Biogas production vs. dung combustion as household energy in rural Ethiopia

Publication Type
Contribution to conference
Authors
Barfuss I; Gwavuya S; Abele S; Müller J
Year of publication
2011
Published in
Proceedings CD of the CIGR International Symposium on "Sustainable Bioproduction - Water, Energy and Food"
Page (from - to)
1-8
Conference name
CIGR International Symposium on "Sustainable Bioproduction - Water, Energy and Food"
Conference location
Tokyo (Japan)
Conference date
19-23 September 2011
Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the potential of dung as primary and secondary energy source, i.e. direct combustion of dung and combustion of its secondary products biogas or dried digestate, under consideration of its quality as fertilizer. The results of the analysis show the similarity of dung and digestate regarding combustion characteristics. Fertilizer values proved better for digestate. However, calorific value of dung proved much lower than those of biogas. Thus, biogas represents a good alternative energy source with double benefit. Besides its better combustion characteristics compared to dried dung, it also delivers a superior fertilizer.

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