Challenges On The Further Development of Anaerobic Digestion in Developing Countries - A Systematic Review

457.
627ACASE STUDY ANALYSES OF WASTE-TO-ENERGY PROJECTS
Challenges on the Further Development of Anaerobic

Digestion in Developing Countries a Systematic Review
KOCH SCHMITZ GUILHERME (2016-28294)
1.Introduction
2.Current Status
Developing countries still face challenges on the provision of

energy services for most part of their population. As a
consequence, the usage of solid fuels is considerable high in
those regions, especially in rural areas. Alongside to the
increases on greenhouse emissions, researches have also directly
associated the use of such fuels with increases on the
susceptibility on the development of several diseases[1]. Further,
proper management of municipal solid waste (MSW) continues
not being a reality on emergent countries, with large amounts of
these materials being dumped at improper areas[2]. Anaerobic
digestion demonstrates great potential for the solution of those
problems, since it is capable to convert organic materials into
biogas, a clean energy solution[4].
3.Potential of Further Development

As demonstrated in Figure 2, the MSW produced in
developing countries is mainly composed by organic
materials, while this accounts for only 28% of the MSW
produced in developed regions[3];
Despite a significant development rate in Asia, the use of

Anaerobic digestion remains limited to the dealing of animal
mature, kitchen waste and human feces[2];
As a consequence of low efficiency in the past and current
projects, both public and private sector do not see such
technology as profitable;
Studies point to the most commons digesters designs in such
regions remaining as: Chinese fixed dome digester (Figure
1a) and the Indian floating drum digester (Figure 1b). Both
technologies are characterized by the lack of mixing,
temperature control and of proper executed removal of settled
inert materials; Tubular digesters have also been widely
applied due to its significant low cost , however it has also
shown short life-time and great requires on land area for large
scale projects[1][2].
Fig. 2 Composition of MSW of high, medium and low-income countries. [3]
Estimations point to the available animal waste and human

excreta, produced in emergent countries, having a total
production capacity of 278 million Nm3 of biogas per year
(energy equivalent of 5818PJ /year)[4];
China shows the greatest prospective on the construction of a
biogas market, with a total production capacity of
approximately 61,2 million Nm3 per year. Moreover, South
America and Africa , with animal waste available for digestion
reaching values over 200 million dry metric tons per year, also
demonstrates great potential for biogas production[4].
Fig. 1 a) Chinese fixed dome digester; b ) Indian floating drum digester;

c)Tubular digester. [1]
I.
MSW Management: as a consequence o the poorly

collection and storage of MSW, the pre-treatment of the
feedstock of anaerobic digestion takes more time, hence
increases operation and maintenance cost;
II.
Economic Scenario: currently most of the economic

policies in developing countries favor the development
of fossil fuels, not allowing the establishment of
renewable energy industries. For instance, China still
faces its cost for power generation via biogas or biomethane being 1.5 greater than power generation trough
coal-fired power plants[1].
Table 1 Biogas Production Potential of several Developing Regions. [4]
Region
Volume (MNm3/year)
Energy Production
(PJ/year)
Africa Total
54,671
1,143
Caribbean
2,495
52
South America
56,200
1,175
Eastern Asia
3,003
63
China
61,817
1,293
Southern Asia
25,522
534
India
48,178
1,007
South-Eastern Asia
26,338
551
Total
278,224
5,818
5.Conclusions
The challenges described will be overcome just with
interventions from the local government. First, it is crucial the
increase of public awareness on sustainable issues, and the
development of skilled work force for the proper construction
and management of future projects. Second, a change on the
economic scenario is mandatory in order to favor renewable
solutions. Finally, improvements on MSW management are
required, since it decreases the cost related to feedstock
processing and also improves the living standard of the local
population.
4.Challenges
III. Shortage on local Expertise: research on energy issues

and education on sustainable development is not
stimulated in emergent countries. As a result, there is a
lack of professionals able to design, construct or even
manage properly biogas production sites. The situation is
aggravated in rural areas, where due to lack of basic
instruction, the public cannot comprehend the
importance of sustainable projects.
References
1.Surendra K, et.al. 2014 Biogas as a sustainable energy source for developing countries: opportunities
and challenges. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 31, 846-859.
2.Vgeli Y., Lohri C. R., Gallardo A., Diener S., Zurbrgg C. 2014. Anaerobic Digestion of Biowaste in
Developing Countries:Practical Information and Case Studies. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science
and Technology (Eawag), Dbendorf, Switzerland.
3.Khatib I. 2011. Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries: Future Challenges and
Possible Opportunities. Book Article Integrated Waste Management Volume II.
4.Global Methane Initiative. Successful Applications of Anaerobic Digestion From Accress the World.
Available from<https://www.globalmethane.org/documents/GMI%20Benefits%20Report.pdf>.Access at
[2016.12.01].

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457.

627ACASE STUDY ANALYSES OF WASTE-TO-ENERGY PROJECTS

Challenges on the Further Development of Anaerobic

Developing countries still face challenges on the provision of

3.Potential of Further Development

Despite a significant development rate in Asia, the use of

Fig. 2 Composition of MSW of high, medium and low-income countries. [3]

Estimations point to the available animal waste and human

Fig. 1 a) Chinese fixed dome digester; b ) Indian floating drum digester;

MSW Management: as a consequence o the poorly

Economic Scenario: currently most of the economic

Table 1 Biogas Production Potential of several Developing Regions. [4]

III. Shortage on local Expertise: research on energy issues

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