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.
Highlights
Over 168 million people live in Bangladesh, making it one of the world’s most densely populated countries, yet, the country has a notable dearth of reliable energy sources
The biogas production, and the energy production, was lower than that suggested by the GS O and M manual
This finding concurs with research report findings published by the Institute of Sustainable Development [33] which identified that 83% of all plants surveyed were underfed and that 50% of the plants received less than 50% of the recommended animal dung required. Reasons for this underfeeding were due to: Farmers/anaerobic digester (AD) plant owners having an insufficient number of cattle—itself caused by the need to periodically sell cattle post biogas plant construction; and/or the poor quality of feed stock utilised
Summary
Over 168 million people (or 1139 people per square kilometre) live in Bangladesh, making it one of the world’s most densely populated countries, yet, the country has a notable dearth of reliable energy sources. Each Bangladeshi citizen contributes a meagre USD $1888 towards gross domestic product (GDP), per annum [1], but this rate could grow exponentially in the advent of an economically viable and dependable source of energy supply. There are circa 75,000 poultry farms and 1000 cattle markets in Bangladesh [2], and the manure from these animals could provide a reliable source of clean energy to alleviate energy demand requirements for rural people. The abundance of biomass provides an enormous opportunity to change lives and fuel further economic development
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