Construction of a Family sized Biodigester

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By: Engr. Titilope Fadipe

University of TwenteTwente Centre for Studies in Technology and Sustainable Development (CSTM)

Institute for Innovation and Governance Studies (IGS)Enschede, The Netherlands

BIO• First degree in Chemical Engineering and Masters in Project Magt• Principal Chemical Engineer with Lagos State Ministry of the Environment• Executive Engineer with Lagos State Physical Planning & Urban

Development• Head, Marketing Luxem Energy & Logistic• Assistant quality Control Officer with Friesland Foods (Nigeria)• Honorary Fellow, Institute of Carbon Account & Traders, UK• Fellow, Leadership on Environmental Sustainability and Development, UK• Certified Engineer by Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria• Coporate Member, Association of Professional Women Engineer• Coporate Member, Nigeria Society Engineers• Coporate Member, Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineer• Member, International Association of Impact Asessment (IAIA)

Rationale • As a chemical Engineer with Masters in Project

Management. My motivation for developing a biodigester was borne out of my experiences due to my direct involvement during and in the rendering of my professional technical expertise and service to the Lagos State Government’s (LASG) Technical Committee on the establishment of Waste-To-Wealth facilities in Lagos State.

-Cont’d-• While these experiences are vast and varied, the

recurring problem of the inability of the proponents of specific OEM’s waste-to-energy (WTE) conversion technologies being proposed to the technical committee to get the projects funded, provided an opportunity for me to think there will be more practical, less capital intensive and proven waste-conversion technology and approach for a waste electricity production facility. Hence wanting to develop something very cheap, accessible and available to everyone Looking for a DIY Renewable Energy

Map of Lagos

Lagos State• Although Lagos state is the smallest state in Nigeria,

with an area of 356,861 hectares of which 75,755 hectares are wetlands, yet it has the highest population, which is over five per cent of the national estimate.

• As at 2006, the population of Lagos State was 17.5 million, (based on the parallel count conducted by the state during the National Census) with a growth rate of 3.2%, the state today has a population of over 21 Million.

• With 15,000 tonnes of waste generated per day

Lagos Waste Stream• Papers - 10%• Glass- 5%• Plastics- 15%• Metals- 5%• Textile- 4%• Fines- 8%• Putrescible- 8%• Vegetables - 45%

Percentage distribution of household by type of fuel for cooking in Nigeria

Percentage distribution of household by type of fuel for cooking in Lagos/Abuja

Biodigester• Biodigester is fabricated with a plastic tank, pipes and

appliances to decompose organic waste, kitchen waste and produce biogas-to supplement conventional fuel sources and bio slurry to apply as organic manure in the farms or vegetable gardens. Biogas is a cooking fuel that serves as alternative to firewood, charcoal and kerosene. It is a system that is clean, easy to use, save you money and improve your home.

COMPONENTS OF A BIODIGESTER DEVELOPMENT AND

PRODUCTION.• Inlet (Mixing Funnel) (kitchen waste/food waste)• Inlet Pipe• Digester • Gas Holder (dome) • Outlet (Displacement Chamber) and overflow opening • Main Gas Pipe and Turret • Main Gas Valve • Pressure Gauge • Gas Tap • Gas Stove with rubber hose pipe • Slurry Collector

Cost of Fabricating a 3mby3.5m Biodigester

S/N Parts Prices ($)

1 Supertex Tank 88.3

2. Pipes 11.8

3. Pressure Valves 9.0

4 Gas Valve 9.0

5 Hose 15.0

6 Gas Stove 29.4

7. Total Cost 162.5

Schematic of a Biodigester

Research

Biodigester1

Biodigester2

Other sources....

-Cont’d-

Testing Customers value proposition and Identifying Market Opportunity

• Biodigester Survey

• General Report - Biodigester Survey

• biodigester

Conclusion• The cost of owning a biodigester is $162.5 while the cost

of buying 50litres kerosene per month is $35.3 @0.71/litre and $423.5/yr. The cost of filling a 25kg LPG gas cylinder is between $17.7-$20.6.

• A 3m by 3.5M tank can produce 18MJ of energy using 4kg of kitchen waste

• Conclusively, owning a biodigester is more about comparative cost analysis and comparative benefits (A Cheap, Clean and readily available means of energy)

-The End-

Reference• http://diy-renewables.wix.com/biodigester• http://www.lawma.gov.ng• http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng• Salisu Isihak, Uduak Akpan, Monsuru Adeleye, (2012)

"Interventions for mitigating indoor-air pollution in Nigeria: a cost-benefit analysis", International Journal of Energy Sector Management, Vol. 6 Iss: 3, pp.417 – 429

• ENABLING URBAN POOR LIVELIHOOD POLICY MAKING: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ENERGY SERVICES Country case study by Friends of the Environment, 2005