Enhancing Biogas Machine Efficiency from

Food Waste

BY

Coralde, Adrian R.
Cornelio, Marco E.
De Lara, Justine Lord T.
Supeña, Lanz Adrianne D.
Verdera, Mark Jamil P.

Undergraduate Degree Obtained

Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology Nagtahan St.
Sampaloc, Manila, 2025

A Thesis Report Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Degree

Mechanical Engineering

Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology

May, 2025
 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Every day, over one billion meals worth of edible food are wasted worldwide. Food loss
and waste contribute up to 10 percent of total anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas
emissions, with an estimated 3.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent released into the
atmosphere annually. In Metro Manila alone, an estimated 2,175 tons of food scraps are
thrown away daily. When food waste ends up in landfills, it decomposes and releases
methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat.
Addressing food loss and waste is crucial in the fight against climate change.

Environmental concerns and the current fuel demand are two of the main reasons for the
widespread production and utilization of renewable forms of energy. Among them, biogas has
arisen in recent years as a valid option to be used for transportation, heat, and electricity
production. Biogas is a flammable gas produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter,
such as agricultural and food-processing residues, manure, and household waste. It consists
primarily of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The use of this energy source offers
benefits such as the decrease of greenhouse gas emissions and a reduction in the dependence
of fossil fuels, thus being a solid alternative to cope with global warming issues. Nowadays,
Europe is the world's largest producer of biogas, which ranks third in the continent's
renewable energy resources (13% in 2018), after hydro and wind power. Biogas systems have
the potential to be an effective strategy in fighting several serious environmental problems,
not only climate change but also eutrophication, acidification, and air pollution. In order to
maximize these potential benefits, and to minimize the potential negative effects, it is crucial
that biogas systems be designed and located wisely.

The importance of this study is to enhance efficiency, accelerate production, and ensure
cost-effectiveness of Biogas production from Food waste as a sustainable energy
source.Think about all the food scraps from restaurants, grocery stores, and households that
usually end up rotting in landfills, releasing harmful methane into the atmosphere. This
research explores how we can take that waste and turn it into something useful like biogas, a
renewable energy source that can power homes, vehicles, and industries. By making the
process more efficient, the study helps ensure we get the most energy out of every bit of food
waste, making biogas a more practical and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels. Beyond
just energy, this work matters because it pushes us toward a circular economy where waste
isn’t just trash but a resource. Imagine cities where food waste isn’t a burden but a fuel
source, cutting down on pollution and reducing our reliance on landfills. For businesses and
governments, improving biogas efficiency means lower costs and better returns, making
sustainable waste management more attractive.
 In this study, researchers aim to measure several key factors to understand how well the
system performs and where improvements can be made. One of the main focuses is Biogas
production, including how much gas is generated (yield), how fast it’s produced (rate), and its
quality, specifically the methane percentage, since higher methane content means more
energy potential. They also look at the digestion process itself, checking how effectively the
food waste breaks down by tracking volatile solids reduction and chemical oxygen demand
(COD) removal. By examining all these aspects, the research helps optimize biogas
technology to make it more efficient, sustainable, and viable for real-world use.

According to the study titled “Experimental investigation on the production of biogas

from waste food” concluded that among the various treatment methods, anaerobic digestion
(AD) of waste food allows its valorization and the biogas produced can be used as biofuel
enhancing the gas supply. Following the pre-treatment of waste food during 30 min beating
time, the biogas yield achieved a value of about 610.33 ml/gTS. Pre-treated waste food by
Hollander beaters at a beating time of 30 min enhances biogas production by 80%. An
optimum biogas yield was achieved with pre-treatment of waste food at a beating time of 30
min. (Alghoul, O. et al. (2018)).

Food waste is a global problem we can’t ignore, but what if we could turn it into
something valuable? This study tackles that challenge head-on by making biogas systems
work smarter and more efficiently. Instead of letting food scraps rot in landfills, we can
transform them into clean energy to power homes, businesses, and even vehicles. The goal?
A future where waste isn’t wasted, where every banana peel, stale bread, and spoiled
vegetable becomes fuel instead of pollution. This isn’t just about better machines; it’s about
changing how we think about trash. With smarter biogas technology, we take a real step
toward cleaner cities, less climate harm, a world where nothing goes to waste and a greener
future may lie in the scraps we once threw away.

Statement of the Problem

Food waste levels in Manila have surged, contributing to environmental degradation and
inefficient resource utilization. According to the United Nations Environment Programme
(2021), food waste accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the
urgency to repurpose leftovers sustainably. Current biogas digesters, especially DIY systems,
often lack efficiency, portability, and user-friendliness, limiting their adoption in households
and food businesses. Manual operation and suboptimal designs lead to inconsistent biogas
output, safety risks, and maintenance challenges, discouraging widespread use.

This study aims to develop an enhanced, portable biogas digester to efficiently convert
food waste into cooking fuel. The solution will address inefficiencies in existing systems by
optimizing waste-to-biogas conversion rates and ensuring ease of operation. Furthermore, the
research seeks to answer the following questions related to the design and implementation of
the device:
 1. What quantity (in kilograms) of food waste is required to produce sufficient biogas
for daily cooking needs, and how does waste composition influence output?
2. What are the critical safety, operational, and maintenance challenges hindering the
adoption of DIY biogas digesters among households and food vendors?
3. What enhancements should be taken to effectively improve system reliability of
biogas digester?

