D.I.Y. RENEWABLES
D.I.Y. Renewables Biodigester
Prototype
DIY Renewables have their 1st prototype functional in Lagos Nigeria. It is simple to install and low maintanenance. The biodigester consists of a 300 gallon PVC tank with outlet for the biogas. It can help reduce or even terminate the need for cooking gas. Anaerobic fermentation of organic waste (kitchen, agricultural, and many other kids of waste) inside of the tank can produce enough biogas for 4-5 people's cooking needs per day, as well as manure for your garden once per month.
For Hotels/Farms it serves a dual purpose:
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Waste disposal
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Fuel generation
​ Additionally, through pressure build-up, the biogas generator is able to display the amount of biogas currently stored, giving the user a clear indication of available volume.
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18 MJ of energy per day
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No operation cost
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No smoke
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Safe to use
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With biogas level indicator
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Manure for agriculture/gardens
Salient Features
How It Works
The biodigester works by harnessing the fermentation of organic waste products such as kitchen scraps, agricultural waste, and even human and animal waste by anaerobic bacteria. These waste products, mixed into a slurry with water, go through a process that transforms human food into methane and carbon dioxide. The methane, termed biogas, is an excellent fuel source, and can be used just like commercial natural gas for cooking, heating, and even electricity generation.
The diagram to the right demonstrates how a small-utility biogas generator works. The organic waste slurry is poured into a large sealed vessel which contains the chemical reaction and traps the produced biogas inside of its dome. The pressure of this gas is controlled through an output, which can be fed directly to a gas stove, a heater, or a generator. In addition, there is an outlet from which depleted organic waste matter can be removed and used as highly enriched compost, making room for new organic waste slurry. Using this process, a constant, self-replenishing supply of biogas can be created from what would otherwise we thrown away.
D.I.Y. Renewable's mission is to make biogas generation technology available on a scale much small than small-utility, allowing restaurants, hotels, and even households to own their own means of natural gas production. D.I.Y. Renewables hopes that biodigester technology will do its part to lessen the world's reliance on existing forms of chemical fuel such as kerosene, charcoal, and LPG.
Source: oliverheath.com
Case Studies
Biogas generation technology has already proven itself in many ways as a viable sustainable energy alternative. Especially in developing markets where access to a municipal power grid is unreliable, and many people rely on organic fuel for heating and cooking, biogas generation plants are gaining a firm foothold in the energy market. For example, Nepal, which has 80% of its population living outside of the reach of public electricity, has already established itself as a leader in biogas generation development. With help from a government organization called the Biogas Sector Partnership (BSP), and monetary government incentives, more than 210,000 biogas plants have already been installed to provide energy to its citizens. This only represents 11% of BSP's goal of 1.9 million biogas plants. With Nepal as an example, many countries have followed suit.
However, biogas generation is not soley the domain of government organizations in developing countries. Even corporations in developed countries have begun to see the solid financial benefit they stand to gain from biogas generation. The American grocery store Kroger has recently taken up the banner as well. Ralph's and Food 4 Less, Kroger's food divisions, have adopted an initiative to convert more than 55,000 tons of food annually to provide power to the company's 60,000 square meter distribution center. In addition to cutting energy costs, this initiative also aims to cut all costs associated with transportation of waste and emission compensation.
Judging from the willingness of both governmental organizations and private corporations, D.I.Y. Renewables believes there is opportunity in offering the means of the natural gas production directly to the customer.
