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THE POTENTIAL OF BIOGAS FOR MEETING ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AT HOUSEHOLDS AND INSTITUTIONS

Dr. Charles B. NIWAGABA, PhD Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering


C ll College of fE Engineering, i i D Design, i A Art t and dT Technology h l

(CEDAT) Makerere University www.mak.ac.ug k

UGANDA INSTITUTION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (UIPE) 17TH NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE (NTC 2012) STRATEGIC POSITIONING FOR POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIETY GOLF COURSE HOTEL, KAMPALA 14-15 JUNE 2012

ORDER OF THE PRESENTATION Why biogas? What is biogas g Origin g of biogas, g , as well as p present interest
in AD process and the future of AD process? How is biogas formed? How does the energy content of biogas compare with common fuels for cooking? What are health, health social and environmental benefits of biogas? The biogas process spying on nature! Some examples of applications of biogas

Globally, indoor air pollution from the burning of biomass in


poorly functioning stoves is a major contributor to indoor air p pollution.

WHY BIOGAS?

It

causes 1.6 million deaths due to pneumonia, chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancer, with the overall disease burden (in DALYS) exceeding the burden from outdoor air pollution five-fold. p high-mortality developing countries, indoor smoke contributes 3.7% of the overall disease burden.

In

WHY BIOGAS? Imagine,


if this cooking was done indoors??? Poor indoor air quality has been linked to: low-birth weight, increased infant and
perinatal mortality, pulmonary tuberculosis, nasopharyngeal and laryngeal y ge cancer c ce and d cataract.

Open cooking in Katwe, Base Slum. Photo by Niwagaba, 10th June 2012

Approximately Consequently,

WHY BIOGAS?

half of the worlds population and 90% of rural households in developing countries rely on unprocessed biomass fuels in the form of wood, dung or crop residues, which are burnt indoors in open fires or poorly functioning stoves. there are high levels of pollution, to which those responsible for cooking (especially the women and the girl children) and the young children, are the most heavily exposed.

The ferrying of trees for fire wood causes deforestation. Also,


women are largely responsible for fire wood collection, often over long distances in search for firewood, where they are can be raped! biogas, which can be produced in a home could offer a solution to the growing problem of firewood!

Hence

WHAT IS A BIOGAS?

It is a gas that consists of several gases


mainly methane (~ 55 70%) and carbon dioxide (~ 25-40%). It b burns with ith a bl bluish i h fl flame. Its flame temperature is about 850 900C. Due to hydrogen sulphide, it sometimes has a light g smell of rotten eggs. gg

Burning with a bluish flame

ORIGIN OF BIOGAS
o First seen as flickering lights from decaying matter of swamps by Plinius in 17th century. century o In 1776 Volts confirmed the biogas production from the decaying organic matter. matter o Gas produced was a mixture of gases and in certain proportions was able to burn. burn o In 1804 Dalton, Henry and Davy identified the different gases that form biogas .

Methane gas was identified as the most


important component of biogas that burns. In 1884 Gayon in France, fermented manure at 35C. C He established that biogas can be used for heating

ORIGIN OF BIOGAS

In1896 the biogas from sewage was used for


lighting streets in England England.

and lighting lighting.

Present interest in anaerobic digestion

a) b) c) d)

treatment of f organic i wastes and d wastewaters in i a broad b d range of organic loads and substrate concentrations; energy production d ti and d utilization; tili ti improvement of sanitation; reduction of odors; production d i of f high hi h quality li fertilizer. f ili

Future of anaerobic digestion

R & D has shifted from basic studies on anaerobic fermentation of quasi-homogeneous substrates, with contents of organic solids in the range of about 5 10%, to the digestion of more complex materials that need d modified difi d digester di t designs. d i The main fields of R & D activities are: fermentation f t ti at t high hi h organic i loadings; l di high rate digestion of diluted wastewater of agro-industries
g substrate separation p during g fermentation; ; including immobilization of the microorganisms

Future of anaerobic digestion


The main fields of R & D activities are (contd) : fermentation and re-use of specific materials in integrative

farming systems; biogas purification; simple but effective digester design/construction of standardized fermenters; domestic wastewater treatment.

PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS
Materials for making biogas:
Biogas can be produced from any organic matter Commercially Commerciall viable iable materials are: Animal dung (cow dung and pig dung) Human H excreta t (sewage) ( ) Examples of other materials are: Straws and leaves Kitchen remains and poultry litter , as well as pig manure Clean water .

Common Terms used in Biogas Production


Digester Is an airtight pit where biogas is produced. Feedstock (substrate) Is the organic material mixed with water and fed into the digester from which biogas is produced. Slurry Is the liquid substance left in the digester after biogas is produced. Biogas plant Is the entire system from which biogas is produced and utilized. The main components are digester, gas holder, gas delivery line and appliances. appliances

How is biogas produced?

Biogas is produced by decomposition and


fermentation of any y organic g material mixed with water in a pit (digester) under airtight conditions Technically the process is called Anaerobic Reaction The decomposition and fermentation process in simple terms is referred to as digestion digestion

How ow is sb biogas og s p produced? oduced?


The digestion process is brought about by bacterial activity. activity The bacterial activity in the digester depends on several factors: Amount of water used to dilute the feed stock. For
animal dung (cows, pigs and humans) ratio is 1:1-1:4 (material:water).

Temperature in the digester. Ideal is 25 35C. Type of feedstock used. The best feedstock is cow dung, pig dung and human excreta.

How is biogas produced?


o Carbon-Nitrogen ratio (C/N). For very good
gas production, d i the h f feedstock d k C/N ratio i should be 20-30 : 1. o Digester pressure. The pressure inside the digester should not exceed 40m H2O. o Alkalinity of the digester. The ideal alkalinity in the digester g is pH p of 6.5 7.5 ( (some literature say pH of 6.8 7.6).

Benefits of Biogas Technology


Biogas technology is very beneficial. It: Solves energy problems problems, Increase productivity of crops, fish farms and d piggery, i Contributes to improving health and environmental conditions of farmers and local communities, Contributes to reducing global warming.

Benefits of Biogas Technology


Use of biogas as energy source:
At household level biogas is used for: g, cooking, lighting, and operating refrigerators. Lets us look at heating efficiencies in the next table.

Cooking g and Lighting g g


Fuel
Wood Charcoal Cow dung g Biogas

Application Efficiency Net Heating Value ( % (Kwh/m3)


Cooking Cooking Cooking g Cooking Lighting 12 25 12 55 3 0.6 2.0 0.3 3.28 0.18

Biogas as a good cooking fuel


It is clearly seen that biogas has:
9best heating efficiency, and 9the highest g net heating g value p per unit.

than all the commonly used fuel sources in Uganda.

Family F il cooking using biogas

Ordinary pressure lamp been adapted to use biogas for security lighting

Bi Biogas lamp l being b i used d to t light li ht rooms

Use of U f bi biogas slurry l as f fertilizer tili The slurry from digester is very good fertilizer fertilizer. The digestion process frees the mineral elements in
the feedstock and makes them readily available. The freed mineral elements are immediately utilized by crops thus increasing their productivity. The farmer gains in time and utilizing all the important p minerals elements in the cow dung. g

Matoke fertilized using slurry in Mukono district district, Uganda

A happy farmer proudly showing high yield of matoke due to slurry in Mukono district, Uganda

Matoke being grown on hard soils due to slurry in Kitezi, Wakiso district

Sticks used to support the huge bunches

Health benefits of biogas technology Use of biogas for cooking reduces incidences of
respiratory and other diseases associated with smoke.

This therefore results into better health of women and


children who are p particularly y involved in cooking g

The digestion process kills pathogens in feedstock and


makes them harmless to human beings

Social benefits of biogas g technology gy

The use of biogas for cooking relieves


women and children from looking for fire wood and charcoal.