Objectives of the Study

General Objective
This study aims to enhance the efficiency of biogas production from food waste by
optimizing processes from waste collection to energy conversion, focusing on safety, design
innovations, and stakeholder adoption.
Specific Objectives
1. To assess the composition and quantity of food waste from Quiapo’s street vendors
to determine optimal digestion parameters
2. To calculate the effectiveness of solar thermal enhancements (black-painted
digesters with water-filled bottles) in maintaining mesophilic temperatures (35–40°C).
3. To integrate real-time safety sensors (methane detectors, pressure gauges) and
evaluate their impact on mitigating explosion risks.
4. To design and test a compact, portable biogas digester prototype.

Significance of the Study

This research holds substantial importance for various stakeholders. The study aims to
enhance biogas fuel production efficiency from food waste, addressing critical challenges in
sustainable energy generation and waste management.

Food Vendors and Small Businesses: Businesses can lower operational costs,
comply with environmental regulations, and reduce reliance on commercial fuels
(LPG) by converting waste into free cooking gas, improving both profitability and
eco-friendly practices.

Households & Communities: Provides a cost-effective and sustainable fuel source

for cooking and heating, reduces indoor air pollution from traditional fuels(charcoal)
and mitigates landfill-related health hazards.

Waste Management Sector: Reduces landfill waste by efficiently converting food

scraps into usable biogas fuel and provides insights into maximizing waste
utilization, minimizing landfill dependency, and lowering disposal costs.

Policymakers & Environmental Advocates: Provides data to support

biogas-friendly policies and climate action goals. Demonstrates scalable
 waste-to-energy solutions for urban areas, aligning with SDGs for clean energy and
sustainable cities.

Future Researchers and Innovators : Serves as a reference for further studies on

waste-to-energy technologies, provides future designs of portable, low-cost digesters
for urban settings and opens opportunities for collaborative research in renewable
energy and environmental science.

Scope and Limitation

This study focuses on enhancing biogas system efficiency by utilizing food waste collected
from Quiapo’s vibrant street food vendors and households, the heart of Manila’s street food
culture and residential community, to explore how daily food waste can be transformed into
clean energy. We’ll work directly with residents,carinderias, kiosks, and mobile stalls to
measure just how much leftover rice, vegetable scraps, and spoiled ingredients get tossed
each day, then test small-scale biogas digesters to see how efficiently they can convert that
waste into usable fuel. The research will evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of
small-scale biogas digesters in real-world settings, specifically targeting households and
vendors who generate 1-8 kg of food waste daily. By engaging directly with these
stakeholders, the study aims to identify their primary concerns (safety risks, cost, and
maintenance) and test solutions such as durable materials, solar heating modifications, and
portable designs to improve system reliability and output.

However, the study acknowledges limitations. The scope is confined to Quiapo’s food
vendors and select households, which may not fully represent other urban or rural contexts
with different waste volumes or infrastructure. Seasonal variations in food waste composition
and limited stakeholder participation due to time constraints could also affect data
consistency. Additionally, while the research explores cost-effective DIY solutions,
scalability for larger commercial use or integration with municipal waste systems requires
further investigation. Despite these boundaries, the findings will offer actionable insights for
households and communities seeking sustainable waste-to-energy solutions, bridging the gap
between innovation and grassroots implementation.

This human-centered approach ensures the study isn’t just about technology but about
empowering families and a community to turn their waste into a resource. By grounding this
research in the messy, vibrant reality of Quiapo’s homes and street-side cooking, we hope to
spark conversations and maybe even a few prototypes that turn “balewala” scraps into
something truly valuable.

Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework focuses on enhancing biogas production from food waste through
anaerobic digestion. Key factors influencing efficiency include in this study are;
 Process Parameters or optimal temperature (mesophilic or thermophilic), pH (around
6.8-7.4), Hydraulic Retention Time (20-30 days), Organic Loading Rate, Total Solids
(7-12%), and a balanced Carbon/Nitrogen ratio (20-30) (Salvi, 2018). Next, as mentioned by
(Unnahalage, 2024) Pre-treatment techniques such physical, chemical, and biological
methods improve substrate availability for microbes. Followed by Optimization Approaches,
techniques like Response Surface Methodology and Data Envelopment Analysis help
optimize process parameters and evaluate biogas plant efficiency. Salvi (2018) added
Integration of Strategies known for combining enzymatic hydrolysis with fermentation
enhances biomethane and biohydrogen production, while selecting appropriate microbial
consortia can further optimize yields (Vijayakumar et al, 2022). Lastly, sustainability
considerations as efficient biogas production reduces landfill use and greenhouse gas
emissions, supporting environmental and economic sustainability (Ferdes et al, 2022).

Conceptual Framework

In this study, the researchers aim to enhance the Food Waste System to increase efficiency
and create biogas from the food waste. It shows the flow of the entire study, from the
gathering of the data used to its outputs.

The input concludes that the 5 questions need to be answered in the Food Waste System.
While on the next slide, it states how we are going to do and the research design to be used.
On the last slide, the output shows the final work which inserts the title of the study.
Definition of Terms (Operational and Universal)

Acidification
OM: Refers to the excessive drop in pH in the digester caused by the accumulation of
organic acids, which inhibits biogas production.

