED. Presently, power generated is partly utilised for self-consumption only and the power generating unit is operated on neutral load,” the report said.
The report observed that the flaring unit is not connected to the plant. “Based on the site visits and the observations it is noted that there is a mismatch between the waste utilised in the plant, gas generated and consumed, and the electrical power generated.
Also, the mechanical equipment such as pumps and shredder/ crusher required repair/ replacements and partial modifications, the report stated.
The audit team has made a host of recommendations to the plant operator. Since the team observed abnormal noise and vibration from one of the two shredders, indicating a breakdown, the team has said the shredder/ crusher needs to be replaced/ repaired on priority and regular maintenance needs to be carried out of all critical equipment, irrespective of the plant being operational or not. A maintenance schedule may be displayed and followed, the report said.
In another recommendation, the audit team stated the incoming waste may be measured at least on a sample basis regularly to enable optimal feeding of water as well as better monitoring of the plant performance.
It was further recommended that the project proponent has to carry out analysis of the digestate slurry and the raw biogas and final biogas.
This news is reported by The Goan. To read more GOA news visit The Goan
