EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL WASTES ENERGY POTENTIAL FROM SINALOA, MEXICO

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In Sinaloa, agricultural and livestock practices are extensive but proportionally generate organic wastes that subsequently produce greenhouse gases and negatively impact water bodies. In this research, a laboratory-scale up-flow anaerobic reactor was configured and evaluated to treat combined agricultural and livestock wastes. Subsequently, the quality and yield of the biogas were used to make an energetic and economic comparison with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The results were also projected for the energy needs of the pilot community from which the waste was obtained. The reactor used was a 2.4 L reactor operated continuously at 45±2 °C and HRT of 7.2 d, with an organic load of 15000 mg/L. Carbon/nitrogen ratios of 25:1 and 32:1 were evaluated. With the 25:1 ratio, 1650 mL/d of biogas were obtained. With this ratio, greater stability was observed, and a higher proportion of methane. On average, 70% was methane (once stabilization was reached), converting it into biofuel. The projection made for Sinaloa is that 59.65 m3 of methane could be obtained per year, which is equivalent to $2.25 million per year. All the information generated serves as a precedent for large-scale technical and economic feasibility studies. All these studies will allow the integral use of agricultural industry waste, mainly in rural communities, which will also improve the population's quality of life. Keywords: methane yield, biofuel, agricultural wastes management, methane, Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket, carbon/nitrogen ratio