Cooking with Biogas
Introduction
Biogas is a mixture of mainly methane and carbon dioxide produced during the digestion of organic matter, such as animal and kitchen waste as well as crop residues, in the absence of oxygen.[1] Anaerobic bacteria ferment biodegradable matter into methane (40-70%), carbon dioxide (30-60%), hydrogen (0-1%) and hydrogen sulfide (0-3%). The ideal process temperature for the fermentation process is at about 35°C, which might require additional heat or insulation of the digester in regions with daily or seasonal temperature fluctuations.[2]
Viability of Biogas Production
Biogas production depends on the availability of sufficient biomass feedstock, water and space for the digester. As the biogas cannot be transported over long distances, the digester has to be placed close to the home of its user, which requires sufficient space. Yet, changing from a three-stone fire to using a biogas stove requires complex changes for a rural household, as well as for the user.
In order to check the viability of biogas in a certain area some basic points might be helpful to consider:
Further Information
References
- ↑ SNV (2010): Biogas Support Programme fuels rural household energy supply in Nepal http://www.snvworld.org/files/publications/biogas_support_programme_fuels_rural_household_energy_supply_nepal_2010.pdf
- ↑ http://www.climatetechwiki.org/technology/biogas-cook
