ACTIVITY 2

Amores, Lance
Labo, Aron
Castro, Sherwin
 Optimizing Small Biogas
Reactors for Fuel Production in
Remote Areas
RESEARCH PROBLEM
The production of fuel in rural areas is often characterized by both high costs and
a slow process, posing challenges to economic viability and efficiency.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. How can digester mixing efficiency be improved using low-cost materials
and designs suitable for remote areas?

3. Which affordable and easy-to-find materials can be used in building

reactors to ensure they last long time?
OUTLINE
Thesis Statement: An IBC-based biogas digester is a low-cost and durable solution for rural areas
to produce renewable energy and organic fertilizer from organic waste.
I. Introduction: Background and stats. on energy and fertilizer needs and challenges in rural areas.
Lead to thesis.
II. Point #1: What: The IBC-based biogas digester-what & how?
A. Components
B. Design and construction
1. Materials and tools
2. Dimensions and specifications
C. Operation and maintenance
1. Feeding frequency and ratio
2. Biogas production and quality
3. Digestate management and utilization
OUTLINE
III. Point #2: Why: The benefits of the IBC-based biogas digester-why & for whom?

A. Environmental benefits

1. Waste reduction and recycling (Kumar et al., 2014)

2. Greenhouse gas mitigation (Bond & Templeton, 2011)

3. Soil and water conservation (Rajendran et al., 2012)

B. Economic benefits

1. Energy savings and income (Mwirigi et al., 2014)

2. Fertilizer savings and income (Makkar et al., 2014)

3. Job creation and empowerment (Surendra et al., 2014)

C. Social benefits

1. Health and hygiene improvement (Mang et al., 2018)

2. Education and awareness raising (Rupf et al., 2015)

3. Community and culture development (Mwakaje, 2008)

OUTLINE
IV. Point #3: How: The challenges and opportunities of the IBC-based biogas digester-how & where?

A. Technical challenges

1. Availability and quality of feedstock (Chen et al., 2010)

2. Climate and site conditions (Kafle & Kim, 2013)

3. Performance and reliability (Rajagopal et al., 2013)

B. Institutional challenges

1. Policy and regulation (Rajendran et al., 2014)

2. Financing and subsidy (Mwakaje, 2008)

3. Extension and training (Rupf et al., 2015)

C. Market opportunities

1. Demand and supply of biogas and fertilizer (Mwirigi et al., 2014)

2. Value chain and distribution (Surendra et al., 2014)

3. Innovation and scaling up (Bond & Templeton, 2011)

V. Conclusions.