1. Closed-Loop Biodigesters on Small-Scale Farms in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review
- Author
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Warde Antonieta da Fonseca-Zang, Isha Kulkarni, Joachim Werner Zang, Ilan Adler, Priti Parikh, Wilson Mozena Leandro, and Luiza C. Campos
- Subjects
Matching (statistics) ,Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes ,Process (engineering) ,business.industry ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Resource efficiency ,Community ownership ,small-scale rural farming ,Hydraulic engineering ,Aquatic Science ,Environmental economics ,Biochemistry ,waste-water-energy-food nexus ,Biogas ,Agriculture ,organic farming ,closed-loop systems ,Scale (social sciences) ,Sustainability ,anaerobic biodigesters ,business ,TC1-978 ,TD201-500 ,Water Science and Technology - Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) systems are prominent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), although their implementation within organic farms to enhance resource efficiency and “close the loop” has been limited. This paper thus reviewed existing literature on the potential of AD technologies as part of closed-loop rural family farming communities in LMICs. Data from eleven existing case studies matching this criterion was then collated to understand practical considerations of implementing and maintaining viable AD systems for small farmers. The case studies analyzed indicate that most, if not all, of the biogas produced in the AD process is used for household purposes such as cooking, lighting and heating. The AD systems are either based on the fixed biogas dome or the floating drum design, although the tubular flexible balloon model is mentioned as a low-cost alternative. Future research opportunities in this topic include studying the applicability of recommendations offered across different geographies, consideration of long-term sustainability and impact of biodigester technology, and sociocultural factors such as community ownership and indigenous practices.
- Published
- 2021