A Chinese Biogas Manual

Popularising technology in the countryside

Ariane van Buren, Michael Crook, Ariane van Buren, Michael Crook, Ariane van Buren, Leo Pyle, Michael Crook

• Publisher: Intermediate Technology Publications
• Year: 1976
• Print ISBN:
  9780903031653
• eBook ISBN:
  9781780441825
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Global Development Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

The production of biogas, which is regarded in many countries as a by-product of an efficient system of energy production, has become in China a comprehensive, controlled method of waste disposal, recycling resources, supplying energy and fertilizer and improving rural health, as the digesting of wastes in a closed container kills many of the pathogens responsible for common human diseases. There are already approximately seven million biogas pits in opertion, with Sichuan (Szechuan) province leading the country in a movement to extend the practice throughout the countryside. This manual describes in detail how to build the pit, and covers a full range of designs to suit various soils from sandstone to sheer rock. It also includes a description of how the original manual was used.

Table of contents

• Cover Front
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of figures
• List of tables
• List of plates
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1. The Advantages of Biagas for Rural Areas
• 2. Basic Information about Biagas
• 3. Basic Principles for the Constructionof a Biagas Pit
• 4. Different Designs of Biagas Pits
• 5. Maintenance and Quality Appraisal of Biogas Pits
• 6. Scientific Management of a Biagas Pit
• 7. Using Biagas
• 8. Safety Measures in Building Biagas Pits and Using Biagas
• Appendix I
• Appendix II
• Record of the accomplishment of Shachiao Commune, Guangdong Province, in using this manual to develop a biogas programme. (Interview with Liang Dami ng. Head of the Biagas Works Office, September 28 1978.)
• Back Cover