Brazilian agricultural and livestock substrates used in co‐digestion for energy purposes: Composition analysis and valuation aspects

Abstract

AbstractBrazil's agriculture and livestock annually generates enormous amounts of biomass, which varies in its biochemical composition. Many studies have pointed out the benefits of using this biomass as a substrate for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD), mostly via the co‐digestion (co‐AD) pathway. The agriculture and livestock of southeastern Brazil – sugarcane, orange, corn, soybean, coffee, cattle, swine, and poultry – have together demonstrated their potential for producing biomass that can be used for maximizing methane production. Filter cake, vinasse, straws, bagasse, mucilage, pulp, washing water, thin stillage, and manures also have specific organic matter and nutrient content that can be evaluated from an economic perspective as co‐products of biorefineries. Some are costless but others have acquisition costs in the agricultural market. Comparing the recent biochemical compositions cited in scientific literature (technical parameter) and to know the costs (valuation parameter) is crucial for farmers and investors make decisions in large‐scale. This study conducted a bibliographical survey of biomass generated in Brazilian agroindustry as a co‐substrate for energy production. The analysis summarized two tables: 1‐ a compilation of biochemical composition of the main co‐substrates, and 2‐ the acquisition or opportunity costs, discussing innovative aspects in the context of biogas production. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.