DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANT

(Case study: Ruvu ranch,kibaha)

By
JEROME E. JOSEPH (13171051116)
A MINI-PROJECT REPORT
Submitted to the
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING &TECHNOLOGY
In partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the award of the degree
of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
in
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Under the guidance of
MR. A.C GEORGE KINGSLIN
Assistant lecturer

ST JOSEPH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND

TECHNOLOGY
DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
SEPTEMBER 2016

ABSTRACT
Ruvu ranch is one of the big ranches in Tanzania in which cattle are kept and traded.
The waste by-product of these animals can be well utilized by construction of biogas
digesters / biogas plant which converts these waste into useful fuel. The design of
biogas digester involves the design of fixed dome structures, this design is similar to
septic tank, however the design incorporates the ability of biogas to be harnessed and
stored. Ruvu region in Pwani consist of a well situated cattle Ranch, the animal waste
obtained in this area are only used for fertilizer. The project will involve the design of
fixed dome bio-digesters which will create conductive condition for production of
gas/fuel which can be useful in cooking and lighting at community level.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, we express our heartfelt and deep sense of gratitude to our
Chairman Rev.Fr.Dr.J.E.Arulraj, for providing us the necessary facilities for
the completion of our project.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Dr.T.X.A. Ananth, President of
University Council, Mr.IgnatiusAHerman, Director for Education, Vice
Principal (Administration) Mr.John Saburi, Vice Principal (Academics-Degree)
Dr. Prabaharan for their constant support and encouragement.
We are extremely grateful to the Head of the Department Mr. Adauth Kombe,
for his invaluable guidance, motivation, timely and insightful technical
discussions. We are immensely grateful for his constant encouragement, smooth
approach throughout our project period and make this work possible.
I am indebted to my Project Coordinator Mr. Kingslin for his valuable
suggestions and motivation. I am deeply indebted to my Internal Guide Mr.
Kingslin, external guide Mr. Kingslin faculties of Department of Civil
Engineering for extending their warm support, constant encouragement and
ideas they shared with me.
I would be failing in my part if I do not acknowledge my family members
and my friends for their constant encouragement and support.

PROFORMA FOR APPROVAL OF PROJECT PROPOSAL

Proposed Project Work by:
Reg. No.

Name of the student

13171051116
Title of the Project:

Semester

Branch

VI

CIVIL

JEROME E. JOSEPH
DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANT
(Case study:Ruvu ranch)

Subject Area:

DESIGN

Name of the Guide:

MR. A.C. GEORGE KINGSLIN

Designation :
ASSISTANT LECTURER
Address with Phone No.: St. Joseph University College of Engineering & Technology,
Dar Es Salaam, Mobile: 0789051526
Residence:

St. Joseph staff residence, St. Joseph University College of Engineering

& Technology, P O Box : 11007, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

No. of projects & students currently working under the Guide:

30

Signature of the Student

Signature of the Guide

..

Date...............................

Date.............................

For Office Use only:

SYNOPSIS
APPROVED
NOT APPROVED
GUIDE
APPROVED
NOT APPROVED
Comments / Suggestions for reformulation of the Project Work.
Date......................

Signature of HOD ..

BIO-DATA OF THE PROPOSED GUIDE FOR MAIN PROJECT

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name

: A.C. GEORGE KINGSLIN ARACHI

23.06.1967

Date of Birth & Age

: MALE

Sex
Academic Qualification

:M.SC

Official Address

:P.O. BOX 11007 DAR ES SALAAM

Phone No / Fax

: 0789051526

Residential Address

:St. Joseph college of Engineering and Technology,

Po.Box:11007, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Phone/Mobile No

: 0789051526

E-mail ID

: George.kingslin@gmail.com

2. DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT
Designation

: Asst. Lecturer

Field of Specialization

: ground water and water resources

Teaching Experience

:(6 years)

Industrial Experience

(15years)

Particulars of contribution /
Experience in the field of specialization: (15years)
No. of Projects guided

:25

I A.C. GEORGE KINGISLIN do hereby accept to guide MR JEROME E. JOSEPH

(13171051116) student of the degree in B.E Civil engineering programme of St.Joseph
College of Engineering and Technology, Tanzania.
Signature of the Guide
........
(A.C.GEORGE KINGSLIN)

CERTIFICATE OF THE GUIDE

Certified that this project report THE DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANT is the
bonafide work of JEROME E. JOSEPH (087304011), who carried out the
project work under my supervision. This Thesis work is original one and not
submitted earlier for the award of any degree / diploma elsewhere.

SIGNATURE

SIGNATURE

(A. KOMBE )

(A.C. KINGSLIN)

HEAD OFTHE DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL

PROJECT GUIDE
ASSISTANT LECTURER
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL

INTERNAL EXAMINER

EXTERNAL EXAMINER

NAME:

NAME:

SIGNATURE:

SIGNATURE:

DATE :

DATE:

DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE

Certified that this project report DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANT is the bonafide
work of JEROME JOSEPH in partial fulfillment of Six semester degree of
Civil Engineering of St. Joseph college of Engineering and Technology,
Tanzania under the guidance of Mr. A.C KINGSLIN ARACHI. This Thesis
work is original one and not submitted earlier for the award of any degree /
diploma elsewhere.

SIGNATURE OF THE STUDENT WITH DATE

..
(JEROME JOSEPH)

LIST OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER

TITLE

PAGE NO

NO

1.

ABSTRACT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ii

PROFORMA FOR APPROVAL OF PROJECT PROPOSAL

iii

BIO DATA OF THE PROPOSED GUIDE FOR PROJECT WORK

iv

CERTIFICATE OF THE GUIDE

DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATES

vi

LIST OF TABLES

vii

LIST OF FIGURES

viii

LIST OF SYMBOLS

ix

INTRODUCTION

1.2

Project background

1.3

Project statement

1.4

2.

Objective of the study

1.4.1 Main objective

1.4.2 Specific objectives

1.5 Scope of the project

1.6 Significance of the study

1.7 Methodology

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1

Introduction

2.2

Definition of terms used

2.3

Challenges facing biogas design

11

2.4

Factors for a successful digester

13

2.5

For lenses of viability

14

2.6

Biogas systems

19

2.6.1 Fixed dome digester

20

2.6.2 Floating drum design.

20

2.6.3 Tubular design

21

2.6.4 Basis of selecting digesters

23

2.7

Fixed dome digester

24

2.8

Design formula

26

2.9

Benefits of biogas

32

2.10 Waste water treatment in Tanzania ranches

3.

METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN PROCEDURES

33
31

3.1 Methodology

35

3.2 Design procedures

37

3.2.1 Digester sizing

37

3.2.2 Retention time

37

3.2.3 Sizing of gas holders and pits

39

3.2.4 Dimensioning

39

3.2.5 Compensation chamber

45
4.

5.

CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION

REFERENCES

48

51

LIST OF TABLES

TAB.NO

TABLE NAME

PAGE NO

2.1

Comparison of digesters

20

2.2

Comparison of 16m cubic digesters

22

2.3

Design parameters

25

2.4

Design Formulas

28

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG.NO

FIG.NAME

PAGE NO

2.1

Energy consumption

17

2.2

Fixed dome digester

23

2.3

Plant layout

28

2.4

Dome radius

29

2.5

Level of dome

29

3.1

Plant layout

42

3.2

Dome radius and dimensioning

43

3.3

Leveling the dome

43

3.4

Anaerobic digester model

46