So I will be frank with you, I am super excited about the 2014 FIFA World Cup. I mean yeah I am not exactly a soccer fanatic, (as is probably the case with some of you!) , but hey THIS IS THE WORLD CUP! And its in Brazil. That has to mean something - RIGHT?!!
That however isn't the only thing pumping my blood in all directions! The National University Science and Techno hosted its first ever Open day for Chemical Engineering last week on Friday. In line with the global theme of sustainable development, the Open Day was centered on Methane gas production from Municipality Solid Waste (MSW). logy
As part of its endeavor to produce rounded, practical process engineers, the NUST Department of Chemical Engineering has introduced a section for pilot plant productions in the last year of study for is Chemical Engineering program. 5 students make up a group and are tasked to produce different designs for producing the same product and from the same raw materials. The parameters are up to the group's discretion. This year's task was the production of methane gas from MSW, by anaerobic bio digestion.
That however isn't the only thing pumping my blood in all directions! The National University Science and Techno hosted its first ever Open day for Chemical Engineering last week on Friday. In line with the global theme of sustainable development, the Open Day was centered on Methane gas production from Municipality Solid Waste (MSW). logy
As part of its endeavor to produce rounded, practical process engineers, the NUST Department of Chemical Engineering has introduced a section for pilot plant productions in the last year of study for is Chemical Engineering program. 5 students make up a group and are tasked to produce different designs for producing the same product and from the same raw materials. The parameters are up to the group's discretion. This year's task was the production of methane gas from MSW, by anaerobic bio digestion.
Kudzai Chiodza and his team designed this batch pilot plant to produce 4.25kg of methane from 50 kg of biomass and water fed in a 1:3 ratio. The design cost a modest USD $300 and took 4 months to produce and perfect.
Anaerobic bio digestion is a naturally occurring process by which bacteria in waste decomposes material that is bio degradable in the absence of oxygen, producing the gas methane as a by product. Carbon Dioxide is also another major product together with traces of other gases including Hydrogen Sulphide. It is a common occurrence in land fill sites and a cause for explosions from the same as was the case with the Loscoe explosion in England. This energy content in methane can be harnessed and properly used.
In its first year the Open day hosted quite a number of innovative designs that can be replicated on a commercial scale to produce energy from all sources of biodegradable waste including MSW. This would alleviate the dangers associated with land fill gas and sustainably harness energy for a country like Zimbabwe that is in dire need of it. One of the students interviewed applauded the introduction of such a section to the study program, saying it forced them "to apply classroom principles on a prevailing social problem". Kudzai Chiodza was also quick to point out that sustainable energy provision houses potential for profitable business modeling if due diligence is given to all variables.
We applaud the introduction of such an addition to the program, and the effort that the students put into their designs. It is hoped therefore that these designs will be replicated at commercial levels, to produce gas sustainably for energy provision. Industrial gurus and policy makers should take part in subsequent upcoming open days. If methane is to be produced from land fills and used for heating and cooking there might just probably be fewer power cuts during the upcoming World Cup editions!
Feel free to participate in the comments section!
In its first year the Open day hosted quite a number of innovative designs that can be replicated on a commercial scale to produce energy from all sources of biodegradable waste including MSW. This would alleviate the dangers associated with land fill gas and sustainably harness energy for a country like Zimbabwe that is in dire need of it. One of the students interviewed applauded the introduction of such a section to the study program, saying it forced them "to apply classroom principles on a prevailing social problem". Kudzai Chiodza was also quick to point out that sustainable energy provision houses potential for profitable business modeling if due diligence is given to all variables.
We applaud the introduction of such an addition to the program, and the effort that the students put into their designs. It is hoped therefore that these designs will be replicated at commercial levels, to produce gas sustainably for energy provision. Industrial gurus and policy makers should take part in subsequent upcoming open days. If methane is to be produced from land fills and used for heating and cooking there might just probably be fewer power cuts during the upcoming World Cup editions!
Feel free to participate in the comments section!