The time saved can enable women and


children engage in other economic activities of the households and use it for leisure.

Environmental benefits of biogas g technology gy

The use of biogas for cooking reduces


destruction of forests which significantly contribute to reducing global warming.

The use of biogas for cooking also


improves cleanness in kitchen which results into better working environment for women and children

Spying on Nature What can we learn from cows?

Inlet

Biogas digester

Outlet

Cows convert biodegradable plants and water to milk, cow dung and urine and gases

A new look at the cow and bull

The Biogas Plant


O tl t Outlet Inlet Biogas digester

A biogas plant operates though anaerobic digestion of organic material

The Biogas Plant


Biogas Inlet Outlet

Integrating biogas in agriculture

Some examples of biogas g plants p

Constructing C i a household h h ld fixed fi d dome d digester in Bwaise II, Kampala, March 2007

Constructing a biolatrine at Mengo Primary School, Kampala, May 2012

Some examples of biogas plants

Front part

Behind part

The Biolatrine at Mengo Primary School, Kampala, May 2012

Where is biogas technology applied? Approximatenumbersofbiogasunitsinselectedcountries:


Country China India (in 2004) Nepal (in 2007) Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Burundi, Brazil Kenya, Mexico, Cuba, Guyana; Uganda?? Morocco, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua Jamaica, Nicaragua, Jamaica Bolivia No of units 12,000,000 3,600,000 200,000 x,000 x00 Volume >100 m3 x0 ? ? 3,400 (2006) in Germany ? DK, NL, S, Thailand Thailand,

x0

99% of all systems do not use pumps, agitator, and heating

Available human excreta in India compared to the need of fertiliser

Excretaviewed aswaste:
or asa resource

Faeces Urine

250,000 tons/day 1,000,000 m3/day NPK:


X Y Z

Dry y org. g matter (DS) 90,000 , t/day y Nitrogen (N) 15,000 t/day Phosphorus (P2O5) 5,000 t/day Potassium (K2O) 3,000 t/day Carbon (C) 35,000 t/day Calcium (CaO) 5,000 t/day Potential biogas 50 mil m3 day

Slurry application in agriculture

Biogas appliances

THE ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PROCESS Complex organic matter


Carbohydrates Protein

acetogene esis methan nogenesis Hydro olysis and d Acidogen nesis

Fats

Stag ge 1

Hydrolytic & Fermentative Microorganism


propionate butirrate Volatile Fatty y acidsAlcohols acidsAlcohols

Chetons

ge 3 Stage 2 Stag

Formate Acetate

Acetogenic Bacteria O Omoacetogenic i Bacteria B i

H2+CO2

Acetoclastic bacteria
CH4+CO2

Hydrogenofilic bacteria
CH4+H2O

Biochemical process of anaerobic fermentation/digestion Step1:


Hydrolysis+Acidogenesis

Step2:
Acetogenesis

Step3:
Methanogenesis
Bacterial mass

Organic waste Carbohydrates Fats Protein Water

Bacterial mass

H2 , CO2, acetic acid


Bacterial mass

Propionic acid Butyric acid Alcohols, Other components

Methan + CO2

H2 , CO2 acetic acid

Fermentative bacteria

Acetogenic bacteria

Methanogenic bacteria

What parameters affect anaerobic digestion?


