Biogas Quality across Small-Scale Biogas Plants: A Case of Central Vietnam

Hynek Roubík,Jana Mazancová,Phung Le Dinh,Dung Dinh Van,Jan Banout

doi:10.3390/en11071794

Abstract

Production of bioenergy by the fermentation reaction is gaining attraction due to its easy operation and the wide feedstock selection. Anaerobic fermentation of organic waste materials is generally considered a cost-effective and proven technology, allowing simultaneous waste management and energy production. Small-scale biogas plants are widely and increasingly used to transform waste into gas through anaerobic fermentation of organic materials in the developing world. In this research, the quality of biogas produced in small-scale biogas plants was evaluated, as it has a direct effect on its use (as fuel for biogas cookers), as well as being able to influence a decision making process over purchasing such technology. Biogas composition was measured with a multifunctional portable gas analyser at 107 small-scale biogas plants. Complementary data at household level were collected via the questionnaire survey with the owners of biogas plants (n = 107). The average daily biogas production equals 0.499 m3, not covering the demand of rural households which are using other sources of energy as well. Related to the biogas composition, the mean content of methane (CH4) was 65.44% and carbon dioxide (CO2) was 29.31% in the case of biogas plants younger than five years; and CH4 was 64.57% and CO2 was 29.93% for biogas plants older than five years. Focusing on the age of small-scale biogas plants there are no, or only minor, differences among tested values. In conclusion, the small-scale biogas plants are sustaining a stable level of biogas quality during their life-span.

Highlights

In developing countries, environmental pollution and access to energy sources still represent challenges, especially in relation to human and environmental health and economic development [1].Energy influences the status and pace of development; a current challenge for the developing world lies in the available supply of affordable and sustainable eco-friendly renewable energy (SDG 7) [2]
Anaerobic fermentation of organic materials is generally considered as a major cost-effective and matured technology [5] with its dual benefits as a waste management tool and simultaneous energy production [6]
Mainly for rural in households, the main objective this paper is to evaluate theinquality of chemical and physical parameters in relation to the age of installed biogas plants

Summary

Introduction

Environmental pollution and access to energy sources still represent challenges, especially in relation to human and environmental health and economic development [1].Energy influences the status and pace of development; a current challenge for the developing world lies in the available supply of affordable and sustainable eco-friendly renewable energy (SDG 7) [2]. Environmental pollution and access to energy sources still represent challenges, especially in relation to human and environmental health and economic development [1]. Bioenergy production by fermentation reaction is gaining attraction due to its easy operation and a wide selection of organic wastes feedstock [4]. Anaerobic fermentation of organic materials is generally considered as a major cost-effective and matured technology [5] with its dual benefits as a waste management tool and simultaneous energy production [6]. Small-scale biogas plants are widely and increasingly used to transform waste into valuable gas in the developing world [7,8] and may represent an economically

Methods

Results

Conclusion