|
Biogas
technology research in selected sub-Saharan African
countries – A review
Anthony
Manoni Mshandete1* and Wilson
Parawira2
1Department
of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology,
University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam. Tanzania.
2Institute
of Food Science, Nutrition and Family Sciences, University
of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167. Mt. Pleasant, Harare,
Zimbabwe.
*Corresponding author.
E-mail:
mshandete@amu.udsm.ac.tz,
anthonymshandete@yahoo.co.uk.
Tel: +255 22 2410223. Fax: +255- 22-2410 078.
Accepted 9 December, 2008 |
|
This reviews aims to provide an insight and update of the
state of biogas technology research in some selected
sub-Saharan African countries in peer reviewed literature.
This paper also aims to highlight the sub-Saharan countries’
strengths and weaknesses in biogas research and development
capacity. An attempt is made to pinpoint future research in
critically reviewing the biogas technology research. The
methane-producing potential of various agriculturally
sourced feedstocks has been researched, as has the
advantages of co-digestion to improve carbon-to-nitrogen
ratios and the use of pretreatment to improve the hydrolysis
rates. Some optimisation techniques associated with
anaerobic digestion including basic design considerations of
single or two-stage systems, pretreatment, co-digestion,
environmental conditions within the reactor such as
temperature, pH, buffering capacity have been attempted in
some of the researches in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
However, there appears to be little research in biogas
technology in many sub-Saharan African countries in
internationally peer reviewed literature. Biogas production
from large quantities of agricultural residues, animal
wastes, municipal and industrial wastes (water) appears to
have potential as an alternative renewable energy for many
African countries if relevant and appropriate research is
carried out to adopt the biogas technology to the local
conditions in African countries. African scientists are
urged to carry out research in biogas technology to locally
demonstrate the feasibility, application, and adaptation of
this technology and help improve the quality of energy
supply in their respective countries.
Key words:
Biogas research, renewable energy, anaerobic digestion,
sub-Saharan Africa. |
