Difference between revisions of "Experience with Polyethylene Biogas Digester (PBD)"

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'''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Experience Polyethylene Biogas Digester (PBD) from</span>''' some countries.  
+
'''<span style="font-size: 14pt">Experience Polyethylene Biogas Digester (PBD) from</span>''' some countries.  
  
 
&nbsp;  
 
&nbsp;  
Line 5: Line 5:
 
'''Overview'''  
 
'''Overview'''  
  
<span>Polyethylene Biogas Digesters have been used repeatedly over the last 15
+
<span>Polyethylene Biogas Digesters have been used repeatedly over the last 15 years. In some areas they have been abandoned after unsuccessful introduction but usage has never stopped completely. Although data about the lifespan and reliability of plastic digesters are rare, reports show that the lifespan of the plastic tubes is always a main issue. </span>
years. In some areas they have been abandoned after unsuccessful introduction
 
but usage has never stopped completely. Although data about the lifespan and
 
reliability of plastic digesters are rare, reports show that the lifespan of
 
the plastic tubes is always a main issue. </span>  
 
  
<span>They can just be operated properly if the farmers take care about the
+
<span>They can just be operated properly if the farmers take care about the digesters. This needs intensive training and raised responsibility amongst the farmers. </span>
digesters. This needs intensive training and raised responsibility amongst the
 
farmers. </span>  
 
  
<span>If they do, experiences showed that most problems are easily to handle
+
<span>If they do, experiences showed that most problems are easily to handle and can be fixed by farmers.</span>  
and can be fixed by farmers.</span>  
 
  
<br>  
+
<br>
  
<span>Below are some extracts of information collected from the project and from the Internet from
+
<span>Below are some extracts of information collected from the project and from the Internet from experiences with plastic tube digesters in other countries</span>  
experiences with plastic tube digesters in other countries</span>  
 
  
 
== Bolivia - EnDev project  ==
 
== Bolivia - EnDev project  ==
  
See what colleagues are doing in Bolivia: [[Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digesters in Bolivia|click here]]<br>  
+
See what colleagues are doing in Bolivia: [[Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digesters in Bolivia|click here]]<br>
  
== <br> ''Vietnam''''':'''&nbsp;  ==
+
== <br>''Vietnam''''':'''&nbsp;  ==
  
<span>Over 30,000 Units have been installed over the past ten years in Vietnam and was
+
<span>Over 30,000 Units have been installed over the past ten years in Vietnam and was widely accepted by the farmers</span>  
widely accepted by the farmers</span>  
 
  
 
''<span>(Presentation by Vo Lam, Takeshi Watanabe, College of Agriculture,</span>'' Cantho University. Vietnam)&lt;span /&gt;  
 
''<span>(Presentation by Vo Lam, Takeshi Watanabe, College of Agriculture,</span>'' Cantho University. Vietnam)&lt;span /&gt;  
  
<br>  
+
<br>
  
 
== ''Tanzania:''  ==
 
== ''Tanzania:''  ==
  
<span>It is concluded that the main reasons for failure was insufficient
+
<span>It is concluded that the main reasons for failure was insufficient training of farmers and insufficient follow up by Surude. </span>
training of farmers and insufficient follow up by Surude. </span>  
 
  
 
''<span>(Evaluation of small scale biogas digesters in</span>'' Turiani, Nronga and Amani, Tanzania  
 
''<span>(Evaluation of small scale biogas digesters in</span>'' Turiani, Nronga and Amani, Tanzania  
Line 45: Line 35:
 
by University of Aarhus, Denmark)  
 
by University of Aarhus, Denmark)  
  
<br>  
+
<br>
  
 
== ''Honduras''''':'''  ==
 
== ''Honduras''''':'''  ==
  
<span>Polyethylene Plastic tubes must be purchased in large quantities. Need
+
<span>Polyethylene Plastic tubes must be purchased in large quantities. Need of a third party to act as a distributor to farmers.</span>  
of a third party to act as a distributor to farmers.</span>  
 
  
 
