Understanding the diffusion of domestic biogas technologies. Systematic conceptualisation of existing evidence from developing and emerging countries

Abstract

Accelerating the diffusion of domestic biogas is considered to be a promising option for reaching the goal of universal access to energy by 2030, particularly for the provision of cooking energy for rural populations in developing countries. The aim of this study is to develop a systematic account of the factors that influence the diffusion of domestic biogas technologies. To achieve this objective, a three step analysis approach is applied. In the first step, a conceptual model is built based on insights from scholars that have been studying the diffusion of energy innovations in rural contexts. In the next step, a qualitative content analysis of scientific literature is undertaken to test and refine the categories proposed by the conceptual model and to systematically organise the empirical evidence of the factors that influence the diffusion of domestic biogas in developing and emerging countries. The systemised evidence is used to identify the components and interactions between the household configurations and socio--economic context that determine both the adoption process at household level and the overall technology diffusion. Finally, in the last step, we reflect on the implications of the resultant systematic conceptualisation regarding the purpose and design of programmes promoting the dissemination of domestic biogas technologies. 1 Some examples of early designs and applications include the patented design and its commercialisation by Mr Lo Guo--Rui in the 1930s in China [2], first installations of early designs under real conditions in Indian rural households during the 1950s [3] and the demonstration of the technology at a school in 1955 in Kathmandu, Nepal [4].

Simulation of a biogas cleaning process using different amines

“…These results agree with those presented in [23,34]. Taking into account the high percentage of CH 4 obtained with the amine MEA, the CO 2 loads in the rich and lean amine streams, and the lower presence of H 2 O in the sweet gas obtained, we decided to dehydrate the obtained gas with TEG. The goal was to obtain a drier landfill gas that would meet the different quality restrictions for use [11], such as a CH 4 concentration greater than 90 %, a total concentration of gases (e.g., .…”

“…Each deacidification process was carried out for the conditions of biogas generated in the landfill "El Carrasco" in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The results showed that the use of amines for biogas cleaning produces a significant enrichment of the landfill biogas, obtaining percentages of CH 4 of up to 90 % from a biogas with 57.3 % CH 4 . Likewise, as this enrichment is obtained, mainly at the expense of CO 2 removal, these processes may be suitable for the use of renewable sources of energy with lower emission rates of greenhouse gases.…”

“…Biogas generated by the anaerobic decomposition of organic substances present in municipal solid waste can be a source of energy, especially in regions or countries where economic growth leads to an increase in the production of solid or organic waste from industrial and agricultural activities [3][4][5][6][7][8]. A variety of models can be used to estimate the generation of biogas with different degrees of certainty, depending on the composition of the matter disposed in the landfill [9,10].…”

“…Adicionalmente, se simuló el proceso de purificación del biogás utilizando el software ProMax; el objetivo de este proceso es extraer la humedad del biogás, para lo cual se utilizaron tres aminas diferentes (MDEA, MEA y DEA) y un proceso posterior de deshidratación con glicol. Los resultados mostraron que la purificación con amina MEA logró producir el mayor incremento en la concentración de CH 4 (90.37 %) en el biogás generado en el vertedero. Además, la deshidratación con glicol fue un proceso eficiente para obtener gas con un alto porcentaje de metano (91.47 %) y un bajo porcentaje de agua (1.27 %); estos resultados sugieren que el biometano se podría usar en procesos industriales convencionales y en generación de energía.…”

What Could China Give to and Take from Other Countries in Terms of the Development of the Biogas Industry?

“…China's government subsidy is reconsidered in this work, resulting in the recommendation that subsidy should be based on products (i.e., output-oriented) instead of only input subsidy for construction. The policy could focus on the revival of abandoned biogas plants as well.Sustainability 2020, 12, 1490 2 of 21 effectively and widely implemented in countries where governments and institutions are involved in the subsidy, planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of biogas plants [7,8]. A number of countries in Asia and Africa have launched massive campaigns to popularize biogas technology via government support and international aid (Table 1) [9,10].…”