After months of trial runs, the compressed biogas (CBG) plant at Brahmapuram in Kochi has started treating 90 tonnes of garbage daily and generating methane, according to Kochi corporation authorities. The plant is expected to soon treat around 150 tonnes daily, which is the target for the first phase.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the plant on February 27. The quantity of waste treated daily will be increased gradually until it reaches the optimum 150-tonne limit. Once this capacity is achieved, the corporation plans to use Black Soldier Fly (BSF) plants to treat garbage from neighbouring local bodies, reducing expenditure on waste treatment.
Mayor V K Minimol stated that methane generation, the plant's primary output, has commenced. However, under the existing agreement with BPCL Kochi Refinery, the corporation will not receive any revenue from the sale of methane. Conversely, the corporation is not required to pay BPCL for treating its waste.
A Kochi corporation official noted that the plant is likely to hit the 150-tonne target by June, barring adverse conditions such as heavy and prolonged rain. Methane constitutes only 50% of the gas generated from waste treatment, with carbon dioxide and other gases making up the remainder. These components must be separated to produce 97% pure methane. Plans are in place to enhance daily waste treatment capacity to 300 tonnes in a phased manner.
BPCL Kochi Refinery has established the CBG plant on 10 acres of land at the corporation's solid waste treatment facility in Brahmapuram.