UM: The process of becoming or making something more acidic. (Collins English
Dictionary, 2025).

Anthropogenic
OM: A human-generated food waste used as the primary substrate for anaerobic
digestion, specifically focusing on household and commercial organic waste streams.

UM: Relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature. Biogas
Digester. (Merriam Webster, 2025).

Biochemical
OM: Refers to the enzymatic and metabolic reactions carried out by anaerobic
microorganisms to break down organic matter in food waste.

UM: A chemical existing in or obtained from living matter, or used in processes

dealing with living matter. (Dictionary, n.d.).

Biogas Digester
OM: A machine used for the production of biogas, sealed anaerobic reactor system
designed to convert food waste into biogas.

UM: an airtight enclosed container designed to enhance the anaerobic digestion of

biodegradable waste such as animal manure, domestic wastes, black water or sludge
and the collection of the produced biogas. (Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews, 2018).

Greenhouse Gas Emission

OM: It is reduced by the energy source or the Biogas.

UM: The release of certain gases into the Earth’s atmosphere can create a
“greenhouse effect”, in which heat becomes trapped and global temperatures rise.
(International Business Machines Corporation, 2023).
Methane
OM: Primary combustible component of biogas, produced during the anaerobic
digestion of food waste, and measured in percentage (%) composition using a gas
chromatograph.
 UM: A colorless odorless flammable gaseous hydrocarbon CH4 that is a product of
biological decomposition of organic matter and of the carbonization of coal, is used as
a fuel and as a starting material in chemical synthesis, and is the simplest of the
alkanes. (Merriam-Webster, 2025).

Microbial Activity
OM: Metabolic processes of anaerobic bacteria involved in breaking down food
waste, measured by biogas production rate (mL/day) and volatile fatty acid (VFA)
concentration.

UM: The processes by which microbes cause chemical and biological changes in
soils, cells, etc. (Collins Dictionary, n.d.).

Reliance
OM: Enhancing biogas systems decreases reliance on non-renewable energy sources
by generating sustainable energy from food waste.

UM: The fact of depending on someone or something. (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d).

Renewable Energy
OM: Biogas produced through the anaerobic digestion of food waste, which is
utilized as a sustainable fuel source.

UM: Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable
natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale. (Wikipedia, n.d.).

Sustainable
OM: Specific actions, such as production of biogas from food waste as an energy
source, that aims to achieve long-term viability.

UM: Causing, or made in a way that causes little or no damage to the environment
and therefore able to continue for a long time. (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.).

Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

 This Review of Related Literature (RRL) examines the latest advancements in biogas
production efficiency from food waste, focusing on process optimization, digester design
innovations, and real-world applicability particularly for small-scale urban settings like
Quiapo’s street food vendors. While anaerobic digestion is a }well-established technology, its
widespread adoption in developing regions remains limited due to system inefficiencies, high
costs, and operational challenges in decentralized settings. Recent studies, such as those by
Alghoul et al. (2018) and Salvi (2018), have demonstrated that optimizing key parameters
including temperature, pH, retention time, and pre-treatment methods can significantly
enhance biogas yield. However, gaps persist in adapting these findings to low-income,
high-density urban environments, where space constraints, variable waste composition, and
limited technical expertise pose unique challenges.

The growing global crisis of food waste and its environmental impact has spurred
significant interest in sustainable waste-to-energy solutions. With over 1.3 billion tons of food
wasted annually (UNEP, 2021) and food waste contributing to 8-10% of global greenhouse
gas emissions, the need for efficient biogas production systems has never been more urgent.

Food waste is a major component of Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 (SDG) and may
be evaluated thoroughly with the help of the Food Waste Index Report. By offering a fresh
assessment of the world's food waste, it highlights the scope of the issue and the possibility of
prevention in low-, middle-, and high-income nations. To help nations report on SDG 12.3
and monitor their progress toward 2030, the paper also presents a methodology for measuring
food waste at the household, food service, and retail levels. By offering sensitive estimates,
facilitating meaningful comparisons across nations worldwide, and guiding national
initiatives on food waste avoidance, this methodology will guarantee a more successful
approach to food waste reduction (Division et al., 2021).

Solid waste management is a global issue requiring immediate action from the
government and its citizens. The Philippines faces increasing waste, weak law
implementation, sanitary landfill scarcity, and improper disposal. The Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000, RA 9003, aims to address these issues through segregation, proper
disposal, and waste diversion. The country also emphasizes the importance of a trash-free
Philippines and public participation. According to a review on the solid waste management in
the Philippines by Coracero et al., (2021) another solution is valorization, which can address
environmental issues like natural resource depletion. These solutions require good
governance, active citizen participation, and cooperation from all stakeholders. A trash-free
Philippines is also a potential solution.

Anaerobic Digestion Process for Producing Biogas

Anaerobic digestion is now a widely used treatment technique for food waste because of
its high organic content and high biodegradability. This review article by Leung & Wang,
(2016) offers helpful information for effective anaerobic digestions and highlights important
anaerobic digestion parameters. A successful and efficient anaerobic digestion process
requires a pH and temperature that are within reasonable bounds. A successful digestion of
food waste is triggered by a favorable inoculum to substrate ratio. Additionally crucial are
tiny particle sizes and adequate mixing. The advantages and disadvantages of various reactors
for the digestion of food waste are also emphasized. In addition, co-digestion of food waste
with green waste, sewage sludge, and animal manures was implemented.

