The fixed dome digester: An appropriate design for the context of Sub-Sahara Africa?. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mungwe, Jerome Ndam; Colombo, Emanuela; Adani, Fabrizio; Schievano, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Biomass and bioenergy. Volume 95(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Biogas -- Small scale anaerobic digestion -- Sanitation -- Organic waste -- Sub Saharan Africa -- Levelized cost of energy; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass -- Periodicals; Energy-Generating Resources -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; 333.9539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.09.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-9534

Abstract

Abstract: The fixed dome digester design is the most deployed small scale biogas technology in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). This design is deployed on mono-feedstock-wet anaerobic digestion (WAD) principle. Little or nothing has been reported in the literature on the sustainability in terms of the actual field operation and performance of this design within the SSA context. This study aims at bridging this gap and bringing additional insights to the scientific literature by investigating the sustainability of the Nepali–type fixed dome digester within the context of rural Cameroon. The investigations were evaluated in terms of operating parameters, biogas production, production rate and productivity of the digester. In addition the local investment cost of the design was analyzed. The design was operated on multiple-locally-available feedstock mixed with water at an average of 3:1 ratio resulting in a higher than design TS of 16%. The design, thus was operated towards the dry anaerobic digestion principle, highlighting insufficient mono-feedstock and water scarcity for a sustainable operation of the design within the context of rural SSA. The average biogas production was 1.2 m 3 biogas /day, giving average volumetric production rate of 0.16 m 3 biogas /m 3 digester day −1 and yields of 0.18 m 3 biogas /kg VS respectively. This low performance compared with the potential mesophilic biogas production rate of 0.27 m 3 biogas /m 3 digester day −1 could be linked to insufficient mixing of digester content and low operating temperatures. Gas storage facility (dome), skilled labour and cement made significant contributions to the investment cost of the digester. The Levelized cost of Energy from the digester was less than 1 € cents/MJ. Highlights: Unsustainable operation of the design on mono feedstock strategy in the context. Design likely operates at irregular OLR, sub-optimal temperature, out of the WAD. The Energy Recovery Efficiency of the digester was 20%. Gas storage (dome) and skilled labour constitute most of the investment cost. At 1.2 m 3 /day of biogas, the static LCOE from the design was 3.3€ cents/kWh.