Wei Zhan (PhD Student)
Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Project Title
Development of a mini landfill biogas generating technology using pig wastes.

Biography
Wei received his undergraduate degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, majoring in Environmental Engineering in 2006. In 2008 Wei completed his Masters degree in Environmental engineering from the same institution, focusing on restaurant waste water treatment.

Start Date
October 2008

Project Details
Energy scarcity and environmental deterioration are major global concerns. DUe to rapid economic development, rising living standards and continuously rising per capita energy consumption in CHuan, shortages of both oil and electricity are limiting factors for China's economic development. A key initiative is the development of renewable energy using advanced technology. In this project we aim to develop an innovative technology using mini pig waste landfills at farm scale to generate biogas that will be harnessed and used by the local community, including farmers. Pig waste is the target given the large volume of wastes generated by some 1,830,000 farms. The Pig Industry is one of the main industries in the suburban economy as it contributes towards 67% of meat consumed by a population exceeding 1.2 billion. Generation of biogas production will help farmers add value to pig wastes while simultaneously minimizing the waste disposal problems. The project will commence with an initial characterisation of wastes from pig farms, isolation and characterisation of mixed microbes and subsequent use of these indigenous microbes to develop a bench scale bioreactor system. Based on the results from the previous work this study will be focussed on characterisation of pig farm solid and liquid wastes and managing solid waste.