Abstract
Biogas is a renewable energy source which is commonly used for heating/cooking. A community’s investment in biogas technology can simultaneously reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources as well as providing cost effective technologies for recycling wastes. Biogas technologies use anaerobic digesters to recycle organic wastes into biogas and fertilizers. Common waste materials include animal/human waste, plant material, and other organic wastes. Biogas technology can significantly help communities solve their economical, environmental, health and energy hardships, leading to a much better quality of life if the technology is utilized correctly.
Fixed biogas units require a lot of capitol investment, building time, and a long operational life to become profitable. Refugee and natural disaster communities lack the capital and expected lifetime to make fixed biogas systems viable. Viable technologies for waste management and fuel production are vital for the communities’ survival. Portable biogas systems could be advantageous as they
can be moved from location to location as required increasing operational lifetime, therefore profitability of each unit, while providing the necessary waste management and fuel for the stated communities. The biogas units could be run by Relief Organisations that are often tasked with developing the infrastructure for these communities. The biogas systems should be integrated into the feed deposit locations, i.e. sinks and toilets, to remove user handling of waste. In order to design portable systems, suitable construction material must be used and the systems size must be carefully designed.
A review of current biogas technologies and processes is offered in order to select a suitable technology that can be used for portable systems. Operational conditions and considerations are also offered for biogas reactor technologies, in particular for the selected technology.
Fixed biogas units require a lot of capitol investment, building time, and a long operational life to become profitable. Refugee and natural disaster communities lack the capital and expected lifetime to make fixed biogas systems viable. Viable technologies for waste management and fuel production are vital for the communities’ survival. Portable biogas systems could be advantageous as they
can be moved from location to location as required increasing operational lifetime, therefore profitability of each unit, while providing the necessary waste management and fuel for the stated communities. The biogas units could be run by Relief Organisations that are often tasked with developing the infrastructure for these communities. The biogas systems should be integrated into the feed deposit locations, i.e. sinks and toilets, to remove user handling of waste. In order to design portable systems, suitable construction material must be used and the systems size must be carefully designed.
A review of current biogas technologies and processes is offered in order to select a suitable technology that can be used for portable systems. Operational conditions and considerations are also offered for biogas reactor technologies, in particular for the selected technology.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Advances in Energy Planning, Environmental Education and Renewable Energy Sources |
| Subtitle of host publication | 4th WSEAS International Conference on Enegy Planniing, Energy Saving, Environmental Eduation (EPESE '10) 4th WSEAS Confernce on Renewable Energy Sources (RES '10), May 3-6, 2010, Kantaoui, Sousse, Tunisia |
| Publisher | WSEAS |
| Pages | 130-138 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789604741878 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2010 |
