Kona Science Cafe: Small-Scale Biogas Reactors for Households and Coffee Farms

Presenter: Alexandra Schuler

Organic waste such as kitchen waste, grass clipping, fruit waste and weeds contains large amounts of nutrients and energy. Sustainable treatment of such waste is more important than ever, as we live on a planet with only limited resources. Anaerobic digestion in a biogas reactor transforms organic waste into energy-rich biogas and nutrient-rich effluent that can be used as fertilizer. In other words, it produces CO2-neutral energy and closes nutrient cycles.

Alexandra Schuler will talk about the anaerobic digestion process in general and the benefits of small-scale and low-tech biogas reactor systems for households and small coffee and fruit plantations on Hawaii. I will also explain what considerations are necessary for a successful biogas reactor design and operation.

Alexandra is an Environmental Engineering student at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH Zürich). Her masters thesis is on biogas reactor concepts for fruit and coffee plantations in Hawaii. It has brought her to Hawaii Island to analyze and test biogas concepts on a family coffee farm.

After the presentation, we will have pupus, drinks, and conversation. We are informal and it is potluck, so please bring a pupu and non-alcoholic beverage to share. Reusable plates and cups are encouraged, as is taking home your own trash.

Agenda:

5:00-5:15 p.m. Gather and Networking
5:15-6:15 p.m. Presentation and Q&A
6:15-7:30 p.m. More Networking, pupus