Table of contents | |
Microbes In Sewage Treatment | |
Primary Treatment | |
Secondary Treatment or Biological Treatment | |
Microbes In The Production of Biogas | |
Biogas Plant |
Municipal waste-water which contains large amounts of organic matter is called sewage.
Before disposal, hence, sewage is treated in sewage treatment plants (STPs) by the heterotrophic microbes to make it less polluting.
Sewage treatment is carried out in two stages.
Sewage Plant
Biogas is the mixture of gases produced by the microorganisms. It is a renewable source of energy. Methane is the predominant gas present in the biogas mixture.
Certain bacteria grow under anaerobic conditions and produce a large amount of methane along with carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The bacteria which produce the gaseous mixture are collectively known as methanogens. Methanobacterium is one such methanogen.
Methanobacterium is present inside the rumen of the cattle and the sludge produced during sewage treatment. The Methanobacterium present in the food of the cattle digests the cellulose present. The dung then produced by the cattle contains these methanogens which can be used for the production of biogas also known as the gobar gas.
Cattle dung is available in the rural area in very large quantities. Therefore, we can find biogas plants more often in rural areas. The biogas produced can be used for lighting and cooking purposes.
The conversion of waste into energy takes place in a biogas plant, by the activity of certain microbes.
Biogas Plant
Biogas Production in Landfill
Apart from the biogas plant, the biogas is also produced in the landfills.
Substrates Required in Biogas Production
Animal Wastes | Dung and urine of cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, slaughter houses |
By-products | Tobacco waste, bagasse, bran |
Aquatic plants | Algae, water hyacinth |
Crop Residues | Straw, fodder, weed, crop stubble, sticks of cotton and jute |
Forest Residues | Branches, leaves, twigs, bark |
Urban solid waste | Paper, domestic waste |
Human waste | Night soil |
Advantages of Biogas
The use of biogas is environment-friendly. It implies the conversion of animal and plant waste into useful energy, thereby, reducing the production of methane. This is because of the biogas combustion which results in a net decrease in the emission of greenhouse gases.
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1. What is the role of microbes in sewage treatment? |
2. How do microbes contribute to the production of biogas? |
3. Can sewage treatment plants generate biogas? |
4. What are the benefits of using biogas in wastewater treatment plants? |
5. Are there any challenges associated with the use of microbes in sewage treatment and biogas production? |
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