Biofuels for Africa.

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Biofuels for Africa.

• By George Mwaniki

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Introduction

• Africa is the second largest continent which
  accounts for 22 of the earths land mass.
• It is home to 900million people distributed in
  54 independent countries.
• Most Nation in the continent are classified as
  developing nations.
• Electricity is available to less than 20 of the
  population in many of this nations.

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Introduction Continued
Despite the economic booms in many parts of the
world Africa remains underdeveloped and with
minimal economic growth.
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Introduction Continued
Income per capita 2006
Gross national income (US)
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Introduction Continuation.

• The equator cuts across the continent dividing it
  almost to equal halves, thus solar energy is
  plenty through out the year.
• Access to energy is essential for the reduction
  poverty and promotion of economic growth.
• By investing in the long term energy solutions,
  most African nations would benefit significantly
  in the longer term by avoid the pending economic
  problems developed countries are currently
  facing.
• While a great number of projects are currently
  underway to expand and connect the existing grid
  networks, too many problems exist to make this a
  realistic option for the vast majority of people
  in Africa, especially those who live in rural
  locations.
• Distributed generation using renewable energy
  systems is the only practical solution to meet
  rural energy needs.

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Backgroung

• This project is aimed at exploring various
  options for Biofuels in African, and the
  discussion is provided in the following web
  links.
• http//mtech.facebook.com/group.php?gid7982085278
  
• https//mysite.wsu.edu/personal/gmwaniki/default.a
  sp
• https//mysite.wsu.edu/personal/gmwaniki/default.a
  sp
• From the discussion, agricultural wastes was
  chosen to be the best alternative for biofuel
  production.

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Background.

• The design presented here was proposed by Kelly
  and her group from Montana tech.
• This presentation will be as follows
• A summarize the data and the technical aspect of
  the project.
• challenges of its implementation.
• Community acceptance of the technology.
• Cost analysis.

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The proposed Project

• The aim of the project was to develop an
  alternative fuels to supplement or replace the
  current fuel supply.
• The supplement fuel was to be
• Clean
• Sustainable
• Cost effective
• Culturally acceptable to the communities
• The proposed design involves the conversion of
  agricultural waste into biogas, through
  gasification and later direct combustion.

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Proposed project

• The following aspects were considered in the
  Design of the best technology.
• Existing technologies and their pros and cons
• Waste products for system to be employed
• Environmental impacts of the alternative
• Applicability to rural Africa
• Ease of use
• Reliability
• Operation and maintenance costs

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Current conversion technologies of biomass is
best illustrated by the following figure (adapted
from UNIDO)
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Existing technologies

• Most of the existing technologies are discussed
  in the links.
• Most of the existing technologies are not
  applicable in rural Africa, mainly due to their
  cost and expertise requirement in implementing,
  running them and also maintenance.
• A high breed of gasification and direct
  combustion was picked due to its cost
  effectiveness, easy to maintain and run.
• It is also more acceptible in rural Africa as it
  encompuses some of the techniques already in use
  there, and also due to its small size.

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Alternative technologies looked at

• Alcohol fermentation Requires heavy capital
  investment.
• Liquefaction- The technology is complicated and
  requires trained persons.
• Anaerobic digestion- Technology is complicated
  and so many variables that can go wrong.
• Direct combustion- Easy and currently in use.
• Gasification- Can be complicated but its
  possible to have a simple design.

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Selected Technology
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Produced gas properties

• A comparison of amount of gas produced, with
  increase in biomass. Is presented in the graph
  below.
• Gas production increases with increase in mass of
  the biomass

(Adapted from Biomass energy)
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Quality of gas produced
LHV- low heating value HHV- Higher heating value
(Adapted from Biomass energy)
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Quality of gas produced in

• At a temperature of 550oC the system is expected
  to be at maximum efficiency. (Adapted from
  Biomass energy)

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Design advantage

• Uses readily available renewable resource (
  agricultural waste)
• Minimal waste and waste ashes can be used as
  manure in the farms.
• Low energy and work input
• By product (Charcoal) recycled and used in the
  system.
• Produces clean energy.
• Less smoke encountered in the house holds.

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Design Disadvantages

• Produces carbon dioxide a green house gas, (but
  net production0).
• The agricultural waste input has to be dry.
• System requires cleaning often due to its small
  size.
• Due to it high operating temperature there is
  some injury risks.
• If not well insulated, heat loss will lead to
  high inefficiencies.

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conclusion

• The final proposal is

• Innovative
• Cost effective
• Easy and reliable
• Little waste
• Appropriate for a rural setting.