With the growing global demand for renewable energy sources, biogas has emerged as a
sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. However, its production efficiency varies significantly
depending on several critical factors that researchers have identified through numerous
studies. According to Yang et al. (2024) one of the key factors affecting the efficiency of
Anaerobic Digestion is high ammonia concentrations that can cause digestive system
dysfunction, whereas low quantities are better for AD. Many physical, chemical, and
biological techniques have been developed and proposed to manage ammonia levels and/or
strengthen biological processes in order to improve the stability of the digestive system and
address the problem of ammonia inhibition. According to published research, the digestive
system's tolerance to ammonia and nitrogen varies depending on the AD response
circumstances and microbial backgrounds.

Pre-treatment Techniques to Enhance Biogas Production Efficiency

According to Sheng (2011), Pretreatment methods for increasing biogas yield have
received a lot of attention since biogas could be a viable alternative to traditional energy
sources. Numerous pretreatment procedures, such as thermal, chemical, thermochemical,
mechanical, ultrasonic, electron beam, and biological pretreatment, have been studied. When
compared to non-pretreatment procedures, the majority of these approaches have shown a
notable increase in biogas output. Pretreatment is generally used to improve the digested
materials' biodegradability and bioavailability, which will boost the production of biogas
during subsequent anaerobic digestion. In order to obtain a more efficient process in terms of
both economic and environmental factors, the best treatment conditions must be identified
and the pretreatment procedure must be chosen first for a given type of biomass.

This foreign literature from Deepanraj (2013) stated that During anaerobic digestion, the
pretreatment helps the substrates undergo complete biodegradation. digestion despite their
intricate chemical and physical makeup. Among the several pretreatment methods are
mechanical, The biomass's structure is modified via thermal, chemical, and biological
techniques. These methods are employed to enhance the performance of anaerobic digestion
by decreasing the hydrolysis time through process rate improvement. In this literature there
are different pretreatment techniques that can be used to enhance the production of biogas.
We can use this to explore other methods so it can help to enhance anaerobic digestion.

A local literature from Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Science and

Technology of Southern Philippines, examined the anaerobic co-digestion of cattle
manure with several feedstocks, including rice straw and coconut shell, to produce biogas.
Various biomass pretreatment techniques were used to boost biogas yield because of
ammonia inhibition. The feedstocks underwent ultrasonication pretreatments with NaOH in
liquid hot water. Rice straw and coconut shell pretreatments were shown to boost methane
production by two and three times, respectively. The findings of this study may help create
innovative techniques for producing biogas from agricultural biomass waste by utilizing
ultrasonication-NaOH hydrolysis and LHW pretreatment. (Magomnang & Capareda 2020).

In order to gather data on the long-term impacts, including potential inhibition during the
digestion of a lignocellulosic substrate, anaerobic co-digestion experiments were conducted.
Co-digestion can often be beneficial because it provides the system with additional nutrients,
which improves the pH and C/N ratio balance, increases process stability, and boosts methane
yield through beneficial synergistic effects, all of which raise the biogas's economic value.
This study uses cattle (cow) manure co-digested with various biomass feedstocks like rice
straw, coconut shell, and sewage sludge as inoculum for power generation applications in
order to ascertain the effects of different pretreatment techniques (alkalinity using NaOH,
ultrasonication, and liquid hot water using autoclave) on the biomass properties and biogas
yield in the anaerobic co-digestion of agricultural biomass waste.

Almendrala et. al. (2025) stated that, Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste (FW) and
slaughterhouse wastewater (SHWW) provides a sustainable method of biogas production and
waste management. The study of FeO₃ as a conductive material in the co-digestion of the
two substrates, however, was not widely discussed in the literature. This study assesses how
FeO₃ affects the kinetics of anaerobic co-digestion, organic matter removal, and biogas
output. Five batch tests were conducted, including one control and four with different FeO₃
dosages. The decrease of total solids (TS) and volatile solids (VS) was considerably
improved by FeO₃, according to the results. The largest methane yield of 9878.95 L CH₄/kg
VS was attained by the reactor with 0.5 g Fe₂O₃ per 800 mL working volume, which also
produced the highest TS and VS reduction. At this ideal dosage, biogas production increased
by 81% in comparison to the control. However, biogas generation is reduced by additional
increases in FeO₃ above the ideal dose concentration, suggesting a threshold beyond which
inhibitory effects take place. Additionally, because of the increased microbial activity at this
ideal dosage, a decrease in BOD and COD was noted. Furthermore, by reducing inhibitory
chemicals and encouraging direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), FeO₃ stabilizes
anaerobic digestion and improves methane output. Methane production trends were
effectively anticipated using kinetic modeling employing the Logistic Function, indicating its
potential for use on an industrial scale. Overall, the study demonstrates that the anaerobic
co-digestion process greatly improves biogas yield and system performance when FeO₃ is
administered at the ideal dosage.
Optimizing Biogas Production: Design Innovations and Process Strategies for
Anaerobic Digesters

