ADRA Cold Climate Biodigester

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$800.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

ADRA has partnered with the Thermal Institute of the Austrian National Academy of Sciences in the development and implementation of the product. The academy has promoted and replicated the design throughout the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (North Korea). Other NGOs also develop the plant in Nepal and Afghanistan including the UNDP.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include SimGas Biogas Milk Chiller, Sistema Biobolsa, Flexi Biogas BG5, and ARTI Biogas Plant.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product is individually manufactured.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

The product is supplied throughout North Korea (DPRK) through ADRA and the National Academy of Sciences. Advertising of the design is performed online and through DPRK newspapers. ^{Interview with representative}

Distributions to Date Status

As of July 2016, ADRA has constructed roughly 10 systems and the UNDP has constructed over 100 systems. Systems constructed by other entities are known to exist but have not been quantified.

Design Specifications

The system is designed for use in a greenhouse. The greenhouse has a footprint of 35 m² and the digester has a volume of 5 m³. For gas production, about 0.16 m³ of anaerobic matter needs to be supplied to the plant. To properly produce heat, aerobic matter must be replaced at a rate of 5.65 m³ every three months. The plant can store 0.5 m³ of gas, requiring a plastic bag to capture the total 3-5 m³ of gas that the plant produces daily. ^{Interview with representative} The system is operable at temperatures as low as -15 °C (with greenhouse), gas output 4-9 m³/day, aerobic heating system 30-65 °C, anaerobic process <25 °C, system can digest human, animal, and organic waste.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Technical support is provided by ADRA . ^{Interview with representative}

Replacement Components

Replacement components are available. ^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

The product has an expected lifetime of 10 years or more, depending on the level of maintenance.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Designer-specified performance targets include: durable and efficient.

Vetted Performance Status

Testing performed by NOVA Energy, Switzerland determined an average daily biogas production.  ^{Interview with representative} ADRA's pilot study found that in cold weather (-20°C) the digester produced 0.6-1.0 m³ of biogas per day, and in warmer weather that increased to 1.2-1.5 m^3.

Safety

Extreme caution is necessary when working with biogas. Adequate ventilation, appropriate precautions, good work practices, and adequate personal protective equipment will minimize the dangers associated with biogas. Wherever possible, digester-associated tasks and maintenance should be performed without anyone having to enter confined spaces, including pits.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

None. Design is adapted and adjusted to local standards in each country. No applicable international standards exist. ^{Interview with representative}

Evaluation methods

The manufacturer cites a feasibility study by ADRA as the evaluation method.^{Interview with representative}

Other Information

ADRA is also committed to other SDGs and disaster relief activities.