scholarly journals A Feasibility Study of Biogas Technology to Solving Peri-urban Sanitation Problems in Developing Countries. A Case for Harare, Zimbabwe

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-104
Author(s):  
G Sibanda ◽  
D Musademba ◽  
H.C. Chihobo ◽  
L Zanamwe

This study investigated the feasibility of converting organic waste into energy using biogas technology to address sanitation problems in peri-urban suburbs of Harare, Zimbabwe.These suburbs with an estimated population of 156.975 are unique in that they are not connected to the Harare main water sewer system. A baseline survey was conducted to determine the quantity of biodegradable human and kitchen waste (N=60). Biodigester sizing and costing was done for various scenarios mainly household standalone, single centralised suburb and combined suburbs centralised biogas models. In addition potential biogas conversion to electricity was done for single centralised suburb and combined suburbs centralised biogas models. This was followed by a cost benefit analysis of employing combined suburbs biogas technology. A combined suburbs centralised biogas model was found to be the most feasible scenario producing 7378 m3 of biogas per day with electricity production capacity of 384 kW .There was a potential of wood savings of 6129 tonnes/year, paraffin savings of 2.556 tonnes/year and greenhouse benefits of 980 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions/ year and which would attract U$2940 from carbon credits sales per year. The study recommended the adoption of the biogas technology because of its potential toaddress both economic and sanitation challenges being faced by local authorities in developing countries particularly, improved hygienic conditions, energy supply chronic epidemics and sewerreticulation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Euston Quah ◽  
Tsiat Siong Tan ◽  
Zach J.L. Lee

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 861-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Agha Beigi ◽  
Constantin Christopoulos ◽  
Timothy J. Sullivan ◽  
Gian Michele Calvi

Recently, the gapped-inclined brace system (GIB) has been developed as an effective retrofitting solution for soft-story buildings. This paper presents a cost-benefit study of a building retrofitted using the GIB system. A six-story, reinforced concrete (RC) frame with an open story at the ground level and masonry infills on all other floors is studied. To investigate the effectiveness of alternate retrofit configurations, different scenarios of GIB systems are numerically analyzed, expected repair costs for various levels of seismic intensity are computed, and cost benefit values are compared to each other and to those obtained when the building is strengthened and stiffened at the ground floor using conventional methods. Results show that GIB retrofit solutions are likely to represent significant cost benefits compared to traditional retrofit solutions. The results also indicate that GIBs do not need to be positioned at all column locations of the soft story, which could be beneficial in reducing the overall retrofit cost and improving architectural functionality of the retrofitted structure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanane Wanapirak ◽  
Piyaluk Buddhawongsa ◽  
Woraluck Himakalasa ◽  
Auttapan Sarnwong ◽  
Theera Tongsong

Abstract Background To identify the most cost-beneficial model as a national policy of screening and diagnosis of fetal Down syndrome (DS) in developing countries. Methods Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) was performed based on the effectiveness and probabilities derived from a large prospective study on MSS (maternal serum screening) among Thai population. Various models including maternal age alone, STS (second trimester screen), I-S (independent screen: first or second trimester screen depending on the time of first visit), C-S (contingent serum screen) plus STS, maternal age with NIPS (non-invasive prenatal test), STS alone with NIPS, I-S with NIPS, C-S plus STS with NIPS, and Universal NIPS were compared. Results I-S with NIPS as a secondary screening was most cost-beneficial (Benefit/Cost ratio 4.28). Cost-benefit is directly related to the costs of NIPS. Conclusion In addition to simplicity and feasibility, I-S with expensive NIPS as a secondary screening is the most cost-beneficial method for low resource settings and should be included in universal healthcare coverage as a national policy. This study could be a model for developing countries or a guideline for international health organizations to help low resource countries, probably leading to a paradigm shift in prenatal diagnosis of fetal DS in the developing world.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 385-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Atănăsoae ◽  
Radu Dumitru Pentiuc ◽  
Dan Laurențiu Milici ◽  
Elena Daniela Olariu ◽  
Mihaela Poienar

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