The Foundation Green-Ensys is a licensee for the 'Nisargruna' technology from the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai (BARC). This is an indigenous and appropriate technology developed for small scale application to convert municipal organic solid waste into biogas and manure. It is a very effective technology which can be deployed for the dual objectives of waste management as well as for livelihood creation among the urban underprivileged. Based on this concept our project proposal was selected for the final round of the 'Development Marketplace 2006' which was organised by the World Bank at Washington DC in May 2006.

The 'Nisargruna' technology adopts biphasic reactor system wherein the first reactor is operated under aerobic and thermophilic conditions. As a result of the first feature, the universal problem of odour from waste processing biogas plants is eliminated and the second feature leads to a faster process. Unlike conventional single phase digesters, which take 30-40 days, a 'Nisargruna' plant can digest organic solid waste between 18-22 days. These features offer savings in plant area and capital costs.

Furthermore, 'Nisargruna' does not involve pre-processing section as it is conscientiously limited to under 10 MT/day capacity plants. This is because of the recognition of limitations in procuring consistently quality feedstock for operating the plant. This decision is based on the 'small is beautiful' philosophy as well as in deference to the might of the 'Second Law of Thermodynamics'. Our rigorous analysis of several large-scale failed plants in the country brings us to the conclusion that mixed municipal solid waste represents highest entropy (disorder) and from energy balance point of view it is financially a highly challenging preposition to convert it into 'wealth' or 'energy' (unless adequate and transparent fiscal and financial incentives are offered). Therefore perhaps based on this understanding and strong belief, the developers of the technology recommend the strategy of decentralised installation and not the large-scale systems which attempt to chase the paradigm of 'waste to wealth', which incidentally have not been able to deliver the promised results, particularly in the Indian context.

By now about 20 plants based on the 'Nisargrun' technology have been set up in and around Mumbai in association with the urban local bodies and NGOs. Some of the successfully operating earlier installations in Mumbai can be seen at BARC, Anushaktinagar, BMC Hospital at Govandi, BARC Hospital site, Deonar and INS Kunjali.

If there is a requirement for installing robust and reliable organic waste processing facility on a small-scale, and committed organisation is available to operate it, then please contact us and we will be happy to extend our services.