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Saving energy by using waste methane

Case Study

Saving energy by using waste methane

GSK's consumer healthcare site at Rajahmundry, India, has captured methane generated by anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge, which was previously wasted, and now uses it instead of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the site canteen. The “USE MEthane” project, which was completed in March 2005, has reduced the risk from storing LPG cylinders as well as conserving resources, saving money and eliminating waste.

Methane is generated by the factory’s effluent treatment plant. Previously, the majority of this highly flammable gas was burnt through a flare stack, with some used in the production of distilled water. The USE MEthane project examined how the gas could be put to productive use and identified canteen fuel as the best solution.

The factory laid a pipeline from the anaerobic digestion to the canteen, and bought new stoves adapted to burn methane rather than LPG.

The project has reduced the amount of LPG used in the site’s canteen by 80%, saving 255 cylinders of gas a year, worth more than £1,000. Storing fewer LPG cylinders has also improved safety, significantly reducing the risk of an explosion.

USE MEthane was awarded first place in the EHS Initiative - Environment category of our CEO's EHS Excellence Awards.