Sistema Biobolsa

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$7,568.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product is distributed by Sistema Biobolsa itself and a network of distributors in all the targeted regions in Mexico and Nicaragua.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Nopalimex.

Countries

Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, India, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru

Manufacturing/Building Method

The Biobolsa is manufactured in Mexico by a standard series production line.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

Interested buyers must contact the manufacturer. Biobolsa requires the following information to confirm the viability of the project:

• Description of the organization, if it is a school, university, NGO or government institution.
  Objective of the program.
• Description of the main objective of the program: waste treatment, energy production, food safety, etc.
• Target region to carry out the project. Description of the country, state and municipality in which the project is being considered.
• Number of beneficiaries contemplated.
• Description of estimated number of beneficiaries for whom you want to install the system or if you are looking to launch a call or search for a standard.

Users can also obtain the product from local distributors like Tecnosol in Nicaragua.

Distributions to Date Status

4,756 as of 2018.

Design Specifications

The Biobolsa has two main components, a reactor and the tubes and assemblies, The reactor is made with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) geomembrane of 1 to 1.5 mm thickness and the tubes and assemblies are made of hydraulic and sanitary PVC. The Biobolsa has 11 base sizes of reactors, with capacity to operate from 4 m³ to 40 m³ of liquid phase. The dimensions for each base size can be found in the company's catalog.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

There is a free technical support provided by Sistema Biobolsa's technicians:

• An initial diagnostics is made by the technicians.
•  On the day of installation, there is a first training on how to use the system and how to use biogas.
• After installation, there are three compulsory visits that include training: 1 After 30 days, technical visit with a training on biogas, 2 After 90 days, technical visit with a training on biol, and 3 After 180 days, technical visit with an evaluation of adoption and impact.

A Customer's Installation manual available.

Replacement Components

Sistema Biobolsa provides a replacement service.

Lifecycle

The Biobolsa lasts over 15 years. The geo-membrane, tested in lab under UV radiations, has an estimated lifetime of 50 years.^{Interview with manufacturer in 2018}.There is 1 year warranty on any manufacturing defect. Manufacturers also provide 20 year warranty on the geo-membrane.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Performance targets are established depending on the climate and the type of animal manure used. Manufacturers specify the following target gas production: 14.6 m³, 9.7 m³, 5.8 m³ for the 40 m³ size for the following climate conditions: hot climate (>23°C), temperate climate (15°C to 22°C) cold climate (<15°C) respectively.  The manufacturers have a Sizing Table available so that end users can look for their best size option and production.

Vetted Performance Status

None.

Safety

Since extreme caution is necessary when working with biogas, farmers are strongly encouraged to put a wiring around the system to restrict access. They also have to follow a formation taught by Sistema Biobolsa. Adequate ventilation, appropriate precautions, good work practices, and adequate personal protective equipment will minimize the dangers associated with biogas.

Complementary Technical Systems

The company also offers other products that can be adapted to use the biogas produced by the Biobolsa like burners, stoves, water heaters and biogas motors.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Sistema Biobolsa is certified by B-Corporations. It also has the IS0 9001 certification.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Evaluation methods

Sistema Biobolsa developed their own criteria. They rely on traceability of each component from the manufacturing plant to field installation. ^{Interview with manufacturer}

Other Information

The design allows the interconnection of Biobolsa, aiming at increasing the system’s treatment capacity volume from 50m³ to 240 m³ in liquid phase.

Sistema Biobolsa has won many awards and recognitions: Social Business of the year, 2010 Businesses in Development (BiD Network); Ashden Award Finalists 2010; Green Tech Challenge Finalists; 2nd place Iniciativa México 2011; International Development Exchange Grant; Switzer Environmental Leadership Fellow; Echoing Green Finalists 2012; Fellow Ashoka, New Ventures México Negocio; Top 10 Entrepreneur of Latin America in 2012 by Univision; Buckminster Fuller Challenge 2014 Finalists.

Expert advisors have indicated that polyethylene, the main material, is cheap but has a shorter lifetime than other quality materials such as PVC (only the fittings are of PVC).