Flooding for digesters laid in trench  
 
Flooding for digesters laid in trench  
Line 56: Line 45:
 
''<span>(Emerging Biodigester Technology in Honduras:</span>'' Biophysical Process and Operation  
 
''<span>(Emerging Biodigester Technology in Honduras:</span>'' Biophysical Process and Operation  
  
''<span>By N. Stuart Green; Montana</span>'' Tech of the Universityof Montana, 1999)<br>  
+
''<span>By N. Stuart Green; Montana</span>'' Tech of the Universityof Montana, 1999)<br>
  
<br>  
+
<br>
  
 
== ''Kenya''''':'''  ==
 
== ''Kenya''''':'''  ==
  
<span>After a false start in promoting this energy source in Kenya in the
+
<span>After a false start in promoting this energy source in Kenya in the mid 1990s, it was successfully reintroduced by KARI-Embu in 2005. According to Erastus Kiruiro from KARI-Embu there are around 300 tubular digesters in use, mostly in Central Kenya but also around Nairobi</span>  
mid 1990s, it was successfully reintroduced by KARI-Embu in 2005. According to
 
Erastus Kiruiro from KARI-Embu there are around 300 tubular digesters in use,
 
mostly in Central Kenya but also around Nairobi</span>  
 
  
 
''<span>(The Organic Farmer, The Magazine for</span>'' sustainable agriculture in Kenya, Nr. 45 February 2009)  
 
''<span>(The Organic Farmer, The Magazine for</span>'' sustainable agriculture in Kenya, Nr. 45 February 2009)  
Line 71: Line 57:
 
&nbsp;  
 
&nbsp;  
  
''Based ''<span>on'' Promoting Biogas Systems in Kenya,&nbsp;''
+
''Based ''<span>on'' Promoting Biogas Systems in Kenya,&nbsp;'' </span>
</span>  
 
  
<span>“Pioneer Technologies” (a Kenyan plastic company) has built 200 plants
+
<span>“Pioneer Technologies” (a Kenyan plastic company) has built 200 plants since 2006. </span>
since 2006. </span>  
 
  
 
They improved the plastic tubes to be better sun and pressure resistant.  
 
They improved the plastic tubes to be better sun and pressure resistant.  
Line 81: Line 65:
 
It has not been a successful story yet due to:  
 
It has not been a successful story yet due to:  
  
<span style="">-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>there is no reliable back-up support  
+
<span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>there is no reliable back-up support  
  
<span style="">-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>“The digester seems to suffer from effects of variable
+
<span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>“The digester seems to suffer from effects of variable temperature, and there is a possibility that the heat catalyses some reactions that produce other volatile gases as well as methane” </span>
temperature, and there is a possibility that the heat catalyses some reactions
 
that produce other volatile gases as well as methane” </span>  
 
  
 
&nbsp;  
 
&nbsp;  
  
<span>It is still a promising approach which is strongly driven by KARI. Currently
+
<span>It is still a promising approach which is strongly driven by KARI. Currently there are many problems and referring to the feasibility study mentioned above 4 of 5 visited plants had some technical problems but most of them could have been solved easily.&nbsp;</span>  
there are many problems and referring to the feasibility study mentioned above
 
4 of 5 visited plants had some technical problems but most of them could have
 
been solved easily.&nbsp;</span>  
 
  
 
&nbsp;  
 
&nbsp;  
  
<span>“Development of the plastic tubular technology was initiated in August
+
<span>“Development of the plastic tubular technology was initiated in August 2006. </span>
2006. </span>  
 
