Talking Biogas with Lazarous Chewe

24/05/2023

QUESTION FROM GOERGE VAN ZEDAM:

A 10 Kg gas cylinder how much upgraded biogas can be compressed in?

ANSWER: TALKING BIOGAS WITH LAZAROUS CHEWE

The amount of upgraded biogas that can be compressed in a 10 kg gas cylinder will depend on the pressure at which the gas is compressed and the specific volume of the compressed biogas.

Assuming a standard pressure of 200 bar for compressed biogas and a specific volume of 1/200 m³/kg, we can calculate the amount of biogas that can be stored in a 10 kg gas cylinder as follows:

Volume of biogas in a cylinder = Cylinder weight x Specific volume of compressed biogas x Pressure
= 10 kg x (1/200 m³/kg) x 200 bar
= 1 m³

Therefore, a 10 kg gas cylinder can hold approximately 1 cubic meter of upgraded biogas when compressed at a pressure of 200 bar. However, the actual amount of biogas that can be compressed may vary depending on the specific conditions and requirements of the system.

21/05/2023

BIOGAS, ALTERANTIVE HOUSEHOLD AND COMMERCIAL FUEL

Biogas is potentially a commercial product which can competitively Co-Exist with Liquefied Petroleum Gas. However For the commercialisation of biogas to be achieved it is important to make it portable and compatible for various commercial implication by increasing its energy content. This process requires compression of the biogas to a higher pressure as possible.

Storage of raw gas is nearly an impossibility for commercial application because cylinder becomes heavy, and bulky for higher pressures. This increases the weight of the cylinder hence, affect its portability, and other means of increasing the calorific value of biogas.

Biogas requires to be purified by removing incombustible gases present in biogas. The absent of biogas upgrading process is what have hindered biogas not to be part of the energy mix in Zambia.

Intervention efforts from International cooperating agencies e in the past manly focus has been to facilitating rural agriculture communities with animals to tap into biogas, but this process hasn’t yield positive results as expect due to high cost of installing a biogas plant.
In urban centres where biogas stand a chance to be a preferred energy for cooking, and heating charcoal is still widely used as a preferred energy source for cooking and heating at household level making other alternative renewable energy such a biogas not to have a market share for many people still regard biomass fuel in form of firewood and charcoal to be God given.

Institutions that are mandated to provide technical, and scientific support to product development are not rendering support that the biogas sector requires. TDAU, UNZA, NISIR, and CBU are key players in the development of the biogas sector in Zambia.

I have been privileged to enter institution of learning in a number of countries, and have noticed how Universities, and research institution are working tirelessly developing solution to make biogas a preferred commercial energy.

In Zambia we need to insure our tertiary institution play a strategic role in the development of local knowledge on biogas development, and this calls for research funding. Zambia needs to develop home-grown biogas technical knowledge just like India and China has done where biogas is part of the energy mix.

Starting a biogas energy enterprise is difficulty in Zambia due to absent of skilled labour and institution support. No lending institution currently is willing to finance a biogas project because the sector is considered a high risk areas for investment in spite the potential biogas offers as an alternative energy source.

In my over two decades experience working in the renewable, and rural energy sector I have been privileged to travel to difference countries, and this exposure has given me an understanding to know what works.

Efforts made by international development agencies in the development of the biogas sector through construction of biogas digester is recommendable. Zambia through cooperating partners at least managed to develop a saviour of local biogas digester masonries with skills in building biogas digesters.

However, the challenge has been most of these projects supported by international agencies lack a proper exit strategy. Once funding dry up the whole concept dies. (No continuity).Kenya is one country l admire when it comes to project, and product development. Our colleagues already have achieved biogas bottling and now working on safety, quality and commercialisation of biogas.

Those who have been privileged to visit Kenya will be quick to notice that Kenya is a biomass deficit country hense there is great effort from the local scientific community in helping find solutions to some of the everomental challenges Kenya faces.

In Zambia government is trying to discourage rural households from cutting trees for charcoal burning, yet there is no alternative which households can fall-back on. In all fairness that is a fallacy to logic.

The LPG market is well developed however, we must understand petroleum products price are subjected to international prices fractuetion so is LPG. No politician worthy a name is ready to put his head on a guillotine machine by why of encouraging average Zambians to switch to a fuel whose price is beyond government control. Zambia must start investing in development of the biogas sector now for the benefit of all Zambians in the nearly future.

10/05/2023

BIOGAS FOR ALL

Experience has taught me to understand what works.

02/05/2023

BIOGAS CONTAINARISATION

Period this the way to go! Provide financing to projects that are people centered not tedious processes which at the end of day never benefit the target groups.

CHINA

19/03/2023

19/03/2023

POWERING A HOME WITH BIOGAS

Last week my inbox was buzzing with texts and pastes of a video purposed to be a BBC report. The Crip in question is professionally scripted and edited to make the viewer see what he or she wants to see as opposed to see and hear what he or she needs to understand.

