How to Make a Biogas Plant at Home

Overview

Biogas occurs when organic material, such as manure or kitchen waste, breaks down because of lack of oxygen. This breaking down of organic material results in a mixture of about 70 percent methane and 30 percent carbon dioxide mixed with several other trace elements. This mixture can be used as a source of fuel for cooking or powering certain types of engines. Though challenging, you can make your own biogas plant at home and reap the benefits of this power source.

Step 1

Dig a hole that is about half as deep as the barrel. Set up the barrel, which will serve as the digester, so that half of it is in the ground. This will aid in maintaining a constant temperature so that the waste can ferment.

Step 2

Use the large ball-shaped vessel as the central storage unit to hold the gas. Install the vessel at a higher elevation than the digester so that the gas will be able to be pumped upward.

Step 3

Connect the pipes to the low-power pump. Use the pipes to connect the low-power pump to the barrel and the barrel to the storage vessel. The pump aids in moving the gas to the storage vessel. You can then connect the storage vessel to your home to use as a source of fuel.

Step 4

Place organic material into the digester. Leave the digester untouched for at least eight hours to allow the organic material to ferment.