  
<span>The Plastic Tubular bio-digesters are designed for households with two
+
<span>The Plastic Tubular bio-digesters are designed for households with two to three animals although bigger ones have been installed. Capacity of the former is about 8-9 m3, with a gas holding chamber of 1-3 m3. A larger one that doubles this size has already been installed. The smaller Plastic Tubular Bio-digesters can give gas for six hours using one burner. Methane production is initially dependent on temperatures. </span>
to three animals although bigger ones have been installed. Capacity of the
 
former is about 8-9 m3, with a gas holding chamber of 1-3 m3. A larger one that
 
doubles this size has already been installed. The smaller Plastic Tubular
 
Bio-digesters can give gas for six hours using one burner. Methane production
 
is initially dependent on temperatures. </span>  
 
  
<span>Currently, Pioneer Technologies Ltd receives support from Land O’lakes
+
<span>Currently, Pioneer Technologies Ltd receives support from Land O’lakes and has entered into research collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Land O’Lakes gives financial support to the company in the production of biogas digesters. JKUAT is supposed to carry out investigations into issues arising from the use of the technology, with focus on how the technology can be improved, made more efficient etc. However, Pioneer Technologies Ltd gave the JKUAT one digester only, and so the university should acquire more digesters for any meaningful research to be done. </span>
and has entered into research collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of
 
Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Land O’Lakes gives financial support to the
 
company in the production of biogas digesters. JKUAT is supposed to carry out
 
investigations into issues arising from the use of the technology, with focus
 
on how the technology can be improved, made more efficient etc. However,
 
Pioneer Technologies Ltd gave the JKUAT one digester only, and so the
 
university should acquire more digesters for any meaningful research to be
 
done. </span>  
 
  
 
&nbsp;  
 
&nbsp;  
  
<span>Pioneer Technologies Ltd has installed its
+
<span>Pioneer Technologies Ltd has installed its bio-digester in various parts of the country including Nakuru, Meru, Kisumu, Kiambu, the coastal regions and the environs of Nairobi. The company has capacity to install up to 3,000 units a year, but there are several challenges including:</span>  
bio-digester in various parts of the country including Nakuru, Meru, Kisumu,
 
Kiambu, the coastal regions and the environs of Nairobi. The company has capacity to install
 
up to 3,000 units a year, but there are several challenges including:</span>  
 
  
<span style=""><span>-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+
<span><span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span>Most households need some financial support to acquire the technology. At cost, a Plastic Tubular Bio-digester goes for €322 only. However, this excludes the cost of transport – and so areas further away from Nairobi pay more money. In Meru, users paid up to €399. The cost of the technology, though coming down is prohibitive to most farmers, although when financial and economic analyses are made, especially taking into account opportunity costs vis a vis other energy technologies, it is very likely that bio-digesters will be economical and profitable.</span>  
</span></span></span><span>Most
 
households need some financial support to acquire the technology. At cost, a
 
Plastic Tubular Bio-digester goes for €322 only. However, this excludes the
 
cost of transport – and so areas further away from Nairobi pay more money. In Meru, users paid
 
up to €399. The cost of the technology, though coming down is prohibitive to
 
most farmers, although when financial and economic analyses are made,
 
especially taking into account opportunity costs vis a vis other energy
 
technologies, it is very likely that bio-digesters will be economical and
 
profitable.</span>  
 
  
<span style=""><span>-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+
<span><span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span>Training of technicians to support the technology is costly. Not all technicians trained will work on the digesters forever, some move on. There is need for the technology to be supported by some form of extension. Regular visits to households that have installed it are critical for longevity, good use and success of the technology. </span>
</span></span></span><span>Training
 
of technicians to support the technology is costly. Not all technicians trained
 
will work on the digesters forever, some move on. There is need for the technology
 
to be supported by some form of extension. Regular visits to households that
 
have installed it are critical for longevity, good use and success of the
 
technology. </span>  
 
  
<span style=""><span>-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+
<span><span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span>Many people are not aware of the existence of the technology, or if aware, do not have adequate information on how the technology actually works. This is a hindrance to large-scale adoption. </span>
</span></span></span><span>Many
 
people are not aware of the existence of the technology, or if aware, do not
 
have adequate information on how the technology actually works. This is a
 
hindrance to large-scale adoption. </span>  
 
  
<span style=""><span>-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+
<span><span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span>At times, the technology fails because of unmet expectations. Even the Plastic Tubular Bio-digester has some technical problems – and these need to be sorted out. Without a reliable back-up support, small problems can lead potential users to shun away from it. But companies like Pioneer Technology Ltd cannot afford to have an extension/back-up support team because it already charges very low figures to install a unit. </span>
</span></span></span><span>At
 
