Direct use of Biogas for Cooking/Heating/Lighting Dexter Lo, Maria Isabel R. Dumlao, Lou Menard Casero, Xavier University

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How can it optimize SSWM Applicability Advantages and disadvantages Contents Concept How can it optimize SSWM Applicability Advantages and disadvantages References 3

1. Concept Background Biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and other trace gasses, which can easily be transformed to light or heat. The gas is produced by anaerobic digestion of organic material, usually animal dung, human excreta and crop residue in a biogas reactor will usually be piped from the top of the tank to a biogas cooking stove and/or biogas lights. Composition: Methane (65-70%) Carbon dioxide (25-30%) Varying quantities of water and hydrogen sulphide Other compounds such as ammonia, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon monoxide (adapted from ASHDEN (2004), TILLEY et al. (2008)) Anaerobic Biogas Reactor. Source: TILLEY et al. (2008) 4

1. Concept Working principle The main prerequisite of biogas use is the availability of specially designed biogas burners or modified consumer appliances. Can be used in stoves for cooking and in gas lamps for lighting, refrigerators and incubators, coffee roasters, driers, baking ovens and water heaters, chicken or piglet heaters, power engines for milling or generating electricity In some cases, especially at larger scale, further treatment or conditioning of biogas is necessary before it is ready to use (Treatment aims to remove water, hydrogen sulphide or carbon dioxide from the raw gas) Safety measures are needed, especially to reduce the risk of explosion in case of leakages. 5

2. Description of the Measure/Tool/Approach Examples Running a gas lamp from biogas, Vietnam. Source: PBPO Biogas stove in kitchen, India, Source: D. Fulford 6

2. Description of the Measure/Tool/Approach Examples Women cooking with biogas, Gorkha, Nepal Source: Practical Action, Rajesh KC 7

2. Description of the Measure/Tool/Approach Examples Ordinary pressure lamp that had been modified for biogas use, Kenya. Source: Daraja Kenya 8

2. How can it optimize SSWM The use of biogas for cooking, heating, lighting can help in optimizing your local water management and sanitation system and make it more sustainable by: Making productive use of the energy contained in human waste Make households less dependent on other energy sources Making cooking, lighting and heating saver, cleaner and easier in households 9

3. Applicability Easily adaptable and can be applied at the household level biodigesters are appropriate for dense housing areas or public institutions that generate a lot of sludge, but where space is limited Biogas production is less appropriate for colder climates as gas production is not economically feasible below 15°C (TILLEY et al. 2008). The use of Biogas makes cooking, lighting and heating much more saver, cleaner and easier in households. Especially if this region suffers from a lack of fuel wood. 10

4. Advantages and Disadvantages Generation of a renewable energy source No/less electrical energy required Saving of natural resources (e.g.wood) Simple and didactic process design Reduces workload in collecting firewood and in cooking Deforestation and soil erosion can be reduced Cooking is quicker and easier than cooking with firewood Disadvantages: Requires expert design and skilled construction Biogas lamps have lower efficiency compared to using kerosene 11

5. References ASHDEN (2004): Biogas cooking stoves for villages on the fringes of the tiger reserve in Ranthambhore Park. London, GB: The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy TILLEY, E., LÜTHI, C., MOREL, A., ZURBRÜGG, C., SCHERTENLEIB, R. (2008): Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies. Switzerland: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG) & Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) 12

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