Perspectives and Challenges of Biogas Technology in Zambia, evidence from Western Zambia

Ernest Kwabena Allotey, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

An important technology which aids environmental improvement through organic waste management and at the same instance produces both biogas for energy utilization and fertilizer for enhancing agricultural productivity is the anaerobic digestion process (AD). In many developing countries, the spread of the use of biogas plants is evident and hence the associated technical and operational challenges with their use are increasing. This study, therefore, puts into perspective the challenges (technical and operational) with the technology at the level of small-holder biogas plant users (n = 20) in the western province of Zambia. In March - May 2020, a field survey was conducted on biogas plant users in western province of Zambia. Data collection methods employed in the survey included personal interviews based on a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that on the average the farmers own 30 cattle per household which assures enough cattle manure to supply feedstock for biogas production. Computations show that Zambia has a theoretical biogas potential of 57,874 TJyr-1 from animal dung, which is more than sufficient to supply the energy needs of the country. The concept of problem analysis was employed to identify and analyze the different challenges encountered by the biogas plants (BGP) users in the study. Per the survey, 75% of the population of biogas plants (BGPs) users in the western province of Zambia have encountered some challenge with the technology; the most frequent is leakage in reactor which can impede the proper functioning of the BGPs. Other challenges identified by the respondents include but not limited to malfunction of biogas cookers, breakdown of AD process, leakage of feedstock (oversized BGPs), solid digestate floating in tanks and several other challenges as discussed in the text. BGPs users in western province of Zambia therefore, request for properly trained and dedicated builders (masons) with the technical know-how to solve problems encountered with BGPs with swift.

Keywords

Anaerobic digestion, organic waste, animal dung, small-scale biogas plants, technical and operational challenges, problem analysis

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 17. 8. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Jana Mazancová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / International Development and Agricultural Economics