Biogas is a type of natural gas that is produced by the breakdown of organic materials in an oxygen-free environment. The Bio Tank Biogas can be produced from a variety of organic materials, including animal manure and plant wastes. Biogas is environmentally friendly and can be used as a fuel for cooking or heating homes, or to power vehicles.
According to kalro.org, 75% and above of the Kenyan population reside in the rural areas, where agriculture is their main source of living. Cash crops, food crops, fruits and vegetables, forages, livestock, and tree growing are their main agricultural activities. In the past most families in the rural areas used wood fuel for cooking and lighting. However, a detailed report in 1980 by Beijer Institute had foreseen a decrease in the supply of wood fuel by 2000. This has eventually happened with the legislation banning wood harvesting and families have switched to the use of petroleum for cooking and lighting.
In Kenya, households with a small income use kerosene while household with a stable income use liquid petroleum. Both are expensive and unsustainable as they are imported and non-renewable. Recently however, most Kenyans are increasingly switching to biogas for cooking according to Thomson Reuters Foundation.
How is Biogas Produced?
Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. The process is typically initiated by adding water and a source of organic carbon to a closed container. This mixture is then heated to a temperature that kills any pathogens and stabilizes the material. Anaerobic bacteria then break down the organic matter, producing biogas as well as a slurry containing minerals, water, and other nutrients. The biogas can be collected from the gas-tight digester for use as natural gas for use in homes or industry. The slurry can be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner in agriculture.
What are the Benefits of Biogas Production?
Biogas is a renewable energy source that can be produced from biomass sources such as agricultural and food waste. The biogas is clean, efficient and sustainable. Biogas production has many benefits that make it a good choice for the environment:
1. It reduces our dependence on fossil fuels
2. It produces less greenhouse gas emissions than other fossil fuels.
3. It can be used to produce electricity and heat homes.
4. It reduces the need for landfill waste disposal, which is harmful to the environment.
5. It can help reduce air pollution in cities by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
6. It is cost effective on the long run; after the incurring the start up cost it is cheaper to produce the biogas.
Biogas uses in Kenya
Biogas in Kenya is mainly used for lighting homes and fuel for cooking. Homes in the rural area that do not have electricity connection use solar lamps and solar panels. Solar lamps however, do not provide adequate lighting and installing solar panels can be fairly expensive. Firewood and charcoal are used for cooking but as we said earlier it is not a sustainable means of fuel.
Bio Tank Biogas is the best alternative solution for rural areas because of its sustainability and cost effectiveness after installation. Bio Tank Biogas can be used for both fuel and lighting which is equivalent to killing two birds with one stone. Excess biogas can be sold to increase household income.
Other bio-products of the biodigester include bio-fertilizer from the slurry produced. This bio-fertilizer is not only organic but also rich in nitrogen. Another bio-product is water which can be re-used/recycled to water plants and grass.
So, what are the requirements for Bio Tank Biogas Installation?
For a rural set up, one would need a maximum of two cows to produce manure that will be used in the biogas production. Other organic/plant waste can be used as well for the production of biogas. A sealed tank to hold the bio-waste, a generator that will digest the waste material and a means to collect the produced gases.
Here is a simplified Biogas production process for a Kenyan household.
To order Bio Tank Biogas contact us on 0724881634, our offices are at Ngoingwa classic, Mang’u Road off Thika Road, Thika, Central Province, Kenya
Summary
Biogas is increasingly gaining popularity in Kenya as prices for liquid petroleum continue to spike. One can buy stored commercial bio gas or make it at home. The article below explains bio gas production in Kenya and its various benefits.