Enhancing the efficiency of biogas machines that process food waste in the Philippines
involves a combination of technological, operational, and community-based strategies.
Recent studies and projects in the country highlight several effective approaches. From Philip
(2024), anaerobic co-digestion for higher yields showed that combining food waste with
animal manure, specifically cow dung through anaerobic co-digestion has been shown to
significantly increase biogas production and improve methane quality. This method leverages
the complementary nutrient profiles and microbial populations of both substrates, resulting in
higher gas yields compared to processing food waste alone. Key factors affecting this process
include maintaining optimal temperature, pH, and microbial activity. The co-digestion
process also produces nutrient-rich digestate, which can be used as organic fertilizer, further
enhancing resource efficiency and sustainability. Saboohi & Hosseini (2025) mentioned
retreatment methods such as thermal and chemical treatments can break down complex
organic structures in food waste, making them more accessible to anaerobic bacteria and thus
increasing biogas yields. These treatments accelerate the digestion process and improve the
overall efficiency of biogas production. Gomez (2023) added that beyond food waste, the
Philippines has significant potential in utilizing agricultural residues such as rice straw, rice
hulls, and sugarcane bagasse. Projects like the Enhanced Rice Straw Biogas initiative have
demonstrated that using rice straw for biogas production can reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from rice farming by 24% to 38% and provide sustainable energy for agricultural
operations. Diversifying feedstock sources ensures a steady supply for biogas facilities and
enhances overall system resilience.

Co-digestion of food waste with agricultural residues and manure is a well-researched

strategy to enhance biogas production efficiency by optimizing nutrient balance as
carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) balance that food waste (high in carbon, C/N ~15–25) benefits from
mixing with nitrogen-rich substrates like manure (C/N ~5–20) for example co-digesting food
waste with poultry manure achieved a 63.1% methane content in biogas, outperforming
individual substrates, and a C/N ratio of 20–30 is optimal for microbial activity, as seen in
mixtures of food waste, cow dung, and agricultural residues (Lohani et al, 2020). Improving
microbial activity or combining substrates enhances biodegradability through complementary
nutrient profiles like food waste napier grass, this increased biogas yield by 1,161 mL/g VS
(67% methane) in two-stage anaerobic digestion (Kriwantoro et al, 2024), also food waste
cow dung or produced 164.8% more biogas compared to mono-digestion of cow dung alone
(Zamanzadeh et al, 2017), then food waste manure like mesophilic co-digestion yielded 26%
more methane than the sum of individual digestions (Otun et al, 2016).

Furthermore, stabilizing digestion processes for example pH buffering that manure’s

alkaline properties counteract acidity from food waste like maintaining pH 6.5–7.5 for
optimal methanogenesis (Otun et al, 2016), volatile fatty acid (VFA) mitigation that
co-digestion with manure reduces VFA accumulation, preventing process inhibition (Lohani
et al, 2020), and post-digestion treatments which thermal treatment (70°C, 1 hour) of
digestate increased residual organic matter degradation by up to 15%, enhancing overall
biogas recovery (Zamanzadeh et al, 2017). These optimizing nutrient balance, improving
microbial activity, and stabilizing digestion are processes that address limitations of
mono-digestion, such as nutrient deficiencies or inhibitory compounds, while increasing
methane yields.
 One of its major benefits lies in its dual function simultaneously managing waste and
generating clean energy. Essentially, biogas serves not only as a renewable energy source but
also as a vital component in recycling a wide array of waste materials, particularly from the
agro-industrial sector. However, despite these advantages, biogas production is
microbiologically complex and typically takes place in industrial or research laboratory
settings using various reactors and systems. In this study, conducted by Vogel et al., (2023)
they introduce a simple, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) biogas fermenter that is designed, tested, and
analyzed. A low-cost alternative to traditional biogas reactors for use in academic and private
labs, and as a practical tool to help spread awareness and understanding of biogas
technology’s role in advancing a global bioeconomy.

This study by Ojo & Ojo.,(2023) about Design modification, construction and
performance testing of a floating drum anaerobic digester focused on the design and
construction of an efficient floating drum digester for biogas production, through the
modification of an existing floating drum anaerobic digester to enhance its performance. The
modified system comprises a digester tank with a capacity of 262.20 liters and a gas-holder
tank with a capacity of 259.01 liters. To enable flotation during biogas generation, the
gas-holder was placed inside the digester tank with a clearance of 2 cm. As biogas
accumulates, the resulting pressure lifts the gas-holder, overcoming its weight. The digester
was charged with a mixture of cattle dung and water in a 2:1 ratio (by volume). Temperature
and time were the key parameters monitored during the biogas production process.
Combustible gas was first observed on the 13th day after loading the digester. The modified
system produced a total of 4,453.70 liters of biogas, compared to 4,324.38 liters from the
original design—an increase of approximately 3%. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a
statistically significant difference in gas output for the modified digester, with a p-value of
0.002 (p < 0.05), whereas the original system yielded a p-value of 0.251, indicating no
significant difference. These results confirm that the modified digester outperformed the
existing design in terms of biogas production.

