Biogas production potential from animal farm waste in Bangladesh: Case studies of two selected farms

Abstract

AbstractIncreasing prices of conventional energy sources and ongoing environmental pollution have encouraged policymakers to search for sustainable energy resources. In developing countries, livestock waste is often mismanaged and negatively impacts the environment. Bioenergy production from agricultural and animal wastes can be a viable solution. This study conducted a month‐wise survey on a multipurpose farm and a dairy farm in Chattogram, Bangladesh, to estimate the bioenergy potential from farm livestock waste. Based on the survey, mathematical modeling was applied to estimate the selected farm's theoretical bioelectricity, biogas and biofertilizer production potential. The analysis shows that the multipurpose and dairy farm have an annual biogas production potential of 209,660.2 and 1,205,035.5 m3, generating 3.77E+05 and 2.17E+06 kWhyr−1 of bioelectricity, respectively. The multipurpose farm and the dairy farm could generate 982.03 and 16092.49 tons of bio manure yearly and had an annual biofertilizer potential of 64.36 and 2090.91 tons. Both environmental and economic analyses show that both farms have good greenhouse gas mitigation potential and can earn significant revenue by selling electricity and biofertilizer in the market. The outcome can provide valuable guidelines for policymakers to invest in bioenergy production from farm animal waste.