Lagos abattoir converts cow waste to biogas

Conversion of animal waste to biogas is being heralded as the next enabling technology, which will boost the off-grid lighting market in the country.

The biogas, produce from the plant is currently being use to power the Ikorodu Mini Abattior, at Ebute road, Ikorodu, Lagos State for close six hours every day. The tripartite project, which commenced September last year was completed and commissioned recently.

The biogas plant is expected to save the abattoir substantial funds used in buying fuel for its generators. The plant will also produces organic fertilizer. The project was between Lagos State government, Friends of the Environment (FOTE) and HIS Biogas.

Essentially, the project was based on design, build, supply and maintain basis. The plant will be capable of converting organic waste through the installation of four 5,000-litre digester tanks, and fed with digestible organic waste and concentrated wastewater from the abattoir.

Since the completion of the project, the animal waste, which was hitherto a challenge and burden to dispose to the abattoir, has been channeled to the plant, which now supply electricity and pumping water to the facility.

Not only that, the organic fertilizer produced from the plant is now been sought after by farmers to nourish their vegetable and other planted crops in their farm.

The representative of Bolfas Agro Allied Limited, the concessionaire of the Ikorodu Mini Abattior, Prince Osindeinde Adebiyi, who spoke on the impact of the biogas plant during a visit to the facility recently, disclosed that between 35 to 45 cows are slaughtered at the abattoir everyday and the waste channeled to the plant to produce gas to generate light and boil water for use in the abattior.

He explained that power produced through the gas generated lights up the abattoir for close to six hours every day while the public supply is used for the remaining part of the day.

Adebiyi added that the conversion of the animal waste to biogas as helped to eliminate odour that is usually synonymous to any abattoir and regular supply of water to the facility, “No more odour in the environment, you cannot perceive any odour”, he insisted.

He commended FOTE and partners for their efforts in delivering the plant and ensuring that it functions well even after completion.

Representative of TOGATA Renewable Technology, the designer of the facility and Project Manager, Aniche Phil-Ebosie, an engineer, disclosed that the technology was derived from Germany but was a bit expensive which prompted the organization to look inward and came with idea of using pvc water tank which can last for decades.

He explained that 90 per cent of the materials used for the plant were sourced locally, which made it cost effective and environment friendly. He added that the bigger the abattoir and number of cows killed per day, the better it will be to get organic waste.