Biogas Installation Cost In Kenya: The Best Path to Gas Independence

Last Updated on September 6, 2024 by Naomi Nimu

Imagine having a way to produce your own gas energy at home, using organic waste such as cow dung, poultry poop, kitchen scraps, or even plant leftovers. That’s what biogas can do. It turns trash into power.

No more buying market gas, which prices increase now and then.

However, to get started with biogas, you need to invest in equipment and installation. So, let’s examine the cost of biogas installation in Kenya.

Key Takeaways

  • Biogas installation cost in Kenya is 110,000 kshs and it is inclusive of installation, labor, materials, and even cooking equipment
  • Different sizes of biogas plants have different prices.
  • We do a site visit to determine the size of the biogas biodigester that we will install on your home or farm
  • We install a biogas biodigester or plant depending on your gas or energy needs plus the amount of organic waste or animals you have in your home
  • Uses of biogas biodigester include cooking, biofertilizer, good management of organic waste, operating farm machinery, etc

Biogas Installation Cost In Kenya

biogas production in kenya

The cost of installing a biogas biodigester in your home is 100,000 Kenyan Shillings (Kshs), which will cover everything and that is inclusive of installing the system, labor, materials, and even the equipment needed for the gas.

As Homeguide biogas biodigester installers, this is the price we charge to install biogas plants for our customers. As a leading Biogas and Biodigester installation company in Kenya, we ensure that we construct very effective and durable biogas biodigesters for homes.

With this price, be sure that you will get a long-lasting biogas system, unlike plastic biodigesters installed, which last for a short while because they are damaged by the sun’s heat and other elements.

Contact US at HomeGuide Biogas

Call/WhatsaApp: 0714195554

What is Biogas?

Biogas Production In Kenya

Biogas is a renewable and environmentally friendly gas produced through the natural process of anaerobic digestion.

It primarily consists of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, and carbon dioxide (CO2), along with trace amounts of other gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Biogas for Homes

You will get biogas from organic materials such as cow dung, chicken poop, agricultural waste, and even food scraps. Bacteria break down this organic waste in the absence of oxygen, a process called anaerobic digestion. The biogas is a byproduct of the bacteria after it feeds on the waste.

Typical composition of biogas
CompoundFormulaPercentage by volume
MethaneCH
4
50–80
Carbon dioxideCO
2
15–50
NitrogenN
2
0–10
HydrogenH
2
0–1
Hydrogen sulfideH
2S
0–0.5
OxygenO
2
0–2.5
Source:www.kolumbus.fi, 2007[18]

Benefits of Biogas in Homes

Biogas has many benefits for those who want to install it in their homes. It will not only enhance the quality of life as a homeowner but also serve as a permanent and cost-effective source of energy, making it a wise investment.

Provides a Continuous and Reliable Source of Energy

First, a biogas system offers homeowners an uninterrupted and dependable energy source. Unlike traditional gas supplies that require regular purchases, a biogas biodigester continuously produces gas if organic waste is fed to it.

This results in significant long-term financial benefits, as homeowners don’t need to set a substantial portion of their budget for buying gas. It is a one-time investment that pays off in the long run, providing homes with economic stability and energy security.

A Clean Cooking Fuel

Most homeowners install a biogas system so it can supply them with clean cooking fuel. It burns cleanly and efficiently, producing minimal emissions and significantly reducing indoor air pollution compared to traditional solid fuels like firewood or charcoal.

When you cook with biogas, your health will not only be protected but also improved because it cooks cleanly. Clean indoor air will lead to better respiratory health for household members, particularly women and children who are often exposed to harmful fumes while cooking.

Manages Organic Waste in Homes

Biogas systems come with the added advantage of efficiently managing organic waste. Biogas bio digesters feed on organic materials like kitchen leftovers, agricultural remnants, as well as cow dung and chicken excrement.

This will reduce the amount of organic waste deposited in landfills, thereby contributing to good organic waste management in homes. This waste management approach fosters a cleaner and more orderly living environment and promotes sustainable waste disposal practices.

Bio Slurry can be used as a Fertilizer

Another noteworthy advantage of biogas systems is their potential to produce valuable byproducts. Throughout the anaerobic digestion process, along with methane, biogas digesters also generate bio-slurry, an organic material full of nutrients.

Experts have approved and recommended using this bio-slurryas a natural fertilizer. This will benefit your home gardens and farms greatly.

Enriches Soil

This bio-slurry will enrich the soil, reduce the dependency on chemical fertilizers, and enhance crop yields. This will promote eco-friendly farming practices. Top of Form

Gift to Parents who use Firewood

The advantages of implementing a biogas system extend beyond individual homes. In regions where firewood serves as the primary energy source, families present this technology as a gift to their parents or elderly relatives.

Decrease Their Dependence on Depleting Natural Resources

Given the increasing scarcity of firewood and its role in deforestation and air pollution, gifting a biogas biodigester becomes a meaningful and environmentally sustainable gesture.

This not only assists older generations in decreasing their dependence on depleting natural resources but also mitigates their exposure to the bad effects of indoor smoke, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being.

Biogas Digester Installation Process in Kenya

Biogas is a solution to the energy needs of many Kenyans who struggle to access cheap, clean gas.

In order to install biogas systems in Kenya, you need to follow these crucial steps that I have given below;

Gather Materials and Equipment Needed for the Biogas Plant at Home

The first step to installing a home biogas system is gathering all the tools and equipment. They include building blocks, cement, pipes, pressure gauges, gas flow meters, wires, PH meters, to name a few.

