Plastic Bag Digester (PA Technology)

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Name of technology example:		Type
Plastic Bag Digester		☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Renewable Energy ☐ Alternative Methodology

Description

Small scale bio digesters represent an important technology for rural communities. Family sized systems manage human and animal waste, provide fuel for cooking, and develop fertilizer for agricultural crops. Millions of family sized digesters have been deployed through gloal rural districts. China has approximately 10 million family sized digesters (about 8 million in operation). To date, brick and steel constructed systems are by far the most common. Material cost, availability, and installer expertise limit biodigester deployment. Bag digesters are very portable, low cost, and easy to implement.

Technology for the Application of

☐ Solar	☐ Biomass	☐ Biofuel
☑ Biogas	☐ Wind	☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro	☐ Energy Efficiency
☐ Other: /

Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps

☐ Mechanization	☐ Efficiency of Operation	☑ Processing
☐ Transportation	☐ Controlled Atmosphere	☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting	☐ Preservation
☐ Other: /

Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities

☐ Grinding	☐ Hauling and conveying	☐ Sorting
☐ Seedbed Preparation	☐ Milling	☐ Tearing
☐ Planting	☐ Washing	☐ Mixing
☐ Pumping	☑ Heating	☑ Drying
☐ Irrigation	☐ Cooling	☐ Animal feeding
☑ Fertilizing	☐ Venting	☐ Animal health and Welfare
☐ Pest Management	☑ Lighting	☐ Packing and branding
☐ Cutting	☑ Sanitation
☐ Other: /

Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups

☐ Cereals	☐ Fruits and vegetables	☐ Nuts and berries
☐ Forage	☐ Dairy products	☐ Meat products
☐ Oil Seeds	☐ Roots and Tubers	☐ Eggs
☐ Pulses	☐ Fiber Crops	☐ Forestry
☐ Sugars	☐ Stimulants	☐ Spices
☑ Other: All commodity groups with heating and drying requirements;

Region & Country of
Development

Region

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☑ Europe & Central Asia - Germany, Netherlands
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /

Region & Country of
Current Deployment

Region

☑ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☑ Europe & Central Asia
☑ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /

Region & Country of
Potential Deployment

None

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /

Manufacturers

http://www.ecofys.com

http://sunrise-econergy.en.alibaba.com/product/1179586608-219223848/mini_pvc_plastic_biogas_digester.html

Economics

Plastic bag digesters are a lower cost solution compared to existng locally manufactured steel and cement bio digesters.

Technology Development Level

Pilot projects: Bag biodigester are based on well developed and tested operating principles.

Required Maintenance Technical Level

The technology is basic, it can be maintained through its life cycle with common tools, easily distributed parts, and a universally understood maintenance manual;

Required Infrastructure for Deployment

Low: Technology can be developed with less common tools, low development level supporting technologies and moderately trained personnel; The materials used in this technology are primarily petroleum industry products. The used materials require industrialized manufacturing value chains.

Required Resources during manufacture

Plastics, PVC, steel;

Required Resources during operation

Bio mass;

Deployment
Level

Prototype testing;

Deployment Capability and Potential

The technology can be widely deployed but resources or material supply and distribution chains are required.

Widespread deployment is possible with regional import of raw materials. Local or regional assembly, distribution and implementation are possible. This technology can possibly be deployed in a short time period.

Requirements for Deployment

Bag biodigesters require little additional development for greater deployment. Since they are easy to ship and install they do need a network of regional partners for assembly, marketing, implementation and support. Ecofys, for example, is actively seeking partners for global implementation.

Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security

The technology is energy and service independent, however, it requires supporting technologies. Once implemented, the biodigester helps creates small farm energy autonomy by utilizing farm waste for heating, lighting and fertilizer production.

Environment Impacts (emissions)

Low: no direct emissions but indirect emissions; Small scale biodigester operation is considered to be a zero sum operation. Emissions are related to the manufacture, assembly and distribution of system materials. These are primarily petroleum industry related materials. Leakages, although repairable, are possible, which could create groundwater contamination issues or methane gas emissions.

Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules

This technology primarily conforms with Bio Cybernetic Rules. Its operation is synchronous with typical small farm operation and supports farm family cooking, heating and lighting needs. The technology is operation oriented, provides multiple uses, manages waste streams and provides reciprocal use opportunities. The technology, however, does require materials which are not biological.

Additional information / Comments

No comments.

Internal Reference

Additional Links

https://energypedia.info/wiki/Portal:Biogas

https://energypedia.info/wiki/Fixed-dome_Biogas_Plants#Low-Cost_Polyethylen_Tube_Digester

https://energypedia.info/wiki/File:Low_cost_polyethylene_tube_installation.pdf

http://www.ecofys.com/en/project/ecofys-plastic-bag-digester/

http://www.ecofys.com/files/files/ecofys%20plastic%20bag%20digester%20-%20march%202011.pdf

http://www.ecofys.com/files/files/ecofys%20plastic%20bag%20digetser%20product%20sheet.pdf

http://www.completebiogas.com/B_Plastic.html

http://biogas.wikispaces.com/Plastic+Bag+Digesters