Biogas in China: small scale, decentralized anaerobic digestion

Journal Article · · Alternative Sources Energy; (United States)

OSTI ID:5711516

Kaufman, H

Peasants in rural China power much of their residential, agricultural, and light industrial operations with a variety of simple but sophisticated waste-digestion units. With the advent of biogas utilization - 7 million digesters have been set up throughout China since 1970 - dependence on scarce and distant fuels has lessened, agricultural production and sanitary conditions have improved, and income levels have risen. Designated as a biogas research and demonstration station, the village of Xindu has 84 family digesters and 7 community units that serve the 90-family town. The family models produce about 37 CF/day of cooking gas; the communal systems each drive a 12-kW internal combustion generator at the rate of 40 kWhr/1000 CF, providing 90-100% of the lighting and grain-grinding power demands and 40% of the electricity needed to pump irrigation water. The basic design of both digesters consists of an underground dome-covered digesting chamber and a water-pressure air storage tank.

• OSTI ID: 5711516
• Journal Information: Alternative Sources Energy; (United States), Journal Name: Alternative Sources Energy; (United States); ISSN ASEND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ASIA
BIOCONVERSION
BIOREACTORS
CHINA
DESIGN
DIGESTION
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
MUNICIPAL WASTES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES