DownloadMarch 16, 2009 issue
MCCer’s biodigesters a green energy source in Brazil
By Cathryn Clinton Mennonite Central CommitteeAKRON, Pa. — After graduating with a master’s degree in mechanical science and engineering, Joel Krehbiel was considering teaching or pursuing a doctorate.
Orlando Cavalcante, Keith Yoder, Michael Spee and Joel Krehbiel fill a biodigester, which captures methane from organic material to use for cooking gas. — Photo by Cristina Farias Yoder/MCC
Instead, he signed up for an engineer position in Brazil with Mennonite Central Committee’s SALT program.
Krehbiel, of Moundridge, Kan., is one of 54 Canadian and U.S. young adults participating in one-year international assignments through SALT, which stands for Serving and Learning Together. Another 56 international young adults are serving in Canada and the U.S. through MCC’s International Volunteer Exchange Program. Nine young adults serve in the Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network, a joint effort of MCC and Mennonite World Conference.
Krehbiel’s work focuses on biodigesters, a new alternative energy source project for MCC in Brazil. Krehbiel lives in Monteiro, in the northeast state of Paraiba. The increasing cost of propane has caused many people to return to firewood or charcoal for cooking purposes. This is an environmental problem because of the deforestation that results, and the household smoke causes illness in families.
A biodigester is a container that captures methane from decomposing organic material and pipes it to a kitchen to be used for cooking gas.
Soon after he arrived in Monteiro, Krehbiel studied biodigesters and helped build one. He also demonstrated the use of it.
Two months later, Krehbiel visited Luzaneti Maria de Brito Silva at Serafim Santos da Silva, where his first biodigester work was done. It had taken some time for the gas to work, but they told him they had finally cooked with it and had enough for their needs. Luzaneti also said she hadn’t been coughing nor having problems with her eyes anymore.
“They were so happy to finally use this gas,” Krehbiel said. “This is the first biodigester that I’ve worked with to begin producing gas, so it’s a feeling of relief and accomplishment.”
Learning about biodigesters and sharing that knowledge with others has been a difficult but rewarding process, Krehbiel said.
It is a joy to work with people who are so appreciative. One family insists on feeding him two meals even if he is only working there for a short period of time.
Comments
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I'm very happy today coming across this article of yours, it interests me so much as this is a program I'm pursuing also in my country.
The issue of realizing a functional biogas system from biodegradable waste has been a dream of mine.
I'll like to benefit from this research of your also if you please,because biodegradable waste is in abundance in my country.
I'll be glad to hear from you soo. bravo you are doing a great Job.
yours faithfully,
Uwaoma.
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