Renewable Energy Alternatives

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Browsing Renewable Energy Alternatives by Subject "Maasai Mara University"

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  • Publication
    Publication
    Purification of bio-slurry waste using an electrolytic biomass solar cell with Co-generation of Bio-hydrogen Gas
    (International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2021-02-09) Marjan, Abdallah; Chaka, Aloys Osano and Bakari
    Bio-slurry disposal in areas lacking farmyards, where they can be used as organic manure is a challenge. On contrary, thereis a dire need for greener processes to increase clean potable water and bio-fuels. This study purposed to electrolyze bioslurry for its purification while producing bio-hydrogen gas. An electrolytic biomass solar cell (EBSC) of capacity 4,000mland current density 3.458amps/cm2 was used. Carbon and steel wool were used as the anode and cathode respectively. Thelevels of physico-chemicals and bacteria inhibition in the bio-slurry were monitored over a 24-day retention period.Functional groups in the bio-slurry were observed before and after electrolysis while the volumes of bio-hydrogen gas werealso monitored. Solid matters in the bio-slurry were effectively reduced by 32.15% while turbidity decreased from 18.92 to6.85 NTU. The pH value decreased from 8.5 to 6.5 with the electrolysis process. Removal of E. coli bacteria was significantlyhigher than that of S. aureus (P > 0.05). There were observable changes in the functional groups of the raw and electrolyzedsamples, corresponding to the changes in compounds and pH decline. The highest volume of bio-hydrogen recorded was450.0ml. Bio-hydrogen gas production was largely affected by the temperature and decreased over the retention period.
  • Publication
    Publication
    The Influence of Biocatalytic Plant Extracts on Biogas Production from Kitchen Wastes at Cryo-mesophilic Temperature Regimes
    (Science Publishing Group, 2019-01) Chaka, Bakari; Osano, Aloys; Maghanga, Justin; Magu, and Martin
    Radicalization in waste-to-energy systems are on the rise to meet human energy demands. Biogas generation from kitchen wastes is one such scheme, though affected by poor yields and methane levels at low temperatures. In this research, biocatalytic extracts with fermentative properties were hereby assessed on their potential to fasten these processes and increase the biogas yield at ambient temperatures. The variations in kitchen waste substrate anaerobic parameters and elemental composition as well as biogas yields and methane levels were monitored in a 28-day retention period. Three 40-liter batch and unstirred bio-digesters containing biocatalysts Terminalia b., Acanthaceae spp. and a control setup were used. The results indicated rapid saccharification rates in the samples with additives. Terminalia b. additives exhibited high volatile solids hydrolysis rate of 98.3% followed by Acanthaceae spp. (50.8%) and control sample (29.4%). Similar trends were observed in organic carbon reduction as the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur linearly increased. The biocatalysts did not affect substrate pH, volatile fatty acids and alkalinity levels. Terminalia b. sample produced 2.32 folds higher while Acanthaceae spp. sample produced 1.375 folds higher than the control sample. Terminalia b. methane levels were highest (45.475±0.922%) followed by the control sample (41.750±1.401) and Acanthaceae spp. sample (39.275±0.263%) after 28-day retention period at 19.5±0.5°C. Use of these biocatalysts in biofuel synthesis can thus optimize biogas production leading to greener economies.