Determination of the Potential Impact of Domestic Anaerobic Digester Systems: A Community Based Research Initiative in Rural Bangladesh

Rahman, K.M. and Melville, L. and Edwards, D.J. and Fulford, David and Thwala, WD (2019) Determination of the Potential Impact of Domestic Anaerobic Digester Systems: A Community Based Research Initiative in Rural Bangladesh. Processes, 7 (8). p. 512. ISSN 2227-9717

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Abstract

This research examines the potential impact of domestic anaerobic digester (AD) systems adopted in Bangladesh and similar developing countries. Cattle dung and poultry litter feed stocks were specifically investigated, because these were freely available and plentiful to people living within agricultural areas of rural Bangladesh. Data was collected to ascertain whether these two representative AD facility types provide tangible social, economic and environmental impact that benefits homeowners. Primary quantitative and qualitative data was obtained by field data collection, and meeting with expert groups and stakeholders. Empirical analysis conducted revealed that variations were found in the biomass feedstocks available on different sites but also differences were apparent in terms of the operations and maintenance (O and M) systems of the biogas plants operated. The biogas and methane yield variation was also measured, and variations were found in the cattle dung and poultry litter AD yield capacity. Overall, 64% of feedstock was utilised, 91% of biogas plants remain underfed and energy yield efficiency was 57% from cattle smallholdings’ AD and 28% from poultry farms’ AD. These results showed that small scale AD can offer a significant impact upon rural lifestyles through augmented economics, improved social activities, relationship building with neighbours and improved lifestyle achieved via time savings accrued. These results could help rural entrepreneurs, AD equipment providers and government institutions to develop a road map to implement future AD installation on a much wider geographical scale.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr7080512
Dates:
DateEvent
5 August 2019Published
29 July 2019Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords: anaerobic digestion; biogas; Bangladesh; impact; energy; feedstock
Subjects: CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-10 - others in biosciences
CAH06 - agriculture, food and related studies > CAH06-01 - agriculture, food and related studies > CAH06-01-02 - agricultural sciences
CAH26 - geography, earth and environmental studies > CAH26-01 - geography, earth and environmental studies > CAH26-01-02 - physical geographical sciences
CAH10 - engineering and technology > CAH10-01 - engineering > CAH10-01-09 - chemical, process and energy engineering
CAH19 - language and area studies > CAH19-04 - languages and area studies > CAH19-04-06 - Asian studies
Divisions: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Engineering and the Built Environment
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Depositing User: Khondokar Rahman
Date Deposited: 06 Aug 2019 08:24
Last Modified: 03 Mar 2022 15:49
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7823

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