Biodigester ProjectBebedouro, Brazil

Engineers Without Borders

University of Maryland, College Park

Alagoas

Maceio

About the Community• Current problems with sanitation

– No proper removal of waste/waste-water

• Area plagued with

urban development

problems

• Very poor area

EWB Solution

• Install a Biodigester to convert human and animal waste into biogas

• The biodigester will serve as an example to the community that affordable, easily implementable waste-water solutions exist

• Install biodigester at community school

About the Location• Escola Estrela do Mar (The Starfish School)

– School of ~25 underprivileged students– Provides education for poor children for free– Cooks 3 meals daily for students – Provides students with medical and dental

health care – Works closely with the community– Website at www.starfishschool.org

Planned New Location• A new school is currently being built 3

kilometers from current location• Located in Santa Amelia• Expanding to house more students

Current School

New Location

What is a Biodigester?

• Enclosure that processes organic waste to produce biogas

• Cleanly processes waste

• Commonly used in rural or farm setting

Proposed Benefits

• The biodigester will remove waste from current cesspools– Potential to pump waste from outside sources

• Use the biogas as cooking fuel– Reduces pollution

• Produces high quality organic fertilizer as a byproduct

Considerations

• Maintenance• Manageability• Community Acceptance• Space• Time• Cost• Fuel needs

Proposed Timeline

• Now: Continue forming EWB-UMCP team– Meeting times: 6 PM, EGR 0135

• Summer 2007: Assessment Trip

• Winter 2008: Implementation Trip