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Broadening the potential of biogas in Sub-Saharan Africa: An assessment of feasible technologies and feedstocks

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  • Rupf, Gloria V.
  • Bahri, Parisa A.
  • de Boer, Karne
  • McHenry, Mark P.

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a broad review and assessment of the feedstocks and applicable biogas technologies that are feasible in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Biodigesters and feedstocks available in SSA were identified according to scale and application – household, community, institutional, and commercial. Aside from livestock manure, suitable feedstocks for household, community, and institutional biodigesters include crop residues, night soil/domestic sewage, and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Significant untapped feedstocks exist from SSA agro-processing and food production industries. Biodigesters available in SSA for household, community, and institutional installations include variations of fixed dome, plug flow, and floating cover digesters. Commercial digester designs applicable to the region include continuously stirred tank reactors and fixed film digesters. The key factors that need to be considered in selecting suitable biodigester designs for specific applications include: feedstock availability, water supply, energy demand, local materials and labour, and the level of commitment to operate and maintain the biodigester effectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Rupf, Gloria V. & Bahri, Parisa A. & de Boer, Karne & McHenry, Mark P., 2016. "Broadening the potential of biogas in Sub-Saharan Africa: An assessment of feasible technologies and feedstocks," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 556-571.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:61:y:2016:i:c:p:556-571
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.023
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    1. Rupf, Gloria V. & Bahri, Parisa A. & de Boer, Karne & McHenry, Mark P., 2017. "Development of an optimal biogas system design model for Sub-Saharan Africa with case studies from Kenya and Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 586-601.
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    3. Roopnarain, Ashira & Rama, Haripriya & Ndaba, Busiswa & Bello-Akinosho, Maryam & Bamuza-Pemu, Emomotimi & Adeleke, Rasheed, 2021. "Unravelling the anaerobic digestion ‘black box’: Biotechnological approaches for process optimization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    4. Zahida Aslam & Hu Li & James Hammerton & Gordon Andrews & Andrew Ross & Jon C. Lovett, 2021. "Increasing Access to Electricity: An Assessment of the Energy and Power Generation Potential from Biomass Waste Residues in Tanzania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-22, March.
    5. Mukeshimana, Marie Claire & Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Ahmad, Munir & Irfan, Muhammad, 2021. "Analysis on barriers to biogas dissemination in Rwanda: AHP approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1127-1137.
    6. Francis Kemausuor & Muyiwa S. Adaramola & John Morken, 2018. "A Review of Commercial Biogas Systems and Lessons for Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, November.

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