Flexigester V10

Market Suggested Retail Price

$5,000.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Flexigester systems have been designed and developed by Sustainable OneWorld Technologies C.I.C. (SOWTech) in joint partnership with Butyl Products Ltd who manufacture and distribute the systems.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The Flexigester V10 is manufactured and delivered on a per demand basis by Butyl Products Ltd.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademarked

User Provision Model

Users purchase the product for delivery by air from Butyl Products Ltd, the sole manufacturer.

Distributions to Date Status

12 ^{Interview with representative}

Design Specifications

The Flexigester is made from butyl rubber which is impervious to both liquids and gases. This stops waste water soaking into the ground and polluting soil and water courses and controls odours from rotting waste. An area of 16 x 3 m is required within which to dig the 12 x 1.5 x 0.75 m hole for the Flexigester V10. Technical specifications:  

Technical Support

All technical support is provided by the manufacturer, and each item is supplied with an instruction manual.^{Interview with representative}

Replacement Components

Some parts of the system are replaceable, and the Flexigester can be repaired if it becomes damaged.^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

The manufacturer expects the Flexigester to remain operational for 10 years.^{Interview with representative} The Flexigester is made from Butyl, which is a resilient and robust material, and which can be maintained with simple hand tools. Butyl products have been in use for periods well in excess of 10 years in tropical and subtropical climates. The Flexigester comes with a 12 month warranty.^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Manufacturers specify a minimum retention time of 30 days, biofertiliser output up to 101 t/yr. An estimate of the value of biofertiliser and biogas output up to 8 m3/day, equivalent to up to 9-17 kg wood/day.

Vetted Performance Status

Kite International conducted a program called SimpliSafi in which Flexigesters were used. The project was supposed to be the world's first simplified sewerage and biogas system - a community-centred sanitation and clean energy solution. During the three year couse of the project, the following impacts were observed:

• Construction of three simplified sewerage networks, providing sustainable sanitation to over 450 community members of the informal settlements in Dar Es Salaam.
• Development of an effective method to empower the local community, organising local Sanitation User Associations to manage each network.
• Installation of a Flexigester, adapting it to function as part of the world’s first integrated simplified sewerage and biogas network– including evidence of proof of concept with the successful production and testing of burnable gas in the community.
• Build and trial designs from the University of Cambridge that aimed to concentrate solar power to process the flexigester output to create biofertiliser and greywater, closing the loop and achieving zero waste sanitation.

Safety

There are some potential dangers to running the biogas plant: noise, hazardous waste material disposal, etc. Adequate ventilation, appropriate precautions, good work practices, and adequate personal protective equipment will minimize the dangers associated with biogas.

Complementary Technical Systems

Gas stoves (not manufactured by Butyl Ltd.) can enable use of biogas for cooking.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The original Flexigester was designed with input from the International Foundation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the first version was funded by the IFRC in Malawi.^{Interview with representative}

Other Information

The Flexigester is available in a variety of sizes from 10 to 80 m³ allowing it to be used in a variety of different situations. Flexigester distributes another product, Flexigester Sewage Isolation Bag (SIB). There is a series of resources providing additional information about the product on the Flexigester site, including the Flexigester V10 brochure. Some additional resources on the role of biogas globally are also available through SOWTech's site.