In the mid 1980s, a high interest in developing and harnessing renewable energy sources in Ghana began [1].
With issues regarding scarcity of petroleum and coal, it threatens supply of fuel throughout the world and also problem of their combustion led to the research in many different corners to get access to the new sources of energy, like renewable energy resources. Solar energy, wind energy, different thermal and hydro sources of energy, biogas are all renewable energy resources. But biogas is distinct from other renewable energies because of its characteristics of using, controlling and collecting organic waste and at the same time producing fertilizer for agriculture purposes [2]. Biogas does not have any geographical limitations nor does it require advance technology for producing energy also t s very simple to produce and apply [2].
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Despite the numerous benefits derived from biogas technology, Ghana is yet to develop a major programme that will promote the dissemination of biogas plant on a large scale. Latest sanitation ranking puts Ghana 7th as the world dirtiest country [3], which puts the country to an alternative way of dealing with these wastes through biogas production. Ghana as a developing country depends heavily on wood fuel as a source of fuel contributing about 60% of the primary energy supply with crude oil and hydro making up the rest [4]. This puts a threat on the forestry resources.
In 1997, the Energy Commission (EC) was established, among other functions, to develop, regulate, and manage RE resources in Ghana. In 2006, the EC developed the Strategic National Energy Plant (SNEP) – a policy document that defined the role of various energy sources, setting target for each within a twenty year span. From SNEP, biomass based energy, apart from the direct use as woodfuel (firewood and charcoal), has been exploited to a very limited extent in Ghana. Woodfuel represent the traditional energy source in Ghana and accounts for 60 percent of total energy used (Figure 1).
Figure1. Energy shares of fuels in Ghana as at 2006 [4]
With Biomass representing a sustainable source of renewable energy, it is characterised by its abundance and offers a secure energy supply. Several organic substances have been used for anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion of biomass is a multiple-stage microbial process, which produces biogas and digestion residues as the final products. Also, Biogas is an energy-rich mixture of primarily methane and carbon dioxide and can be used for energetic purposes. Digestion residues are characterised by high nutrient content and can be efficiently applied for soil fertilization.
About 12,012 tones of Municipal Solid and liquid waste as at 2010 were produced in Sunyani and university of energy and Natural Resources in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana (Table 1).
Table1. Solid waste generation in the sunyani town [4]
Figure2. Sunyani Town Waste Composition [5]
The major problems which show certain key trend are observed as an increase in volume of waste generated by urban residents; change in the characteristics or make-up of waste generated and disposal methods of waste collected. In developing countries like Ghana, the problem is rooted in improper waste management practices, increasing population, inadequate facilities and lack of adequate technology required for waste management.
Problem statement
Deforestation is a major concern in developing countries; most of them depend on charcoal and fuel-wood for fuel supply which requires cutting of forest for domestic usage [6]. Also, due to deforestation it leads to decrease in the fertility of the land by soil erosion. Use of firewood as energy is harmful for the health of the masses due to the smoke arising from them causing air pollution [7]. Apart from causing air pollution, combustion of wood results in the release of poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. These gases accumulate in the atmosphere and deplete the ozone layer, thereby leading to global warming. We therefore need an ecofriendly substitute for energy [8] such as kitchen waste which is an organic material having a high caloric value and nutritive value to microbes.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Generally, the aim of this study is developing the experimental method of biogas production under co-digestion from food waste in biodigester using micro algae as biostabilzer. The result of the study can give contribution to motivate small and large households to converting food waste into biogas.
The specific objectives of this study can be defined as follows:
a) To reduce the indiscriminate cutting of forest for fuel wood supply.
b) To reduce the high consumption rate on electricity.
JUSTIFICATION
The project would help minimize the indiscriminate waste disposal which causes environmental pollution which is also the medium for the outbreak of diseases. Example includes malaria, typhoid.
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA
The study was conducted at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) hostel and its surroundings and it came to notice that the habitants of these places produce much household waste and dispose them indiscriminately.
Also, the vendors around use firewood for cooking which brings about the cutting of forest and also causes environmental pollution which makes them prone to health hazards.
Literature review
History of Anaerobic Digestion
In the early 16th century, biogas was used by the Persians for heating water and also space heating [7]. Later on, several scientific researches were conducted by some scientists such as Jan Baptista Van Helmont, Robert Boyle and Stephen Hale. From their research they concluded that flammable gases emanated from decaying organic matter and also when sediments of streams and lakes are disturbed, it resulted in the evolution of flammable gases.
In 1776, Count Alessandro also demonstrated that there exists a relationship between the amount of decaying organic matter and the amount of flammable gas produced [8]. Sir Humphry Davy, in 1808, came out with the production of methane by anaerobic digestion of cattle manure [9].
The industrial evolution of anaerobic digestions occurred in 1859, with the first digestion plant built by a leper colony in Bombay, India. By 1895,
Methodology
References
[1] Akuffo F.O. Promoting renewable energy research and development in Africa: lessons from
Ghana’s experience. Keynote address of the 3rd international conference on appropriate
technology. Kigali, Rwanda, 2008.
[2] Memon M., Memon K.S., Mirani S., Jamro G.M. 2012 Comparative evaluation of
organic wastes for improving maize growth and NPK Content. Afr. J. Biotechnol. 11:
39: 9343-9349
[3] The Joint Monitoring Programme report (2015), “Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water Update and MDG Assessment,” a collaborative effort between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
[4] Energy Commission (EC). Strategic national energy plan (2006 – 2020) and Ghana energy policy:woodfuels and renewable energy subsector. Main version, Accra, Ghana, 2006.
[5] Waste management is our biggest problem challenge, http://www.modernghana.com. Date retrieved 22/11/16.
[6] Regassa N., Sundaraa R.D., Seboka B.B. 2011. Challenges and opportunities in
municipal solid waste management: The case of Addis Ababa city, central Ethiopia. J.
Human Ecol. 33(3): 179-190.
[7] Fisher, J. R., Iannotti, E. L., & Fulhage, C. D. 1983. Production of methane gas from
combinations of wheat straw and swine manure. Trans. Am. Soc. Agricult. Eng. 26,
546-548
[7] Biomass Pyrolysis, http://www.biogasworks.com. Date retrieved: 22/11/16
[8] Fergusen, T. & Mah, R. (2006). Methanogenic bacteria in Anaerobic digestion of biomass, p49
[9] Cruazon, B. (2007). History of Anaerobic Digestion. http://www.sciepub.com. Retrieved 22/11/2016