Biogas Production Essay

1. Introduction

Developing countries are characterized by rapid industrialization and a high population growth. As a result, the amount of generated organic wastes has increased. With the predominant methods of waste disposal, incineration and landfilling, there are problems associated. Incinerators produce flue gases containing bioaerosols, which cause environmental pollution. Though the use of landfills has been termed as efficient and to some extent environmentally friendly, most developing countries lack sufficient landfill capacities to handle the generated waste effectively. For example, according to the research conducted by Gautam, Baral and Herat (2009), when Gorkana, the largest landfill in Nepal got filled up, the waste management authorities started dumping wastes along the banks of River Bagmati. Conversion of organic wastes to biogas through anaerobic digestion offers the best solution to organic waste management (Zhang et al. 2014). Similar trend is seen in Malaysia where the landfills are almost reaching their life span due to improper management (Jereme 2013). This technology does not only provide disposal solution but also acts as an alternative to the existing sources of energy thus boosting the overall available energy for economic activities (Zhang et al. 2014).

The project investigates the health, environmental, cultural and economic impacts of anaerobic digestion in developing countries. The paper presents an overview of biogas production, biogas composition, biogas applications and finally the health, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of biogas in developing countries.

2. Background information

Biogas is a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and Methane gas (CH4), which is produced of organic waste...

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...echnology does not only offer a solution to waste management but also acts as a substitute source of energy. Due to increased expenses on conventional biofuels, the need to reduce pollution and the ease of handling and disposing of organic wastes, biogas technology is widely employed nowadays.

Biogas technology has more positive impacts than negative ones in developing countries. It has reduced air pollution and improved hygienic conditions of developing countries. It has reduced environmental pollution by reducing the amount of carbon and its compounds in the atmosphere. Young girls have been empowered in society and education has been promoted. The technology has saved on costs by offering an alternative means of waste disposal and as a cheap source of energy. Finally, biogas technology has boosted agriculture by offering as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.