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The size of the bioreactor is 3000m³ designed to capture 1,800m³ of methane per day and
generating about 1MW of electricity for power starved poor communities and with emission reduction of
about 0.2MT of CO2 per year.
In addition, the plant produces 1,500 litres of organic fertiliser per day. The predominantly poor
families benefit from the energy because it constitutes a cleaner alternative to other commonly used
energy sources. At significantly lower cost than currently available energy sources, it reduces
indoor air pollution and associated health hazards in poor communities. The bio-fertiliser replaces
chemical fertiliser and results in more efficient fertilization and less loss of nutrients for
low-income farmers and less non-point source water pollution. Chemical fertilizers pollute surface
water sources with resultant toxic effects on human and aquatic life.
The biogas plant generates several positive environmental, economic and social impacts. The
innovation abates water pollution and mitigates greenhouse gas emission which is critical because of
its human health impacts, impact on communities, climate, agriculture, portable water supplies and
the ecology of aquatic life that are crucial sources of food which poses threats to human
existence.
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Reduction in pollution of surface and groundwater sources leading to improved ecosystem and human
health especially the urban poor.
There is no waste treatment facility for abattoirs in Nigeria. Abattoir waste dump pollute
groundwater sources. In addition, the wastewater from abattoirs is discharged directly into nearby
river bodies with severe ecosystem health. Odour from the wastes also interferes with the host
communities. The zero emission biogas technology treats the wastewater with the sludge used as
organic fertilizer. Hence, no waste would be discharged into the environment. This result is measured
in improved human and ecosystem health using epidemiological dose indicators and water quality
parameters.
The product of anaerobic digestion from cassava waste is a mixed gas called biogas which composed of
methane and carbon-dioxide. Reducing methane emissions has many important health, energy, safety,
economic and environmental benefits. Thus, the collection and utilization of methane provides a
valuable, clean-burning energy source that improves quality of life in local communities, generates
revenue and improves living
standards.
The biogas would be used as low cost, safe and reliable sustainable green energy. Unlike kerosene
lamps, which are costly, inefficient, poor quality, often hazardous and the highest cause of infant
mortality in Africa. The utilization of biogas for power leads to improved human health and decreased
infant mortality. This impact is measured by the number of household with access to the improved
energy source.
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The biogas plant application has proven to provide lasting, relatively cheap and environmentally
sound and green eco-solution to organic waste management challenge in developing economies. Hence,
there is enormous potential for growth and replication across poor communities in developing
economies since environmental pollution caused by organic waste and slaughterhouse in particular is
not a Nigerian specific problem but rather a problem faced by countries worldwide which is fostering
a global human health tragedy.
Moreover, biogas plant technology is not a slaughterhouse waste treatment specific technology but
rather a technology applicable to other industrial sectors generating organic pollutants. Hence, it
is applicable to several other agro-processing industries and could be implemented in most developing
countries of the world.
Many other cities across the world are facing similar environmental and health challenges from
untreated slaughterhouse waste. The “cows to kilowatts” initiative carries a great
potential for further roll-out and replication.
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