Adventist Development and Relief Agency Switzerland/DPRK

 

 

CONTACT Marcel Wagner, Country Director Telephone/Fax +850 2 3817952

 

 

Biogas – Viable energy source in DPRK

 

16 January 2004

 

Pyongyang, DPRK (North Korea) – A 5m3 biogas fermenter plant that uses a natural heating method to sustain its operation thought winter has been installed and tested in Suk Chon County, South Pyongan Province in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) have worked in collaboration with the Thermal Institute, a member of the State Academy of Science in developing a biogas digester that can be used throughout the year. A Biogas feasibility study was funded by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

 

The newly installed biogas plant utilises anaerobic processes for the fermentation process and aerobic processes to naturally heat and insulate the biogas fermenter.  Insulation was built around the biogas fermenter using natural rice shell ash to increase efficiency.  A greenhouse was also built above the biogas fermenter to provide additional insulation and also allows the family to extend the growing seasons of food within the greenhouse or keep animals warm during the winter months.

 

Cooperative farms in DPRK have been using biogas as a source of energy since the late 1970s. During this time the Koreans built about 40 large biogas plants ranging in size from 500 to 1,000m3, using animal waste and rice straw for fuel. Biogas production is a widely used process for energy production around the world. Biogas is a biological process which aims to utilise the cycles in nature that produce energy. The production of gas often ceases in winter as the temperature in the digester falls below 15oc (59oF), the minimum temperature for the efficient production of biogas.

 

The greatest obstacle to wide spread biogas use thought DPRK is the harsh winter. Currently most of the fermenter tanks are not insulated and above ground considerable amount of heat in winter. Only a few of the older digesters are still in operation and all of those (except one) only in summer. Since June 2002, ADRA has been working with the Thermal Institute to find a solution to this problem so that energy can be produced throughout the year. “The winter in DPRK is a time when energy  is need the most for heating when temperatures in the region can reach -20oc (-4oF)”.

 

 Mr. Wellinger of Nova Enerige, who conducted a feasibility study, said “Biogas production is an excellent means to provide rural areas with energy in DPRK, while at the same time providing improved quality of manure for fertilizer”.

 

Mr Wellinger also conducted a workshop for resident international agencies and outlined to following benefits that can be obtained though biogas production;

·                 Saving money through substitution of energy from fossil fuels

·                 Replacing mineral fertilizers

·                 Avoiding cost of waste disposal

·                 Improving manure and nutrient management (changing the ph levels  from acid to alkaline which kills harmful bacteria

·                 Reducing the water polluting potential of wastes

·                 Embedded generation and local electricity distribution network reinforcement

·                 Reducing emission of green house gases in the atmosphere

·                  

Providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity, ADRA is present in more than 120 counties.

 

Additional information about ADRA DPRK can be obtained from the Country Director, Mr. Marcel Wagner at dprk@adraasia.org

 

 

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