Waste Management through Bio-gas program

A case study in Cambodia

Dr. Touch Visalsok Royal University of Agriculture

Introduction
Many Cambodian people are economically or geographically inaccessible to electricity or fossil fuels for cooking. Firewood is extensively used as a major source of energy, leading to deforestation. The current population growth, the urbanization of the country as well as its industrialization has resulted in a growing amount of solid wastes.

Introduction (Cont)
Biogas presents to be one of the best solutions. Its use provides ecological and economical advantages. The Government has established a National Biogas Program (NBP) to promote this technology to rural communities.

Objectives of the case study

To understand the technological aspects of biogas applications employed by farmers To analyze the economics of biogas applications To identify key factors affecting biogas applications

Study Methodology
NPB
Interviewed

Technology
Multi-cluster sampling

Synthesis

Farmers

Interviewed

Applicability

Site Selection
Takaev

Sampling size and methods

District Slar Samrong Roveang Chiengkoung Sreronong Tramkok Tropeangkhangcheng Odomsoriya Batty Trang Dong Sangrae Khvav Total Commune A rong Kagngeang Krangtnong Toal Tamove Tropuangvihea Brochom Prey mok Peakbong oung Chong ang Kadal Prey chongreak Sdeyron Village Sample Size 9 7 7 6 5 6 4 7 8 6 3 3 3 74

Types of bio-gas available in Cambodia

Concrete
Chinese model Indian model

Plastic

Bio-gas applied by NBP

Indian style Different digester sizes
4 m3 6 m3 8 m3 10 m3 15 m3

Biogas Installation Processes

Bio-gas experts
Quality Control Train

Workers
dy bs i Su

NBP
-f ro M ic in an ce

Install

Farmers

Ratios of manure and water loaded to the digester at first time

Digester Size (m3) 4 6 8 10 15 Manure Concentration Water Volume (Kg) (L) 1500 1500 2300 3000 3800 6000 2300 3000 3800 6000

Ratios of manure and water daily loaded to the digester

Digester Size (m3) 4 6 8 10 15 Manure Concentration Water Volume (Kg) (L) 20-40 20-40 40-60 60-80 80-100 120-150 40-60 60-80 80-100 120-150

Types of digesters used in the studied areas

Digester Size (m3) 4 6 8 Total

Number of respondents 42 30 2 74

Percentage 56.75 40.54 2.7 100

Number of animals owned by the interviewed households

Number of cattle # respondents Percent Number of pigs # respondents Percent

2.00 34 56 7 8 >9 Total

8 39 18 7 2 74

10.8 52.7 24.3 9.4 2.7 100

0 12 34 56 >9 Total

49 7 11 2 5 74

66.2 9.4 14.8 2.7 6.7 100

Reasons for using bio-gas

Percentage of respondents (%)

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

66.21

33.78

Save time

Convenience

Duration of energy consumption

Digester Size (m3) 4 6 8 10 15 Stove (hour) 3.5-4 5.5-6 7.5-8 9.5-10 14-15 Lamp (hour) 8-10 12-15 16-20 21-25 28-32

Use of bio-gas
Cooking Lighting

Sufficiency of bio-gas for daily energy consumption

90.5

Respondents (per cent)

100 80 60 40 20 0

9.45

Sufficient

Insufficient

A comparison of total expenses on biogas construction between NPB standard cost and cost estimated from the studied households
Digester Size (m3) Standard Costs of NPB (US$) Cost estimated from the studied households (US$) Cost subsidized by NBP (US$) Costs covered by each household (US$)

4 6 8 10 15

320 375 430 490 755

383.3 392.7 600 -

100 100 100 100 100

283.3 292.7 500 -

A comparison of expense on firewood and biogas (per month)

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 14.9

Expense ($)

1.59 Firewood 4m3

1.63 6m3 Digester size

2.5

8m3

Perspectives of the farmers toward environmental impacts of Biogas applications

Most of the farmers felt that the environments surrounding their houses were significantly improved if compared with the times when they used firewood and charcoal.

Ability of the farmers to maintain and fix up the bio-gas system

77 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Yes No 23

Respondents (per cent)

Factors affecting bio-gas applications

The cost for installation of biogas digester is still so high that many poor farmers could not afford to pay. High input for animal manure (4-5 cows) Unfavorable odor and smell of the gas Maintenance of the system

Conclusion
Waste management though bio-gas system appears to be an appropriate alternative. Two important advantages:
Environmental improvement Economic benefits

Recommendations
Identifying methods for maximizing bio-gas production Research on methods for reducing unfavorable smell and odor Introducing the use of municipal waste for bio-gas production