CAN A HOUSEHOLD TOTALLY GO OFF GRID AND DEPEND ON BIOGAS 356DAYS?

Powering a home with biogas is a viable option, but there are important factors to consider before deciding to install such a facility. The energy needs on the premises and security of feedstock must be carefully considered. Animal feedstock, such as chicken and pigs, can be susceptible to disease, which could cause a blackout on the farm due feedstock running out.

It's important to have an alternative feedstock source, such as agricultural waste, which can be reserved while running and avoid total blackout. Municipal waste is also a reliable source since city dwellers generate waste throughout the year.

Gensets are primarily designed as backup systems, and most common gensets on the markets are not designed to run 24/7/52 weeks/365 days.

If one genet is running 24/7, there must be a mechanism where a number of gensets are installed so that in the event one is malfunctioning or needs repair, stand-in gensets must be ignited to maintain the supply of electricity on the premises.

The thumb rule for biogas digester installation is feedstock must be within the vicinity and near to the utility point. Utilizing biogas for activities such as cooking and heating water doesn't necessarily require biogas to undergo the biogas scrubbing process. If you have an LPG water heater, all one will need is to adjust the jets from 1mm to 3 or 5mm.

In Zambia, there are skilled individuals with the capacity to install such a facility as shown in the clip. People need to identify biogas practitioners with a proven record to undertake such a project on their premises and produce gas.

It's important to be aware of misleading information on social media, especially when it comes to technical information. It's best to rely on trained information disseminators for accurate and reliable information.

17/03/2023

13/03/2023

For more information contact: +260 976994735/ +260 975933285 | Email: [email protected]

09/03/2023

RESPECT

Respect for each other's professions is a crucial aspect of any healthy society. It involves acknowledging the hard work, dedication, and expertise that goes into a particular profession and treating those who work in that profession with the respect they deserve. This is especially important when it comes to service providers, who work hard to provide us with various services that make our lives easier.

It is also important to pay the right fees to those who do their work with diligence. Service providers put in a lot of effort and time into providing quality services. They need to be compensated fairly for their hard work and dedication. Underpaying them is not only disrespectful, but it is also demoralising, and can cause them to lose motivation.

As an example, take the case of biogas digester installation. The process of installing a biogas digester is not easy. It requires a lot of expertise, and hard work to ensure that the gas produced is of good quality.

However, it is disheartening to hear that some people approach biogas digester installers and offer them peanuts in return for their services. This is not only disrespectful, but it also shows a lack of appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into the installation process.

When service providers are not paid fairly, it can lead to a lot of demotivation and even resentment towards their work. It can cause them to lose interest in providing quality services and may even lead them to leave their profession altogether.

This, in turn, can have a negative impact on the overall quality of services available in the market.

In conclusion, it is crucial to respect each other's professions and pay the right fees to service providers. This not only shows appreciation for their hard work and dedication but also ensures that they are motivated to continue providing quality services. Let us all make a conscious effort to value the work of service providers and compensate them fairly for their efforts.

09/03/2023

Hello, dear followers!

I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone about the purpose of my page. As you all know, I am passionate about environmental matters, and I use this space not only to discuss these topics but also to market my services, which include biogas digester installation.

Unfortunately, I have noticed that in recent times, some people have been using this forum to simply patronize me or waste my time. While I love engaging with all of you, please remember that I am here to do business, and my time is valuable.

If you are interested in my services, please don't hesitate to state your interest and reach out to me directly. Let's not waste each other's time because we all know that time is money.

Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to continuing our discussions on environmental matters and helping you with your biogas digester needs

29/01/2023

‘’DR KASEBA SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH FRENCH BASED WASTE TO ENERGY FIRM
PRESS RELEASE’’

Lazarous Chewe…

Biogas technology is a crucial tool for mitigating the negative impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment and is becoming increasingly important for local municipalities to invest in and promote.

Biogas digesters are systems that process organic waste, such as food waste and sewage, and convert it into biogas, a clean and renewable source of energy.

By harnessing the power of biogas, local municipalities can play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and generating clean energy for markets, and most importantly reduce dependence on biomass inform of charcoal which now being cited as one of the leading causes of forest degradation in Zambia.

One of the most compelling reasons to invest in biogas digesters is their ability to clean up towns and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.

Biogas digesters can process a variety of organic waste streams, including food waste, agricultural waste, and sewage, which would otherwise release methane and other harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

By processing these waste streams, biogas digesters help to reduce the emissions of these harmful gases, improving air quality and mitigating the impact of climate change.

In addition to reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal, biogas digesters also offer a clean and renewable source of energy for markets.

Biogas can be used to generate electricity, heat, or fuel for vehicles, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.

By investing in biogas technology, local municipalities can help to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable future for their communities.

In conclusion, investing in biogas digester technology is an important step for local municipalities in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of clean and renewable energy sources.

By taking a keen interest in biogas technology, local municipalities can help to clean up towns, reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal, and generate clean energy for restaurants in public markets, while mitigating the impact of climate change.