Abstract

In this paper, the overall potential of biogas and biogas manure from the selected fruit wastes in the city of Addis Ababa was estimated (quantified). The prediction is based on the characterization and biogas yield results in a related study, using structured questionnaire and checklists during field survey. This study has shown a survey of the major sources of the fruit wastes and compiled the number of registered service providers in this particular sector by category. Consequently, this study has shown that the wasted biogas potential of the city from the selected 164.51 tons of daily fruit wastes alone was 20896 m³ per day. This wasted energy material is equivalent to 9000 L of diesel fuel that currently would cost 9389 US dollars. Further, soil nutrients that could be obtained from use of anaerobic digestion of the selected fruit wastes are 366 kg/day of total phosphorus, 798 kg/day of total nitrogen and 565 kg/day of potassium, which are also lost in vain. Therefore, the study shows the importance of proper organic waste management for the recovery of clean energy and nutrients, while at the same time avoiding expenses to buy fossil fuel as source of energy and reduce the associated stress on our environment and more.

Key words: Biogas potential, fruit waste, quantification, prediction, biogas manure.