Evaluating Anaerobic Digestion Technology in Reducing the Quantity of Solid Waste: Case of Kigali Dumpsite

Abstract

Biodegradable organic matter constitutes a great portion of Municipal solid waste and comprises organic material which can be broken down by bacteria like paper, card, green waste, food waste, miscellaneous items with an organic element and fine materials. This paper mainly evaluated the potential of anaerobic digestion technology in reducing the quantity of solid waste destined to the dumpsite in Kigali city. The paper evaluates the viability of using biodegradable waste meant to the land where the biogas is produced and undertaking its cost & benefit analysis for chemical, physical and biological characteristics of municipal solids waste on anaerobic digestion technology. The quantity of municipal waste generated in Kigali city was used for designing the biodigester required. The paper indicates that the organic waste in Kigali city produces 457 L/kg DM of methane and the overall assessed value of methane was 51,384,375 L with the electricity derived from the methane of 180,873 KWh which is 54% of the daily demand in Kigali city. The volume of the biodigester was found to be 58,065 m3. Based on the energy recovered, revealed that cities will benefit this research for the population demand for the increased electricity.