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Este documento tiene como principal objetivo orientar a las organizaciones que trabajen con pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES) -empresas en diversos sectores de la economía, tales como los pequeños productores del sector agrícola, agroindustrial o forestal- a nivel centroamericano, para que puedan identificar oportunidades en el mercado de carbono para el desarrollo de proyectos de pequeña escala de mitigación de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI).

This document presents the biogas user manual of the Kenya National Domestic Biogas Programme. This document elaborates in Chapter 1 on biogas technology. Chapter 2 explains the general operation and maintenance, with general rules of biogas-uses. The next chapter is about the biogas plant. It explains with pictures what a complete KENBIM plant contains. There is an emphasis on the burner and on the biogas plant and agricultural cycle system. Chapter 4 elaborates on feeding of the plant with a focus on mixing chamber maintenance, expansion chamber maintenance, storage tank and compost pit maintenance, water trap maintenance, manometers, and gas pipe maintenance. Lastly, Chapter 5 explains potential problems and likely solutions in a biogas digester in table form.

The success or failure of any biodigester depends mainly upon the suitability of the design, site for construction and quality of construction works (including quality of construction materials and workmanship involved during construction). This booklet highlights the methods for selecting appropriate size and sites for construction, as well as steps of construction works related to the Modified GGC Model of Biogas Plant -2007, for Rwanda. This manual is prepared to assist the masons to successfully carry out their anticipated roles in constructing quality biodigesters.

Further, the report elaborates on masons’ responsibilities. The components of a biogas plant and the installation steps of biogas plants follow, including the selection of the correct size and construction site, the collection of construction materials and appliances, and the proper construction of the plant. The finishing work and users’ instructions are then described, followed by a thorough conclusion.

Building of a quality biodigester not only requires good knowledge and skills on the part of the constructor and the mason, but also effective supervision of installation and post-installation activities on behalf of a supervisor. To safeguard the quality, it is important that effective quality control mechanisms are formulated and properly enforced.

In the process of building the capacity of local artisans (especially the masons and supervisors) by teaching them detail technical knowledge and skills on the construction methods and supervisions of the household Biogas Plant, a Training of Trainers (TOT) emerged as a needed component. The participants of this TOT are expected to organise and conduct technical training programs to masons and supervisors in the future.

The overall objective of the TOT is to build capacity within KIST/CITT and ETO Gitarama to conduct quality training courses on construction and supervision of modified GGC model biogas plants and within selected private construction companies to construct and supervise modified GGC model biogas plants in Rwanda, according to the quality standards of the NDBP.

This manual envisages helping the participants in imparting effective technical training programmes and preparing the participants as multi-skilled persons to construct/supervise the construction of biodigester as well as to promote the technology at the grass-roots level.