This document provides details on the construction of a family-sized biodigester in Lagos, Nigeria. It discusses the rationale for developing a biodigester as a cheaper and more accessible form of renewable energy production. Details are given on the biodigester design and components, estimated costs of $162.5 to fabricate a 3m x 3.5m biodigester, and how it can produce biogas using kitchen waste to provide cooking fuel as an alternative to kerosene or LPG gas. The conclusion compares the costs of using a biodigester versus purchasing other fuels for cooking.

1. Construction of a Family sized Biodigester
At
By: Engr. Titilope Fadipe
University of Twente
Twente Centre for Studies in Technology and Sustainable Development (CSTM)
Institute for Innovation and Governance Studies (IGS)
Enschede, The Netherlands

2. BIO
• First degree in Chemical Engineering and Masters in Project Magt
• Principal Chemical Engineer with Lagos State Ministry of the Environment
• Executive Engineer with Lagos State Physical Planning & Urban
Development
• Head, Marketing Luxem Energy & Logistic
• Assistant quality Control Officer with Friesland Foods (Nigeria)
• Honorary Fellow, Institute of Carbon Account & Traders, UK
• Fellow, Leadership on Environmental Sustainability and Development, UK
• Certified Engineer by Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria
• Coporate Member, Association of Professional Women Engineer
• Coporate Member, Nigeria Society Engineers
• Coporate Member, Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineer
• Member, International Association of Impact Asessment (IAIA)

3. Rationale
• As a chemical Engineer with Masters in Project
Management. My motivation for developing a
biodigester was borne out of my experiences due to
my direct involvement during and in the rendering of
my professional technical expertise and service to
the Lagos State Government’s (LASG) Technical
Committee on the establishment of Waste-To-
Wealth facilities in Lagos State.

4. -Cont’d-
• While these experiences are vast and varied, the
recurring problem of the inability of the proponents of
specific OEM’s waste-to-energy (WTE) conversion
technologies being proposed to the technical committee
to get the projects funded, provided an opportunity for
me to think there will be more practical, less capital
intensive and proven waste-conversion technology and
approach for a waste electricity production facility. Hence
wanting to develop something very cheap, accessible
and available to everyone Looking for a DIY Renewable
Energy

5. Map of Lagos

6. Lagos State
• Although Lagos state is the smallest state in Nigeria,
with an area of 356,861 hectares of which 75,755
hectares are wetlands, yet it has the highest population,
which is over five per cent of the national estimate.
• As at 2006, the population of Lagos State was 17.5
million, (based on the parallel count conducted by the
state during the National Census) with a growth rate of
3.2%, the state today has a population of over 21 Million.
• With 15,000 tonnes of waste generated per day

7. Lagos Waste Stream
• Papers - 10%
• Glass- 5%
• Plastics- 15%
• Metals- 5%
• Textile- 4%
• Fines- 8%
• Putrescible- 8%
• Vegetables - 45%

8. Percentage distribution of household by type of fuel for cooking in
Nigeria

9. Percentage distribution of household by type of fuel for cooking in
Lagos/Abuja

10. Biodigester
• Biodigester is fabricated with a plastic tank, pipes and
appliances to decompose organic waste, kitchen waste
and produce biogas-to supplement conventional fuel
sources and bio slurry to apply as organic manure in the
farms or vegetable gardens. Biogas is a cooking fuel that
serves as alternative to firewood, charcoal and
kerosene. It is a system that is clean, easy to use,
save you money and improve your home.

11. COMPONENTS OF A BIODIGESTER DEVELOPMENT AND
PRODUCTION.
• Inlet (Mixing Funnel) (kitchen waste/food waste)
• Inlet Pipe
• Digester
• Gas Holder (dome)
• Outlet (Displacement Chamber) and overflow opening
• Main Gas Pipe and Turret
• Main Gas Valve
• Pressure Gauge
• Gas Tap
• Gas Stove with rubber hose pipe
• Slurry Collector

12. Cost of Fabricating a 3mby3.5m Biodigester
S/N Parts Prices ($)
1 Supertex Tank 88.3
2. Pipes 11.8
3. Pressure Valves 9.0
4 Gas Valve 9.0
5 Hose 15.0
6 Gas Stove 29.4
7. Total Cost 162.5

13. Schematic of a Biodigester

14. Research
Biodigester1

15. Biodigester2

17. Other sources....

18. -Cont’d-

19. Testing Customers value proposition and Identifying
Market Opportunity
• Biodigester Survey
• General Report - Biodigester Survey
• biodigester

20. Conclusion
• The cost of owning a biodigester is $162.5 while the cost
of buying 50litres kerosene per month is $35.3
@0.71/litre and $423.5/yr. The cost of filling a 25kg LPG
gas cylinder is between $17.7-$20.6.
• A 3m by 3.5M tank can produce 18MJ of energy using
4kg of kitchen waste
• Conclusively, owning a biodigester is more about
comparative cost analysis and comparative benefits (A
Cheap, Clean and readily available means of energy)

21. -The End-

22. Reference
• http://diy-renewables.wix.com/biodigester
• http://www.lawma.gov.ng
• http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng
• Salisu Isihak, Uduak Akpan, Monsuru Adeleye, (2012)
"Interventions for mitigating indoor-air pollution in
Nigeria: a cost-benefit analysis", International Journal of
Energy Sector Management, Vol. 6 Iss: 3, pp.417 – 429
• ENABLING URBAN POOR LIVELIHOOD POLICY
MAKING: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ENERGY
SERVICES Country case study by Friends of the
Environment, 2005