Browsing by Author "Parawira, Wilson"
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Item Biogas Technology Research in Selected Sub-Saharan African Countries–A review(2009) Mshandete, Anthony M.; Parawira, WilsonThis reviews aims to provide an insight and update of the state of biogas technology research in some selected sub-Saharan African countries in peer reviewed literature. This paper also aims to highlight the sub-Saharan countries’ strengths and weaknesses in biogas research and development capacity. An attempt is made to pinpoint future research in critically reviewing the biogas technology research. The methane-producing potential of various agriculturally sourced feedstocks has been researched, as has the advantages of co-digestion to improve carbon-to-nitrogen ratios and the use of pretreatment to improve the hydrolysis rates. Some optimisation techniques associated with anaerobic digestion including basic design considerations of single or two-stage systems, pretreatment, co-digestion, environmental conditions within the reactor such as temperature, pH, buffering capacity have been attempted in some of the researches in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. However, there appears to be little research in biogas technology in many sub-Saharan African countries in internationally peer reviewed literature. Biogas production from large quantities of agricultural residues, animal wastes, municipal and industrial wastes (water) appears to have potential as an alternative renewable energy for many African countries if relevant and appropriate research is carried out to adopt the biogas technology to the local conditions in African countries. African scientists are urged to carry out research in biogas technology to locally demonstrate the feasibility, application, and adaptation of this technology and help improve the quality of energy supply in their respective countries.Item Biogas: SustaInable alternative renewable energy of today and the future in Arica(2010) Mshandete, Anthony M.; Parawira, WilsonIn Africa organic biomass wastes represent an abundant underutilized bioresource, which has considerable potential as a source of renewable bioenergy, but currently constitute serious environmental pollution problems. The hugest fraction of the waste is biodegradable and amenable to anaerobic digestion. Successful exploration and adoption of biogas technology within the African continent context could bioconvert the vast organic wastes generated into biogas, an alternative energy source that is renewable, economically feasible and sustainable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the potential of biogas as a sustainable alternative renewable energy of today and the future in Africa. This article highlights on contemporary status of energy production and consumption patterns across the globe. It also elaborates Africa's energy picture both immediate and in the future which currently relies heavily on biomass. Moreover, the paper summarizes briefly biogas process and biogas technology as a mature technology and complete system in itself. This paper provides comprehensive extensive detailed information about the diverse organic biomass, which is abundant allover Africa and their potential biogas yield. In Africa, animal manure is not the only viable biogas digester feedstock, but there are other substrates also, which have been shown to have a better biogas potential than animal manure. Finally, strategies to ensure pilot to full-scale potential application of biogas technology are explained. Also the areas where particular research and more attention are required in the near future are identified. It was concluded from this study that waste to biogas conversion through anaerobic digestion is feasible in Africa, when approached innovatively and responsibly. This energy revolution could consequently result in a major economic impact in Africa continent.