Download - Biodigester Project Bebedouro, Brazil Engineers Without Borders University of Maryland, College Park
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