The most important determinants of good living conditions for anaerobic bacteria and therefore efficient gas production production, are :

Temperature Retention Time pH-level Carbon/Nitrogen g ratio (C/N ( ratio) ) Proportion of dry matter in substrate = suitable
viscosity

Agitation (mixing) of the substrate


If any one of these determinants is outside acceptable range, the digestion may be inhibited

Substrate temperature p in the digester g Anaerobicfermentationcanworkinanambient t temperature t b between t 3oCand d70oCand, d ifcolder, ld the th reactorhastobeinsulatedand/orheated. Common temperature ranges for bacteria: Psychrophillic bacteria below 20oC Mesophillic bacteria 20 40oC Thermophillic bacteria above 40oC Methaneproductionis verysensitivetochanges in temperature

Biogas production with continuous feeding

30

Litresof biogas perlitre ofslurry

20

10

50

100

150

Hydraulicretentiontimeindays

Some studies on biogas yield


Biogas (m ml)
Mixture proportions (C (CD:FW) ) 1:0 0:1 1:1 3:1 1:3 Treatment A B C D E

1000 800 600 400 200 0

A C

B D

Treatment Total solids (%) Volatile solids (%) pH value Density(g/L) Moisture content (%) Carbon content (%) Nitrogen content (%) C:N Ratio

A 22.82 77.18 6.2 20 95.75 37.8 1.62 23:1

B 13.33 86.67 3.7 12 97 35.3 2.54 14:1

C 16.82 83.18 4.0 18 95.5 38.6 1.81 21:1

D 16.90 83.10 4.2 14 95.5 37.9 1.92 20:1

E 15.21 84.78 3.8 16 97 37.2 2.48 15:1

0
CH4 conte ent (%)

20

40t (days)

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 A C 2 B D 4 t (week) 6

The biogas potential of cow dung (CD) alone and in The mixture at CD to FW of 3 to 1 gave the highest

Some findings

combination with food wastes (FW) at various ratios was evaluated at lab-scale, using anaerobic batch reactors operated under uncontrolled temperature for 45 days. cumulative biogas yield (730 mL) while the highest CH4 content (59 (59.2%) 2%) was attained for the FW alone. alone Therefore, Therefore to get high quantities and of good quality, CD should be mixed with FWs. A suitable mixture ratio should be investigated further. in order to get a high yields and good quality of biogas. The dung from zero grazing cows, which feed on food wastes, t e.g. banana b peelings li and d other th mixtures i t d does not t produce good quality biogas like that from cows which feed on grass.

Also previously, we found that Cows should feed on grass

pH value is crucial for a good result pH is a central parameter for controlling the anaerobic process

Optimal production when pH 7.0 7.2 Inhibition ( (due to acids) ) if pH < 6.2 p Inhibition (due to ammonia) if pH > 7.6
Deviationfromtheoptimumrangeresultsin: Lowerg gasy yield Inferiorgasquality

C/N ratio is important Microorganisms need N (nitrogen) and C (carbon) for their metabolism

Methanogenicorganismsprefera C/Nratioofbetween10:1and20:1
Nmustnotbetoolow,orelse shortageofnutrient

Recommendation: Mixdifferentsubstrates

Nitrogen inhibition

IfNconcentrationistoohigh (>1,700 >1 700mg/lofNH4N)andpH ishigh,then growthofbacteriaisinhibited dueto toxicitycausedbyhighlevelsof(uncharged) ammonia Methanogens,however,areableofadaptto 5,000 7,000mg/lofNH4Ngiventheprerequisitethat theunchargedammonia(NH3controlledbypH)leveldoes notexceed200300mg/l

Changes in dry matter (DM) concentration i id the inside th di digester t

Behaviour of the substrate inside the digester

Stirring the substrate Stirring improves the efficiency of digestion by: Removing R i metabolites t b lit (gas ( removal) l) Bringingfreshmaterialincontactwithbacteria Reducingscumformationandsedimentation Preventingtemperaturegradientsinthedigester Avoiding gtheformationofblindspots p ( (shortcuts) )

However,excessive stirringdisturbsthesymbioticrelationship p betweenthedifferentbacteriaspecies Simplebiogasunitsnormallydonothavemechanicalstirringdevises

Efficiency of a biogas unit


Input: 1kgofdry(95%)cattledungwillproduce2.5kWh (ruleofthumb)