Environmental and Economic Benefits of Adopting Biogas Systems

The environmental benefits of biogas technology are often highlighted, as a valid and
sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Together with the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, biogas can enhance energy security, thanks to its high energetic potential. As a
renewable energy source, it allows exploiting agricultural and zootechnical by-products and
municipal wastes, with a lower impact on air quality when compared to combustion-based
strategies for these biomasses, Paolini et al. (2018).
Based on the article published by Ahmed (2024), the production of biogas can offer
significant benefits to the economy such as reducing the energy cost, and generating revenue
for job creation and waste management. Biogas technology is that it is affordable and easy to
implement on a small scale, particularly for household use with minimal investment. On a
worldwide scale, the expenses associated with biogas production currently span a broad
spectrum, ranging from USD 2/MBtu to USD 20/MBtu (Million British Thermal Units).
Regional disparities are also prominent. For example, the average cost of biogas is around
USD 16/MBtu in Europe, while it’s USD 9/MBtu in Southeast Asia. Moreover,
approximately 70 to 95% of the overall biogas expenses are associated with the installation of
biodigesters. However, biogas can create revenue through surplus sales to the grid or
electricity generation, offering an additional source of income for biogas producers.
According to Ahmed in 2021, the biofuels sector provided 2.4 million jobs, with the majority
of the workforce involved in feedstock operations. The potential, therefore, for biogas to
create more jobs extends to a variety of areas, encompassing the construction and operation
of biogas plants, as well as the collection and processing of organic waste. Europe, China,
and the United States jointly account for 90% of global biogas production. In Europe, for
instance, both direct and indirect employment in the biogas industry has exhibited consistent
growth over the years within the European Union. For example, in 2021, this sector
employed 47,100 individuals, directly and indirectly.
Aside from energy-cost and job opportunities, it can be a solution for more than 105
billion tonnes of organic waste. Biogas systems provide us with cost-effective waste
management by treating organic waste from various sources. Biogas technology aids in
resolving public waste disposal and wastewater treatment challenges. Additionally, it helps
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane, offering financial benefits through
emissions reduction credits or carbon trading. According to CCAC Secretariat (2022), About
one-third of the world’s population— some 2.8 billion people— don’t have access to clean
cooking fuels and technology, meaning they’re still cooking and heating using wood and
manure, releasing toxic air pollutants into their households and the atmosphere. Biogas in
those settings can replace fuels such as wood and charcoal, reducing black carbon emissions
and forest degradation. Greenhouse gas emissions from cooking with non-renewable wood
fuels amount to about a gigaton of carbon every year, or about 2 per cent of global emissions.
Reducing emissions from cooking around the world can play a part in achieving the Paris
Agreement target of keeping global warming to 1.5˚C.
The CCAC Secretariat states that biogas can make important contributions to the
Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 of Zero Hunger by increasing agricultural
productivity and decreasing food insecurity through the production of biofertilizer, SDG 13
on Climate Action by burning methane from organic and animal waste, and SDG 7
Affordable and Clean Energy by increasing access to renewable energy. Supported by the
article Ahmed (2024) published that agricultural biogas production transforms agricultural
residues into green energy, offering farmers additional income and cost savings on fertilisers.
It also enables the replacement of traditional inputs with biogas slurry and biogas for cooking
and heating, leading to improved overall quality of life. This enhances stables, and farmyard
manure can increase livestock output as well as crop yields.
According to a brochure initiated by Lipp GmbH, the Philippines is an agricultural
country that has potential to generate large quantities of bio-waste and is committed to
attaining a sustainable and clean energy future. In 2016, the Philippines signed the Paris
Climate Accord and committed to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by 75% and to increase renewable energy sources to 35% by 2030. Since then, the
Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to lessen the Philippine’s dependence on fossil
fuels. There are several industrial-scale biogas plants in the Philippines that generate energy
from organic waste. Despite this development biogas production still plays a rather small role
as a renewable energy source. Biogas has accounted for less than 1% of the power generation
mix in 2020. According to a Philippines’ various agricultural activities produced 16 million
tons of agricultural waste every year, primarily from rice, palm oil, sugar, wood and coconut
industries. Thus waste can be used as feedstock for biogas production and significantly
reduced agricultural waste. Additionally, the Philippines relies heavily on coal to generate
power. However, the rising price of coal, increasing demand, and looming climate issues
increase the need to explore more sustainable energy sources such as biogas. This renewable
energy can help address power shortages and stabilize electric grids in addition to producing
heat and fuel.
Challenges and Successes in Urban Biogas Projects: Lessons from Implementation

A successful story of the urban biogas innovation system and processes in two
farming communities in Davao del Sur, Philippines was shared by Biñas, J. B., et al. (2019).
Innovation histories were traced through workshops, semi-structured interviews, observations
and document analysis. The paper shows that there were diverse innovation actors both from
public and private sectors. Restrictive attitudes and practices resulted in weak and limited
interactions among actors. Multi-actor interaction was weak, signifying a lack of innovation
actors that focus on creating, developing and strengthening linkages, networks and
partnerships. The lack of support in the socio-organisational institutions that constitute the
enabling environment within which innovation actors operate may lead to systemic failure.
This case study offers insights into the structures and processes of agricultural innovation.
Instead of being passive consumers of technology, farmers actively create and test new
technologies in their surroundings. Diverse players that engage, collaborate, and divide roles
are the ones who bring forth innovation. Even if biogas ideas have a platform, actors still
need to negotiate more. Governmental organizations could help these actors communicate
and negotiate. In order to manage agricultural innovation and correct system flaws, this study
may help researchers, policymakers, and innovation stakeholders.
In Muntinlupa City, the southernmost city in the National Capital Region, the
Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has started a project centered on
biogas digesters. Utilizing organic waste materials, biogas digesters are oxygen-free
machines that generate biogas for heating and cooking. The Environmental Sanitation Center
(ESC) in Muntinlupa City operates a functioning model of a biogas digester at the Packwood
Site in Barangay Tunasan. The study aims to assess the functionality, feasibility, and potential
for household utilization of the biogas digester among the residents of Barangay Tunasan.
The majority of respondents were unaware of the biogas digester but expressed willingness to
use it for domestic purposes. The biogas digester was operated using ostrich feces fed with
shredded vegetable waste from the public market. The project was found to be sustainable
and contributed to the city's waste management efforts. However, potential areas for
improvement were identified, and further studies were recommended to gather more
information (Jo, 2023).

