strategy
Generating biogas for fuel
Synonyms:
Using biological wastes to create biogasInstalling biogas digesters
Description:
Using gas (principally methane) given off when vegetative matter breaks down, as fuel for stoves, engines or lighting. Context:
Most biogas digesters are metal or cement tanks with a heavy floating top which pressurizes the gas. The "Chinese type" has a fixed top. In India, biogas is often called gobar gas. Implementation:
UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Yemeni Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and other organizations set up a pilot project to build biogas digesters, pit latrines and improved drainage for the animal sheds in the Yemeni village of Al-Habeel. Animal dung was channelled into 22 biodigesters, cleaning up the unhealthy wastes from the area, and generated a reliable supply of gas which can be burned free of cost and smoke, providing 85% of the energy needs of the household's connected to the system. Biogas production also cleaned the environment of unhealthy wastes, lessened the depletion of trees, and freed women from the burden of gathering fuelwood. The organic residues removed from the biodigesters are a rich fertilizer and applied to crops instead of expensive chemicals, and their application has led to a 25% increase in food grain and vegetable production. Narrower:
Recovering energy from domestic wasteUsing methane emissions from landfill sites for energy Facilitates:
Reducing atmospheric methane concentrationsReducing fossil fuel useGenerating electricity from organic wastes Values:
Wastage Organizations:
Biogas Research and Training Centre for Asia and the Pacific References:
Sasse, Ludwig: Biogas PlantsAnon: Ferrocement Biogas HolderFulford, David: Running a Biogas Programme: a handbookNyns, E J and Thomas, Sylviane: Biogas from Waste and Waste Water Treatment Subjects:
Resources → EnergyBiosciences → Biosciences
Biosciences → Biology
Amenities → Equipment
Societal Problems → Waste
Type Classification:
D: Detailed strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
