Cheese whey generation, management and potential for biogas production in Mexico and the State of Jalisco

Abstract

ABSTRACT Pollution of water bodies and process upset in treatment plants in Mexico by cheese whey discharges is a matter of concern where scant inspection and law enforcement may aggravate the situation. This study analyzes the current state of environmental regulatory compliance and the impacts of whey discharges with particular emphasis on the country’s leading dairy-producing state, Jalisco. Subsequently, cheese whey characteristics and current valorisation volume and uses are discussed in detail. From there, anaerobic digestion is presented as a key technology for cheese whey treatment mainly to comply with wastewater regulations, with recovery of biogas as bonus. From there, the volume of cheese whey discharged to the environment and potential equivalence in biogas and electricity production is calculated considering both the technologies commonly used in industrial applications and for farms and small producers. Also, the potential electricity generation and prevented atmospheric impact are calculated and framed against the current Mexican energy and emissions inventory. Finally, a review of past efforts to disseminate the use of anaerobic digesters to produce biogas from organic waste in Mexico is undertaken, followed by a discussion of the basic requirements for a strategy to sustainably manage and treat whey discharges.