1kgdry(100%)mattercangenerate2.5/0.95=2.63kWh Slurrycontains10%drymatter,thus1litrecangenerate0.263kWh 1litreslurry(27oC,90daysretention)releases27litrebiogas 1m3 ofbiogascangenerate6kWh(ruleofthumb) So,1litofslurrygenerates0.027*6=0.162kWh

0.162 ==0.62 0 62 Efficiency = PotentialkWh 0.262 62%efficiencyandtheother38%energyremainsintheslurry

Actual kWh

Checklist ifgasproductionislowerthanexpected
Check
IspH>7.5? No IspH<6.8? Yes Addurineorash(kg/m3)and wait1day Trytoinsulatedigester,less feed,heatsubstrate.Wait oneday Addlime(acuteaction)and waitoneday Yes

Response
AddwaterandtakepHafter onehour

Temperaturefallen? No

Yes

Toomuchfeedorof skewedcomposition?

Yes

Principles for design and construction

Continuousfeeding or batchfeeding
Gascollector: fixeddome,or floatingdome

Further treatment or direct use

Fixed-dome biogas digester

3 4

Birds eyeview
4 1 2 slurry

Floating-drum unit with water-jacket

Anaerobic filter ( (off-plot p system) y )


gas inflow scum outflow manhole

filter mass

grill sludge sedimentation tank filter tanks

AnaerobicBaffledReactor

gas manholes w um outflow

dge sedimentation inoculation of fresh wastewater with active sludge final settler

Publictoiletwithhiddentreatmentunit
wastewater anaerobic baffled reactor toilet section shower section

A public toilet with a biogas digester

Design option
Single-stage reactor: all the phases in one reactor Double-stage reactors: 1st reactor : hydr.+ acedogen. 2nd reactor: fermentation

Anaerobic digester

Flow type: Batch /continuous/ sequencing batch reactor mixed or not Biomass (microorganism): suspended growth; attached growth D process (TS > 20%) Dry Solid content: Semi-dry process (8<TS<20%) process ( (5<TS<8%) ) Wet p SIZING CRITERIA: Organic Volumetric Load, kgTVS/(m3*d) (it varies as a function of the process)

PROCESS COMPLEXITY: from simple and lowlow-cost


Human excreta

Anaerobic digester

Food waste

Effluent+ solid residue

PROCESS COMPLEXITY: PROCESS DRANCO to high

T = 50-58C

Faeces

Urine

Rainwater

Organicwaste Systemborder Groundwater recharge Liquid urine

Material flows in the toilet complex

Faeces washwater Flush Ablution water Faeces Liquidurine Urine dryingbed Slurry Aerobic Pond Slurry

biogas

Toiletunits &showers

Biodigester g

Compost

Soilconditioner

Urinepowder

Liquidfertilizer

Challenges with the anaerobic digestion

High cost! Management of slurry is a very big challenge. Not anything should be deposited in the digester: rugs, rugs
inorganic solid wastes, plastics, menstrual pads etc should be excluded.

Organic O i solid lid wastes t can be b introduced i t d d in i the th digester, di t but b t


they should be chopped/shredded in small pieces, perhaps in a machine similar to a meat mincer.

When water content is low, the material may not flow, and
thus, there may be blockages. TS/DM should be only about 5%-10% of WW.

Structural problems, especially for large systems. The


services of a competent structural engineer, conversant with fluid dynamics should be sought!

In Summary:.
Biogas technology is receiving increased attention from officials in Developing countries, due to its potential to bring an economically viable solution to the following problems: D Dependence d on i imported t d sources of f energy Deforestation, which leads to soil erosion and to a p in agricultural g productivity p y drop Providing inexpensive fertilizers to increase food production The disposal of sanitary wastes, which cause severe public health problems; The disposal of industrial wastes, which cause water pollution.

The End Thanks for listening Dr. Charles B. Niwagaba, PhD


Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Makerere University, Kampala


cniwagaba@tech.mak.ac.ug

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