ENERGIZING WASTE

Name: Adedire Aishat Imoh
School: Iju Senior Grammar School
Project: ENERGIZING WASTE

Energizing waste solves two primary problems; the indiscriminate waste disposal and the epileptic power supply.

INDISCRIMINATE DISPOSAL OF WASTE

On many Nigerian streets, we find dirt piled up at corners, and most times, there are no proper waste disposal systems to take care of these wastes. Waste that are not properly disposed off could cause the outbreak of diseases like dysentery and cholera. It can also lead to flooding, which endangers lives and properties, lives and properties. Waste (solid and sewage) materials are also washed down into marine areas like oceans, rivers, ponds, leading to water pollution and the death of aquatic organisms - depriving individuals of their source of livelihood. According to the UN, over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihood, and marine fisheries directly or indirectly employ over 200 million people.

EPILEPTIC POWER SUPPLY

According to Sahara reporters, on the 20th of July, 2022, Nigeria’s national grid collapsed for the sixth time in 2022 despite a surge in electricity tariffs and fuel and diesel prices. Before this, many communities have been subjected to the epileptic supply of power while in other communities electricity blackout is the order of the day which is not right as electricity is needed majorly to carry out most of our daily activities to ensure productivity. This has made some individuals use candles which can cause fire outbreaks anytime, any day, and anywhere. On the other hand, some have embraced the use of Carbon Monoxide (CO) emitting generators and these are our common "I BETTER PASS MY NEIGHBOUR" generators which are detrimental to human health as the exhaust, Carbon Monoxide is a very poisonous gas that leads to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning and could lead to death if there is excessive inhalation. Also, Carbon monoxide contributes to the buildup of some greenhouse gases in the troposphere influencing the depletion of our ozone layer and increasing climate action which affects humanity and our ecosystem negatively. 

This was why I decided to create this project by combining two problems to provide a solution and it is called "ENERGIZING WASTE".

Energizing waste utilizes waste materials that are counted as not useful to humanity in generating useful resources like biogas an alternative to cooking gas and electricity which is needed by all. This project is in line with SDG 3- GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, SDG 7- AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY, SDG 11- SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES, SDG 13- CLIMATE ACTION, and SDG 14- LIFE BELOW WATER.

It also aids the principles of circular economy as the circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.
 (Wikipedia, July 2022)

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Waste of different forms ranging from plastics, nylons, wood waste, leftover foods, organic waste, papers, and so on are collected with the use of a smart waste bin to prevent the spread of diseases in the sense that one does not need physical contact with the waste bin before disposal of waste can occur. The waste collected is separated into organic and recyclable waste.

Recyclable waste like pet bottles, papers, cans, plastics, etc., are recycled into useful materials while organic waste passes through a different process to provide useful resources one of which is electricity. 

HOW ELECTRICITY IS GENERATED FROM ORGANIC WASTE

For domestic purposes, organic waste collected is put in a mini furnace. A detachable filter is attached to the furnace to collect soot and dust particles. An airtight pot/container, filled with water is placed on the mini furnace. A turbine is made out of a can. A pipe is then connected to the pot. A 12V-24V DC motor is connected to the turbine to generate electricity. A plug-in is connected to the end of the DC motor to connect appliances. 

Then, organic waste in the mini furnace is burnt and the heat from the furnace boils water. Steam passes the pipe and spins the turbine. DC motor spins alongside the turbine supplying electricity to the plug-in. Appliances can then be connected and powered by the energy generated.

MATERIALS NEEDED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY FROM ORGANIC WASTE
• A mini furnace
• An airtight pot/container filled with water
• PVC pipes
• A turbine made from can
• A 12V-24V DC motor

OBTAINING BIOGAS AN ALTERNATIVE TO COOKING GAS FROM ANIMAL DUNG

To get biogas from animal dung, get an airtight drum, mark out holes for pipes and fix in the required pipesake a tiny hole on the lid and put a male-female 8mm quick-release gas hose connector, connect a gas hose to the gas hose connector and tighten with a worm-drive gas hose clip. Also, make a hole for a gas pipe fitting. Fix the gas pipe, put a gas regulator and connect it to a table gas cooker. Tighten it with a gas hose connector. Mix animal dung with water and pour into 1\3 of the drum. Leave for 2-7 days. Ignite your gas then it is ready and safe for use.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR DOMESTIC GENERATION OF BIOGAS

• An airtight digester tank
• PVC pipes
• PVC pipe adapter
• Gas pipes
• Gas valve/Gas regulator
•  A male-female 8mm quick release gas hose connector
•  Worm-drive gas hose clip 

With ENERGIZING WASTE, we REFUSE, REDUCE, RE-USE and RECYCLE waste that is counted as useless into needed and useful resources.  

With ENERGIZING WASTE, the rate of environmental pollution, especially water pollution leading to the death of aquatic organisms, and emission of greenhouse gases leading to the depletion of the ozone layer will reduce drastically.

With ENERGIZING WASTE, there is usefulness in every bit of waste.

THANK YOU.