Uche Cecil Izuora
As Nigeria Government explores several sources of energy to meet growing electricity demand, converting cassava wastewater into biogas is being considered to help address the country’s energy needs.
The conversion will help transform the waste into useful resources as a sustainable solution to the environmental challenges associated with cassava processing.
Cassava effluent, which is often discharged around processing centres without adequate treatment, could contaminate nearby streams and other water bodies, but its biodegradable components could also be harnessed to produce renewable energy.
An Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Technical Director, Renewable Resources Centre, University of Ibadan, Prof. Taiwo Hammed, who spoke at a U.S.-Nigeria Transdisciplinary Workshop, themed, ‘From Cassava Effluent to Energy,’ at the University of Ibadan, offered clear explanations saying cassava wastewater could serve as feedstock for biogas production when properly managed.
According to him, its effectiveness depends on the type and quantity of feedstock, retention time, temperature and the balance of nutrients required by microorganisms to break down organic matter.
Cassava wastewater could be combined with materials such as cow dung to introduce the microorganisms needed to facilitate digestion and improve gas production, he added stressing that excessive water should be avoided to maintain the appropriate concentration for efficient methane production.
According to him, the biogas generated could be used for lighting and heating, while the residual slurry could be processed into solid and liquid fertiliser, creating additional value from cassava waste and reducing the quantity discharged into the environment.
Also, an environmental sustainability researcher, Dr. Foluke Olatoye, said the initiative was conceived after researchers encountered challenges associated with cassava wastewater during a previous collaborative learning exercise with processors.
Olatoye explained that the wastewater was being discharged into the environment, with the potential to enter nearby streams and other water bodies and cause contamination.
According to Olatoye, the challenge was examined through the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, which considers the interconnection between water resources, energy production and food systems, noting that researchers also identified the potential of converting the wastewater into biogas.
Olatoye said using the energy generated within cassava-processing hubs could improve productivity, increase food availability and strengthen livelihoods.
Also, Dr. Oluwaseun Bamigboye of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, said using energy generated from cassava wastewater within processing hubs could improve productivity, increase food availability and strengthen livelihoods.
The summit, supported by the SustainFood Network, brought together researchers from Nigeria and the U.S..