These materials are needed so your biogas biodigester can perform as intended. As the best biodigester and biogas Installer Company, HomeGuide installs high-quality materials so your system can last long with no problems.

Installing the Biogas Biodigester

After having the materials and tools ready, you will indicate to your installation team the best place to install the biogas system.

The place should be easily accessible, near your source of organic waste such as kitchen and livestock waste, and should be free of water contamination.

Biogas Biodigester Size

When installing a biogas tank, it is crucial to consider the best appropriate size for you. You need to determine your energy needs. Big biogas systems are suitable for larger families while small biogas plants are suitable for small families.

The big biogas systems are also installed in hotels, hospitals, and companies, as they consume a lot of energy.

Cleaning and Installing Biogas System in Kenya

While installing a biogas plant for the home, we always ensure the place is free of debris and anything that might contaminate it. We remove debris, sticks, etc., on the installation site so as to improve the efficiency of your system plus minimize its maintenance.

Establish Optimal Operating Conditions

In order for a biogas system to operate well, it needs to be maintained at specific temperatures. The temperature inside the digester should ideally be maintained between 30 and 40°C (86 – 104°F).

This is the right temperature for biogas-producing bacteria to function. The moisture level is another operating condition of the methane bacteria that should be observed at all times.

It should be kept at an ideal range of 70% to 80%. Maintaining adequate moisture levels is crucial in sustaining the microbial activity necessary for efficient digestion.

Monitoring the Biogas System

You want to ensure that your home biogas plant functions properly always. To this end, you will be required to monitor it, checking temperature sensors, flow meters, pH meters, and gas flow meters.

Monitoring your biogas plant at home will help you identify problems and address them earlier. Flow meters, temperature sensors, etc., will ensure that your system functions smoothly.

The Potential Risks of Biogas Generation At Home

While generating your own gas at home can save you money on gas expenses, it is important to know the risks involved in installing and operating one so you can prevent accidents.

Biogas Is Flammable

Please note that biogas is flammable. Therefore, perform regular system inspections to detect leaks. Additionally, store your gas or maintain your gas collection system in a well-ventilated area.

Adequate ventilation ensures that there will be no accumulation of gas in case of a leak hence no explosions.

Health Issues

Do not inhale or expose yourself to biogas for a long period of time since it is harmful. It will lead to health issues such as asthma, and respiratory diseases, according to this study.

Ensure the place that you are working on is properly ventilated to avoid breathing the various gasses of biogas.

Pollution of Soil and Water Sources

Another concern involves handling the slurry generated by the biogas biodigester. Mishandling the slurry may pollute clean water sources. Proper disposal of the slurry well is crucial to prevent contaminating the environment and safeguarding water quality.

Tips for Installing Biogas in Kenya

Install Gas Detectors or Sensors

Start by installing temperature sensors and gas detectors. Safety is important, so these tools will monitor your biogas plant at home for leaks and prevent gas accumulation. Their main job is to keep both the environment and the people safe.

Outdoor, Sunny Area

When installing a biogas bio digester, select a suitable location. It should be outdoors, in an area that receives sun. Sun will provide warmth which is needed for methane production.

The climate in Kenya, with its abundant sunshine, makes it an ideal location for biogas systems.

A Level Surface

Make sure the place where you will install the biogas plant is flat and debris-free. A flat surface will provide a stable place to place biogas structures. It also makes the gas move smoothly and lowers the chance of it leaking.

Training and Education

Ensure you train the people that you will install the biogas system so they can operate and maintain it well. When the people in charge know what they’re doing, they can find and solve problems, improving the system.

Maintenance Schedule

You should dedicate time to maintaining the biogas system. A well-maintained system will produce gas efficiently and run for a long time.

Quality Materials and Equipment

Use high-quality materials and equipment to build the digester tank, pipes, and other components. Quality materials ensure the system will last long and produce gas efficiently

Various Sizes of Biogas Biodigesters in Kenya

In Kenya, biogas digesters are built in a range of sizes, from small-scale biogas digesters for homes to industrial biogas digesters for schools, commercial buildings, hotels, and hospitals.

The size of the installation you choose will depend on your needs and the number of animals or waste you have.

FAQs about Biogas

Can Biogas Be Used For Cooking?

Yes, biogas can be used for cooking. This renewable and environmentally friendly gas is used in people’s homes, hotels, hospitals, industrial places, etc.

Anaerobic bacteria make the gas by digesting organic waste such as cow dung, chicken poo, food waste, farm residues, etc.

Burns Cleanly

It is a clean-burning alternative to wood, charcoal, or fossil fuels. We install biogas stoves for our customers, which use this gas for cooking. When installed in many homes, it will reduce deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, making it ideal for rural areas of developing countries.

Are there Biogas Installation Companies in Kenya?

In Kenya, several biogas installation companies, including the HomeGuide Biogas Installers which is US, install biogas bio digesters in people’s homes, hotels, and commercial buildings, just to name a few.

As the leading biogas and biodigester installer, we boast extensive experience and expertise in the installation of biogas systems in Kenya.

We use high-quality materials when installing the system so it can last a long time and work efficiently. HomeGuide Biogas Installer exemplifies the industry’s dedication to promoting renewable energy solutions, reducing waste, and fostering a cleaner, more environmentally friendly future in Kenya.

References

Appels, Lise; Baeyens, Jan; Degrève, Jan; Dewil, Raf (2008).“Principles and potential of the anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge”. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science.34(6): 755–781

Obrecht, Matevz; Denac, Matjaz (2011).“Biogas – a sustainable energy source: new measures and possibilities for SLovenia”(PDF).Journal of Energy Technology(5): 11–24.

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