times, the technology fails because of unmet expectations. Even the Plastic
 
Tubular Bio-digester has some technical problems – and these need to be sorted
 
out. Without a reliable back-up support, small problems can lead potential
 
users to shun away from it. But companies like Pioneer Technology Ltd cannot
 
afford to have an extension/back-up support team because it already charges
 
very low figures to install a unit. </span>  
 
  
<span style=""><span>-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+
<span><span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span>Users need to be trained, and this is quite costly. This is where organisations like Land O’Lakes come in. </span>
</span></span></span><span>Users
 
need to be trained, and this is quite costly. This is where organisations like
 
Land O’Lakes come in. </span>  
 
  
<span style=""><span>-<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+
<span><span>-<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span>There are many research needs on the technology  
</span></span></span>There are many research needs on the technology  
 
  
 
&nbsp;  
 
&nbsp;  
  
<span>Pioneer Technologies
+
<span>Pioneer Technologies Ltd has trained 7 technicians to support the technology and at least 300 or so units have been installed country wide and despite small problems, all are now working.”</span>  
Ltd has trained 7 technicians to support the technology and at least 300 or so
 
units have been installed country wide and despite small problems, all are now
 
working.”</span>
 
 
 
<span />
 
  
 +
&lt;span /&gt;
  
 +
<br>
  
 
== Documents on Energypedia  ==
 
== Documents on Energypedia  ==
  
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_altiplano_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Altiplano Bolivia - (3.000 - 4.500 m above sea level)]  
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_altiplano_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Altiplano Bolivia - (3.000 - 4.500 m above sea level)]  
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_valley_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Valley Bolivia - (2.000 - 3.000 m above sea level)]<br>  
+
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_valley_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Valley Bolivia - (2.000 - 3.000 m above sea level)]<br>
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_tropics_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Tropics Bolivia - (0 - 2.000 m above sea level)]  
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_tropics_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Tropics Bolivia - (0 - 2.000 m above sea level)]  
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_comparison_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Comparison of the Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Types of GTZ / EnDev Bolivia]  
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:Fact_sheet_01_2010_comparison_low-cost_polyethylene_tube_digester_bolivia.pdf Fact Sheet Comparison of the Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester Types of GTZ / EnDev Bolivia]  
Line 185: Line 114:
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:How_to_install_a_polyethylenedigester_sl.pdf How to Install a polyethylene Digester]
 
*[http://www.energypedia.info/index.php/File:How_to_install_a_polyethylenedigester_sl.pdf How to Install a polyethylene Digester]
  
<br>  
+
<br>
  
<br>  
+
<br>
  
[[Category:Biogas]] [[Category:Vietnam]] [[Category:Kenya]] [[Category:Honduras]] [[Category:Tanzania]] [[Category:Bolivia]]
+
[[Category:Biogas]] [[Category:Kenya]] [[Category:Honduras]] [[Category:Tanzania]] [[Category:Bolivia]]

Revision as of 06:13, 7 June 2010

Experience Polyethylene Biogas Digester (PBD) from some countries.

 

Overview

Polyethylene Biogas Digesters have been used repeatedly over the last 15 years. In some areas they have been abandoned after unsuccessful introduction but usage has never stopped completely. Although data about the lifespan and reliability of plastic digesters are rare, reports show that the lifespan of the plastic tubes is always a main issue.

They can just be operated properly if the farmers take care about the digesters. This needs intensive training and raised responsibility amongst the farmers.

If they do, experiences showed that most problems are easily to handle and can be fixed by farmers.


Below are some extracts of information collected from the project and from the Internet from experiences with plastic tube digesters in other countries

Bolivia - EnDev project

See what colleagues are doing in Bolivia: click here


Vietnam: 

Over 30,000 Units have been installed over the past ten years in Vietnam and was widely accepted by the farmers

(Presentation by Vo Lam, Takeshi Watanabe, College of Agriculture, Cantho University. Vietnam)<span />


Tanzania:

It is concluded that the main reasons for failure was insufficient training of farmers and insufficient follow up by Surude.

