Biogas support for Tanzania „BiogaST“ - Ingenieure ohne Grenzen

Phase 2 - Research and development in Germany (terminated)
Ingenieure ohne Grenzen e.V. • Biogas support for Tanzania „BiogaST“
PROJECT HANDOUT
In phase 2 (08/2009 - 07/2010), two pilot biogas digesters were constructed in Germany
(Stuttgart and Berlin) in collaboration with the University Hohenheim and the Technical
University Berlin. The research was mainly focused on the gas conversion process itself as well
as the process engineering. Both plants were operated inside a green house in order to simulate
sub-saharan climate conditions. Phase 2 has been divided into a development and construction
phase on the one side and an operation and research phase on the other side.
A plant design which takes the local conditions in Tanzania into
account was the aim of this phase. The following main requirements
were integrated in the digester’s design: operation of the digester
using predominantly plant residues, minimum water consumption of
the digester compared to regular biogas plants and usage of local
resources and raw materials for the construction of the digester.
Parallel to this technically focused research, a training and education
concept based on ethnological aspects was compiled. Great efforts
were made to develop a concept that regards social and sociological
factors and educates local craftsmen in plant construction as well as
in plant operation.
Phase 1 - Feasibility study in Tanzania (terminated)
A feasibility study was carried out in phase 1 (07/2008 - 04/2009).
Ingenieure ohne Grenzen e.V. conducted an assessment in the
Kagera region focusing on the local conditions such as the climate,
the available building materials and substrates (feedstock for the
biogas plant) as well as the local energy needs. In addition, a biogas
lab was set up during a two month exploration trip to the partner
organization MAVUNO Project in Tanzania. The biogas lab was used
to analyze the available substrates.
Furthermore, the study showed that state-of-the-art biogas digester
design is not feasible for the Kagera region, as sufficient livestock is
rarely available. Instead, the plant has to operate with crop residues.
The second limitation is the high water consumption of existing types
of digesters. The newly developed small-scale biogas digester needs
to operate even during drought periods when no fresh water is
available.
Ingenieure ohne Grenzen e.V. Donations Account Office Management
Headquarter Subject: BiogaST Greifswalder Str. 4
Grüner Weg 11 IBAN DE89533500001030333337 D-10405 Berlin
D-35041 Marburg Bank: Sparkasse Marburg Biedenkopf Fon: 0049 (0)30 - 32 52 98 65
info@ingenieure-ohne-grenzen.org SWIFT HELADEF1MAR Fax: 0049 (0)30 - 32 53 28 55
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