International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

A review of peat deposits in Rwanda

    , , ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Institute of Life and Earth Science, Pan African University, Ibadan, Nigeria and Department of Geology, University of Ibadan , Nigeria and School of Mining and Geology, UR-College of Science and Technology, Rwanda
  • 2Institute of Life and Earth Science, Pan African University, Ibadan, Nigeria and Department of Geology, University of Ibadan , Nigeria
  • 3Institute of Life and Earth Science, Pan African University, Ibadan, Nigeria and Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
  • 4School of Mining and Geology, UR-College of Science and Technology, Rwanda

Int. Res. J. Earth Sci., Volume 9, Issue (2), Pages 20-27, August,25 (2021)

Abstract

The peat deposits in Rwanda are distributed over an area of 50,000 ha. The studies show that Rwanda has one hundred fifty five (155) million tone of dry peat, which can produce electrical energy, and this deposit is sufficient for Rwanda to achieve energy target. These deposits maybe used for about 30 years. Hereafter, it was felt crucial to do mapping to identify probable locations of peats and find out respective energy potential. The result of the study and assessment of peat to power in Rwanda shows that the average in-situ ash content, in-situ moisture content and in-situ bulk density of the collected peat samples are 36% wt, 70.8% wt and 1112kg/m3 respectively. Their average thickness ranges from 0.9 to 7.8m. In Finland, peat was used as fuel in 1996 and produce 10% of total installed capacity. Rwanda has the same operational power plant in Gishoma; Rusizi District generating 15MW connected to the national electrical grid. A peat-fuelled power plant is under construction and is expected to generate 80 MW. This plant, once completed, is expected to connect 50% more household into national grid before the end of 2018. Thus, this effort along with other projects will increase electrical power from 208 MW to 563 MW in 2024. Peat deposit is expected to generate 500 Mega watt electrical powers during 30 years. Although an effort was done to use peat as fuel, the power plant is still vulnerable to the lack of good quality of dry peat to operate and thus efforts are on to develop suitable technology for exploitation.

References

  1. Andriesse, J. P. (1988)., Nature and Management of tropical peat soils (No. 59)., Food & Agriculture Org, Soil Bulletin.
  2. Schora, F.C., and Punwani, D.V. (1980)., An Energy Alternative, Vienna., Energy Research abstracts, 8, 25289-34979.
  3. Sarkki, J., Griffin, F., Scully, S., and Flynn, T. (2012)., CFB technology in ESB peat: Burning power stations., 21st International Conference, ESB, Ireland, Naples, and Italy.
  4. Ekono (1992)., Rwanda Peat Master Plan, Kigali., Final report.
  5. Pajunen, H. (1996)., Mires as late Quaternary accumulation basins in Rwanda and Burundin, Central Africa., Geological Survey of Finland, Bulletin, Vol. 384.
  6. Namata. B. (2014)., East African: Growing Demand Switches on Peat Company to Seek Capital Injection, Nairobi.,
  7. PEC (Peat Energy Company) (2018)., Area of Operation: Energy and Mining., Online, http://www.epd-rwanda.com/ our-members-kigali.html (Accessed July 20, 2018).
  8. Staub, J. R., Esterle, J. S., and Raymond, A. L. (1991)., Comparative geomorphologic analysis of Central Appalachian coal beds and Malaysian peat deposits. In Caol: Formation, occurrence and related properties., Bull. Soc. Geol. Fr, 162(2), 339-352.
  9. Dehmer, J. (1992)., Petrology and organic geochemistry of peat samples from a raised bog of Kalimantan (Borneo)., Org. Geochem, 20(3), 340-362.
  10. Fernandez-Alonso, M., Cutten, H., Waelec, D., Tack, L., Tahon A., Baudet, D., Barritt S.D. (2012)., The Mezoproterozoic Karagwe-Ankole Belt (formerly the NE Kibara Belt): The result of prolonged extensional intracratonic basin development punctuated by two short-lived far-field compressional events., Precambrian Research, 216, 63-86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.precamres.2012.06.007
  11. Friso de Clercq, Philippe Muchez, Stijn Dewaele & Adrian Boyce (2008)., The Tungsten mineralisation at Nyakabingo and Gifurwe (rwanda): Preliminary results., Geologica Belgica, 11/3-4, 251-258.
  12. Schlüter, T. (2008)., Geological atlas of Africa 978-3-540-29144-2., Springer-Verlag, Berlin. Heidelberg New York. p. 307.
  13. Theophile Mugerwa, Digne Edmond Rwabuhungu Rwatangabo, O.A. Ehinola and I.A. Oladosu (2018)., Rwanda Peat deposits in Rwanda; an alternative to energy sources., Energy Reports, 5(2019), 1151-115.
  14. Del Rio, J. C., Gonzalez-Vila, F. J., & Martin, F. (1992)., Variation in the content and distribution of biomarkers in two closely situated peat and lignite deposits., Organic geochemistry, 18(1), 67-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/0146-6380(92)90144-M.
  15. Cohen, D.A., Spackman, S., and Raymond, J. R. (1987)., Interpreting the characteristics of coal seams from chemical. Physical and petrographic studies of peat deposit., Geological Society Special Publication, 32, 107-125. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1987.032.01.08.
  16. Lindström O. (1980)., The technology of peat., Ambio, 9(6), 309-313.
  17. Vitikka, A and Lahtinen, P. (2013)., Rwanda Peat Master Plan Update., Final Report.
  18. Jean de Dieu K. Hakizimana, Sang-Phil Yoon, Tae-Jin Kang, Hyung-Taek Kim, Young-Shin Jeon and Young-Chan Choi (2016)., Potential for peat-to-power usage in Rwanda and associated implications., Energy Strategy Reviews, 13-14, 222-235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.esr. 2016.04.001
  19. EDCL (2014)., Detailed study and assessment of peat bogs in Rwanda and their Potential use as a source of fuel for power generation., Final assessment report, 2014.
  20. BIS (2003)., Methods of test for Coal and Coke., Second revision of IS: 1350. Part I, Proximate analysis. Bureau of Indian Standard, pp.1 -29.
  21. Fatma Hoş-Çebi & Sadettin Korkmaz (2015)., Organic geochemistry of Ağaçbaşı Yayla Peat Deposits, Köprübaşı/ Trabzon, NE Turkey., International Journal of coal geology, 146, 155-165. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coal. 2015.05.007.