(Evaluation of small scale biogas digesters in Turiani, Nronga and Amani, Tanzania

by University of Aarhus, Denmark)


Honduras:

Polyethylene Plastic tubes must be purchased in large quantities. Need of a third party to act as a distributor to farmers.

Flooding for digesters laid in trench

(Emerging Biodigester Technology in Honduras: Biophysical Process and Operation

By N. Stuart Green; Montana Tech of the Universityof Montana, 1999)


Kenya:

After a false start in promoting this energy source in Kenya in the mid 1990s, it was successfully reintroduced by KARI-Embu in 2005. According to Erastus Kiruiro from KARI-Embu there are around 300 tubular digesters in use, mostly in Central Kenya but also around Nairobi

(The Organic Farmer, The Magazine for sustainable agriculture in Kenya, Nr. 45 February 2009)

 

Based on Promoting Biogas Systems in Kenya, 

“Pioneer Technologies” (a Kenyan plastic company) has built 200 plants since 2006.

They improved the plastic tubes to be better sun and pressure resistant.

It has not been a successful story yet due to:

-       there is no reliable back-up support

-       “The digester seems to suffer from effects of variable temperature, and there is a possibility that the heat catalyses some reactions that produce other volatile gases as well as methane”

 

It is still a promising approach which is strongly driven by KARI. Currently there are many problems and referring to the feasibility study mentioned above 4 of 5 visited plants had some technical problems but most of them could have been solved easily. 

 

“Development of the plastic tubular technology was initiated in August 2006.

The Plastic Tubular bio-digesters are designed for households with two to three animals although bigger ones have been installed. Capacity of the former is about 8-9 m3, with a gas holding chamber of 1-3 m3. A larger one that doubles this size has already been installed. The smaller Plastic Tubular Bio-digesters can give gas for six hours using one burner. Methane production is initially dependent on temperatures.

Currently, Pioneer Technologies Ltd receives support from Land O’lakes and has entered into research collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Land O’Lakes gives financial support to the company in the production of biogas digesters. JKUAT is supposed to carry out investigations into issues arising from the use of the technology, with focus on how the technology can be improved, made more efficient etc. However, Pioneer Technologies Ltd gave the JKUAT one digester only, and so the university should acquire more digesters for any meaningful research to be done.

 

Pioneer Technologies Ltd has installed its bio-digester in various parts of the country including Nakuru, Meru, Kisumu, Kiambu, the coastal regions and the environs of Nairobi. The company has capacity to install up to 3,000 units a year, but there are several challenges including:

-       Most households need some financial support to acquire the technology. At cost, a Plastic Tubular Bio-digester goes for €322 only. However, this excludes the cost of transport – and so areas further away from Nairobi pay more money. In Meru, users paid up to €399. The cost of the technology, though coming down is prohibitive to most farmers, although when financial and economic analyses are made, especially taking into account opportunity costs vis a vis other energy technologies, it is very likely that bio-digesters will be economical and profitable.

-       Training of technicians to support the technology is costly. Not all technicians trained will work on the digesters forever, some move on. There is need for the technology to be supported by some form of extension. Regular visits to households that have installed it are critical for longevity, good use and success of the technology.

-       Many people are not aware of the existence of the technology, or if aware, do not have adequate information on how the technology actually works. This is a hindrance to large-scale adoption.

-       At times, the technology fails because of unmet expectations. Even the Plastic Tubular Bio-digester has some technical problems – and these need to be sorted out. Without a reliable back-up support, small problems can lead potential users to shun away from it. But companies like Pioneer Technology Ltd cannot afford to have an extension/back-up support team because it already charges very low figures to install a unit.

-       Users need to be trained, and this is quite costly. This is where organisations like Land O’Lakes come in.

-       There are many research needs on the technology

 

Pioneer Technologies Ltd has trained 7 technicians to support the technology and at least 300 or so units have been installed country wide and despite small problems, all are now working.”

<span />


Documents on Energypedia