Innovative strategies to enhance biogas production from food waste and agricultural
residues, offering a sustainable solution to energy insecurity and organic waste management
in the Philippines. Key findings demonstrate that optimized anaerobic digestion through
co-digestion strategies, pretreatment methods, and innovative digester designs can
significantly enhance biogas yields while addressing waste management challenges. The
study reveals critical gaps in policy support, infrastructure, and public awareness that hinder
widespread adoption, despite the country's abundant organic waste resources. Successful pilot
projects prove biogas's dual benefits: reducing greenhouse emissions while providing
renewable energy. For effective implementation, the research emphasizes the need for
stronger government policies, community engagement, and localized biogas systems tailored
to Philippine conditions. By addressing these barriers, biogas can play a pivotal role in the
nation's transition to clean energy and circular economy practices.

Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

Research Design
 This study adopts a quantitative research design, descriptive research method to ensure
comprehensive analysis. The quantitative component involves controlled experiments to
measure biogas production efficiency under varying conditions, such as different
pretreatment methods, temperature ranges, and retention times. Key metrics include biogas
yield, methane content, and organic waste reduction rates. We, the researchers, have a survey
to complete with Quiapo street vendors to assess practical challenges, safety concerns, and
usability preferences regarding DIY biogas digesters. This approach ensures that technical
performance data is balanced with real-world user feedback, providing a holistic
understanding of both the scientific and social dimensions of biogas adoption. Building a
baseline for further study or investigation, figuring out the frequency or prevalence of
particular behaviors or features, or gaining a comprehensive grasp of a topic are all common
uses for this type of research. The next step is usually data collection, which includes surveys,
observations, and product analysis.

Data Collection Procedures

Data collection follows a structured three-phase process. First, field surveys will be
conducted among Quiapo street vendors and households, with participants selected based on
their involvement in food waste generation (vendors: 1–8 kg daily; households: ≥0.5 kg
daily). Questionnaires will gather information on daily waste quantities, composition,
perceived barriers to biogas digester adoption (safety, cost, space constraints), and usability
preferences. Second, laboratory experiments will test food waste samples from both vendors
and households in small-scale digesters, recording biogas production rates, methane
percentages, and process stability under controlled conditions. Third, a prototype testing
phase will deploy portable digesters among selected vendors and households, monitoring
performance metrics such as fuel output, safety sensor reliability, ease of maintenance, and
user-specific challenges (space limitations for households). Secondary data from municipal
waste reports will supplement primary findings, ensuring a robust foundation for analysis.
The researchers will compile all survey and testing results to enhance the study’s credibility
and validity.

Sample and Population

The target population comprises street food vendors in Quiapo, Manila, generating 1–8 kg
of food waste daily, and Quiapo households producing ≥0.5 kg of food waste daily. A
stratified random sampling technique will be used for vendors to ensure representation across
types (carinderias, kiosks, mobile stalls), while households will be selected via cluster
sampling by barangay (neighborhood unit) to reflect socio-economic diversity. The study
aims for a sample size of 20-30 vendors and 10-20 households, prioritizing participants with
consistent waste patterns and willingness to engage in long-term testing. This sample size
balances statistical significance with practical feasibility, enabling meaningful quantitative
insights while maintaining manageable data collection. Vendors or households with irregular
waste patterns, unwillingness to participate, or inadequate space for digester installation will
be excluded to ensure data reliability.

Research Instrument

The instrument used in this study is the questionnaire. This method is chosen for its ability
to accurately and efficiently collect data from the respondents. The compatibility of this
method with the study is also considered, as it can gather data from a non-researcher.
The questionnaire is synthesised according to the objective of the research. Each specific
question on waste generation patterns, safety concerns, cost considerations, and design
preferences is made to collect information regarding research objectives. The data collected
from the respondent is through a scaling method strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, and strongly disagree. These researcher-made questions will be validated by our
Research Adviser on Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology. These
tools ensure structured, measurable, and replicable data collection

Statistical Treatment of Data

The following statistical tools were used for an accurate, valid, and reliable analysis and
interpretation of the data:
1.​ Percentage. Commonly used in presentations of data in research. They can indicate
concentrations, probabilities, or comparisons, and they are frequently used to report
changes in values. Ulz, (2022)
2.​ Weighted Mean. The arithmetical average when all the scores are to be added and
divided by the number of items was acquired using the formula.

This was used to answer sub-problems nos. 1 and 2.

Formula: x=∑fx/n
Where:
f = Frequency
n = Total of respondents

The Five Point Likert Scale Method was employed to assess the respondents'
evaluation regarding the project entitled 'Enhancing Biogas Machine
Efficiency from Food Waste.'”

