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AIDG's 2005 Annual Report |
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Page 4 of 6
AIDG TECHNOLOGIES
Biodigesters
  
Biodigesters convert waste from animal husbandry to a
sanitized fertilizer and methane gas for cooking, heating, lighting,
electricity or refrigeration.
Our HDPE biodigesters are made primarily out of
rolled tubular 250 micron HDPE, with PVC pipe elements, and custom gaskets made
from bicycle tires.
Solar Water Heaters
  
AIDG solar water heating systems are
thermosiphon heaters that require no electricity. Thermosiphon heaters have
been around since the turn of the century and are used all over Central Asia.
They have a 36 month payback period when compared to common electric water
heating.
Windmills
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The Axial flux windmill design can produce from
1 to 3.3 kilowatts depending on blade and rotor size. They are appropriate for
community centers, schools, orphanages, etc. They are made from wood, auto
salvage quality wheel rotors and spindles, fiberglass, copper wire, magnets and
welded steel water pipe.
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Ram Pumps
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A simple pump made from PVC pipe and commercial
plumbing fittings that uses the continuous flow of a large body of water to
create pressure differentials that pump a small body of water over 100 meters.
They are extremely rugged and can last 10 years without gasket replacement. |
Water Filtration Systems
Biosand filtration is the most common form of
water filtration in use today in rural regions. Most biosand filters are larger
community scale systems that are difficult to maintain. We implement home scale
easily maintainable filters that are available at a low cost to families.
Micro-hydroelectric
Micro-hydro setups use stream or river water
diverted with PVC pipe in mountainous or hilly areas to a drop where the water
is shot from custom jet into a custom Pelton turbine. Power outputs can range
from 300W for a small rebuilt alternator, to 50 kW for a large generator. We
produce custom electronic load controllers to regulate these systems.
Technology Example: Biodigester at Casa Guatemala
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The orphanage Casa Guatemala is a home for abandoned, abused, and orphaned children on the Rio Dulce. The AIDG installed a biodigester for Casa Guatemala's small pig center, a facility of 30 pigs, and is seeking funds for a larger installation for their 300-pig facility. The smaller biodigester produces 3 hours of cook gas daily and stops waste from contaminating the river. The larger biodigester would provide enough gas to run an incinerator, generator and kitchen stoves, as well as provide a solution for a major point source pollution problem for the river and health concern for the orphanage.
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Adjusting the pressure strap on the biogas storage at Casa Guatemala
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