Ragunan Converts Organic Waste and Animal Manure into Biogas

Ragunan Wildlife Park in South Jakarta produces 9 cubic meters of waste per day. Of this amount, only 7 cubic meters have been managed.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Ragunan Ubah Sampah Organik dan Kotoran Hewan Jadi Biogas

KOMPAS/ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Officials stirred animal feces and organic waste that will be processed using a biodigester machine at the Ragunan Wildlife Park in Jakarta on Tuesday (19/9/2023). The biodigester machine is capable of processing two tons of animal feces and organic waste every day and producing up to 234 kWh of electricity.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Ragunan Wildlife Park in South Jakarta is developing a system for managing organic waste or animal waste to become biogas and fertilizer, as well as a center for learning about waste. An investment of IDR 1.6 billion is aimed at addressing the 2 cubic meters of unmanaged waste every day.

The Ragunan Wildlife Park produces 9 cubic meters of waste per day. Out of this amount, only 7 cubic meters are managed. The remaining 2 cubic meters are disposed of in a final dump site.

On Tuesday (19/9/2023), the management worked with PT Paiton Energy to manage organic waste or animal manure using eight biodigester machines. The result is biogas with a potential of 234 kWh of electricity, as well as liquid fertilizer and compost for the needs of the Ragunan Wildlife Park.

Also Read: Bekasi River Polluted, Baku Water Channel Relocated to Kalimalang

Head of the Wildlife Park Management Unit at Ragunan Endah Rumiyati stated that biodigester machines are capable of managing up to 2 tons of organic waste or animal waste. Specifically, the animal waste comes from elephants, capybara, banteng, and nilgai.

"A single elephant can produce 35-50 kg of waste. Unmanaged waste is collected in a septic tank. With this biodigester, we can maximize waste management from 14 elephants," he said.

Initially, organic waste and animal excrement were placed into a biodigester. The waste was mixed with water for fermentation. Some of the biodigester tubes were buried in the ground to keep the temperature warm and the installation roof was made of transparent material for lighting purposes.

With this biodigester, we can maximize the waste management of 14 elephants.

The fermentation process produces biogas steam. This steam enters a tube that is connected to a biogas purification machine from methane. The goal is to reduce unwanted impurities in the gas.

Officials boiled eggs using biogas generated from a biodigester machine at Ragunan Wildlife Park in Jakarta, on Tuesday (19/9/2023).

Pure biogas can be used as electricity and fuel. Meanwhile, other results from the fermentation of organic waste and animal manure are collected in two containers. They are then turned into liquid fertilizer and compost.

"Electricity will be utilized for the learning center activities about waste. If fertilizer is still used internally," he said.

The waste learning center consists of an exhibition area about waste education, an interactive area, an incinerator machine museum, and a mini-library. The management will expand access to waste management and learning center to make it accessible to visitors.

Also Read: Waste Management, Jakarta Prioritizes RDF over ITF

President Director of PT Paiton Energy Koichiro Miyazaki added that the cooperation between the two parties has been established since 2018. Initially, it involved the support of 20 electric motorcycles and 6 electric cars for the operations of the Ragunan Wildlife Park.

The management subsequently developed an organic waste management program at the University of Indonesia by the end of 2021. A similar program was then implemented together with the Ragunan Wildlife Park.

"The limited land can be overcome with waste management technology. This technology is expected to solve and also preserve the environment," he said.

The officers displayed the compost that had been processed using a biodigester machine at Ragunan Wildlife Park, Jakarta, on Tuesday (19/9/2023).

The joint project between Ragunan Wildlife Park and PT Paiton Energy has also attracted the interest of the Jakarta City Parks and Forest Department. Head of the department, Bayu Meghantara, is considering implementing similar technology in the scope of neighborhood units to reduce waste production while also serving as an alternative source of energy.

"If possible, this technology can be duplicated in villages," he said.