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Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste
Dissertation (MEng (Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1869483893324775424 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Nicol, Willie |
| author_browse | Nicol, Willie |
| author_facet | Nicol, Willie |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MEng (Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107553 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:06:13.999Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107553 Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste Nicol, Willie u19264039@tuks.co.za Brink, Hendrik Gideon Kleynhans, Caela A. UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Anaerobic digestion Food waste Biogas Mixing Informal settlements Dissertation (MEng (Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2026. This study evaluated a low-cost food waste anaerobic digester (FWAD) designed for African urban informal settlements, where electricity and process control are limited. Eight small-scale reactors were operated under varying mixing, pH control, and temperature conditions to assess the feasibility of stable operation with minimal input. Results showed no significant difference in methane yield between reactors with continuous pH dosing and those adjusted every 48 hours, nor between continuously mixed and minimally mixed systems (ANOVA p > 0.05 for all comparisons). The highest mean methane yield, 0.267 L CH₄ g VS⁻¹, was achieved by the minimally mixed reactor with 48-hourly pH control at 30°C, while the controlled reactor at 37°C produced a comparable 0.247 L CH₄ g VS⁻¹. Total methane production was similar at both temperatures, although gas generation was faster during the first 24 hours at 37°C. Compared to extended post-feeding gas recovery, 58% – 73% of total methane was produced within the 48-hour cycle, suggesting conversion could increase by 30% – 40% with extended liquid retention. Microbial analyses showed compositional differences but consistent performance, indicating functional redundancy. These results confirm the capacity of FWAD for stable, efficient biogas production without continuous energy input. Chemical Engineering MEng (Chemical Engineering) Unrestricted Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology SDG-07: Affordable and clean energy SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities 2026-01-26T07:16:15Z 2026-01-26T07:16:15Z 2026-04 2026-01 Dissertation * A2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107553 10.25403/UPresearchdata.31146424 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Anaerobic digestion Food waste Biogas Mixing Informal settlements Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste |
| title | Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste |
| title_full | Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste |
| title_fullStr | Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste |
| title_short | Biogas production in African urban informal settlements : temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste |
| title_sort | biogas production in african urban informal settlements temperature and mixing considerations for continuous digestion of food waste |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Anaerobic digestion Food waste Biogas Mixing Informal settlements |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107553 |