A. Enhancing Biogas Machine Efficiency from Food Waste Scale

Range Value Verbal Interpretation ​ Symbol

5 4.20 – 5.00 Strongly Agree SA

4 3.40 – 4.19 Agree​ A
 3 2.60 – 3.39 Neutral N
2 1.80 – 2.59 Disagree DA
1 1.00 – 1.79 Strongly Disagree SD

3.​ Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is a statistical test

used to assess the difference between the means of more than two groups. At its core,
ANOVA allows you to simultaneously compare arithmetic means across groups. You
can determine whether the differences observed are due to random chance or if they
reflect genuine, meaningful differences. Kenton, (2024)
Formula:
𝑀𝑆𝑇
​ ​ ​ F=
​ ​ ​ 𝑀𝑆𝐸
Where:
F = ANOVA coefficient
MST = mean sum of squares due to treatment
MSE = mean sum of squares due to error

Computation of Parameters

Organic Content (VS – Volatile Solids)

Definition:
​ Amount of biodegradable organic matter in the feedstock.
How to Compute:

●​ Dry the sample at 105°C to get Total Solids (TS).

●​ Burn the dried sample at 550°C to get the ash content.
VS (%) = TS (%) - Ash (%)
To Compute the Mass of Volatile Solid:
VS (kg) = Food Waste (kg) x TS x VS
Typical Food Waste Values:
●​ TS: ~15–30%
●​ VS: ~80–90% of TS

Computation:
60 Liters Drum/Digester
45 L = 31.5 kg food waste
Depending on its composition (Veg.,meat, liq) but a common average density is
0.6 - 0.8 kg/L
45 L x 0.7 kg/L = 31.5 kg of Food Waste
Organic Content:
(31.5 kg) – Food Waste
VS (kg/d) = (31.5 kg)(0.225)(0.85)
Total Solid (25%)
= 6.02 kg

Moisture Content
Definition:
​ The proportion of water in the feedstock.
Formula:

Target Range:
●​ Optimal: 70–90% moisture for digestion.

Computation:

=74.999% or 75%

Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio (C/N Ratio)

Definition:
​ The ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the feedstock. Balances microbial nutrition.
Ideal Range:
●​ Optimal: 20:1 to 30:1
How to Adjust:
●​ High C/N (e.g., dry leaves, cardboard) → Add nitrogen (e.g., manure, urea).
●​ Low C/N (e.g., cooked food, meat) → Add carbon-rich materials.
Estimate:
●​ Use reference tables or lab analysis.
●​ Food waste average C/N: 15–25:1

Reference Values (Estimated)

Material Carbon (%) Nitrogen (%) C/N Ratio

Vegetable waste 40 2.0 20:1

Fruit waste 42 1.8 23:1

Cooked food 48 3.5 14:1

Rice husk 56 0.8 70:1

Cow dung 40 2.1 19:1

Sawdust 50 0.1 500:1

If you mix multiple feedstocks (e.g. food waste + cow dung), use this weighted average ​
Formula:

●​

Where:

​ Ci = Carbon content of material i

​ Ni = Nitrogen content of material i
​ Wi = Weight fraction of material i in the mixture

Computation:
15.5 kg cooked food (C = 48%, N = 3.5%)
9 kg Veg. Waste (C = 40%, N = 2.0%)
7 kg Fruit Waste (C = 42%, N = 1.8%)

Total C = (15.5 × 0.48) + (9 × 0.40) + (7 × 0.42)

= 7.44 + 3.6 + 2.94
= 14 kg C
Total N = (15.5 × 0.035) + (9 × 0.02) + (7 × 0.018)
= 0.5425 + 0.18 + 0.126
= 0.8485 Kg N

C/N Ratio = 14 / 0.8485 = 16.50 : 1

Mesophilic Temperature
Definition:
​ Operating temperature for anaerobic digestion.
Range:
●​ Mesophilic: 30–38°C (optimal ~35°C)
●​ Use passive solar heating or insulation to maintain this in DIY setups.​

Daily Biogas Production

Formula:
​ Biogas (m³/day) = Feedstock (kg VS/day) x Specific Biogas Yield (m³/kg VS)
Food Waste Values:
●​ Biogas Yield: ~0.4 to 0.6 m³/kg VS
Computation:
Daily Biogas Production
Biogas (m³/day)= 6.02 kg VS/day × 0.5 m³/kg VS
= 3.01 m³/day

Specific Biogas Yield (SBY)

Definition:
​ The volume of biogas produced per unit mass of volatile solids (VS) added. It tells
how efficiently your feedstock converts to biogas.

Typical SBY Values

Feedstock SBY (m³/kg VS)

 Food Waste 0.4 – 0.6

Cow Dung 0.2 – 0.3

Pig Manure 0.3 – 0.45

Grass/Plant Waste 0.25 – 0.35

Formula:

Computation:
Specific Biogas yield​
SBY= 3.01 m³ / 6.02 kg VS​
SBY= 0.5 m³/kg VS

Retention Time (Hydraulic Retention Time, HRT)

Definition:
​ Time the material stays in the digester.

Mesophilic Digestion:
●​ Typical HRT: 20–40 days

Computation:
Retention Time (RT) days​
= 0.06 m³ / 0.005 m³​
= 12 days

Digester Capacity

Computation:
Digester Capacity
DV (m³) = 0.05 m³ / 12 days =
= 0.006 × 12 days
= 0.06 m³ digester or 60 Liters