Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Biogas at Lusangazi
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit three biogas plants being operated in an area just south of Mzuzu called Lusangazi. I went with Mr. Sichinga, who is an agricultural engineer working with the Livingstonia Synod's Relief and Development Department.
What happens is that people collect cow manure, mix it with water, and allow it to sit in an underground tank for 40 days. During this time, "biogas" that can be used to power stoves, lights and other things like this rises to the top of the tank, and goes through a pipe - straight into a kitchen stove (or lights, etc.). The manure that is left over goes into another holding tank (not underground) and can still be used to fertilize crops. And, by this point, it doesn't smell at all! No flies or anything. Cool, eh? If the person maintaining the plant feeds it a little every day, there is a consistent supply of usable biogas.
One of the issues that this project is working with right now is figuring out a way to bottle the gas. These plants are a huge investment of time, money and other resources, and right now they are only being used by one household each. The three plants produce enough gas to service a lot more people; there is just no way to get the gas to the community. By bottling the gas, Mr. Sichinga and the villages involved will be able to ensure that the whole community is benefitting from the plants.
What happens is that people collect cow manure, mix it with water, and allow it to sit in an underground tank for 40 days. During this time, "biogas" that can be used to power stoves, lights and other things like this rises to the top of the tank, and goes through a pipe - straight into a kitchen stove (or lights, etc.). The manure that is left over goes into another holding tank (not underground) and can still be used to fertilize crops. And, by this point, it doesn't smell at all! No flies or anything. Cool, eh? If the person maintaining the plant feeds it a little every day, there is a consistent supply of usable biogas.
One of the issues that this project is working with right now is figuring out a way to bottle the gas. These plants are a huge investment of time, money and other resources, and right now they are only being used by one household each. The three plants produce enough gas to service a lot more people; there is just no way to get the gas to the community. By bottling the gas, Mr. Sichinga and the villages involved will be able to ensure that the whole community is benefitting from the plants.
