African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1126

Full Length Research Paper

Use of effective microorganisms to enhance cost-effective biogas purification at the household level

Selele Minza
  • Selele Minza
  • Department of Environmental Science and Management, School of Environmental Science and Technology (SEST), Ardhi University, P. O. Box 35176, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Mgana M. Shaaban
  • Mgana M. Shaaban
  • Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Technology (SEST), Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Mbuligwe E. Stephen
  • Mbuligwe E. Stephen
  • Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Technology (SEST), Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 23 October 2020
  •  Accepted: 15 September 2021
  •  Published: 30 November 2021

Abstract

This study investigated the use of effective microorganisms (EM) to enhance cost-effective biogas purification at household-level application. It involved experimental setups for biogas purification in two different runs: 4 L activated EM and 1 L dormant EM by bubbling biogas through EM purification units. Biogas composition was analyzed using an industry-standard biogas analyzer. The results indicated that EM has the potential for biogas purification through a biological process, to remove H2S and CO2 by involving photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas palustris) in the presence of light. The raw biogas average composition was 62.2% CH4, 37.4% CO2 and 1359.3 ppm H2S. The 4L activated EM batch solution purified the raw biogas to 80.2% CH4, 19.5% CO2 and 786.1 ppm H2S. The corresponding purification efficiencies are 60% for CO2 and 49% for H2S. Purified biogas could be used by the household to cook for 1.82 h (85%) while raw biogas could cover only 55%. The designed biogas purification system can cost only Tshs 91,010/= and purify about 15,000 L of biogas at EM cost of Tshs 9,100/month.

 

Key words: Biogas composition, photosynthetic bacteria, anaerobic digestion, biochemical processes, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, biological desulphurization.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

Back to Vol. 15 No. 11
Back to articles
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS
SUBMIT MANUSCRIPT
CONFERENCES