Features of anaerobic digestion plants in the brazilian agricultural sector

Abstract

• Most of the anaerobic digestion plants in Brazil are in agriculture and livestock. • Agriculture and livestock produce a small part of the biogas of Brazil. • Most anaerobic digestion plants are small. • The number of biogas plants in agriculture and livestock has grown exponentially. • Most of the units produce electricity. In the context of Brazilian agriculture, anaerobic digestion (AD) is an opportunity, and there are technical and economic conditions to explore. Thus, this study investigated the characteristics of anaerobic digestion plants in Brazilian farming. We carried out a descriptive statistical analysis of anaerobic digestion plants in the agricultural and livestock sector in Brazil. The anaerobic digestion plants in operation have increased exponentially from 2003 to 2020. About 79% of the anaerobic digestion plants in Brazil use agricultural and livestock waste, but combined, they only produce 11% of the total biogas; 31% of these plants produce between 150,000 and 200,000 Nm³/biogas per year, and 78% produce less than 500,000 Nm³/biogas per year. About 89% of all AD plants in the agricultural and livestock sector produce electrical energy. For most Brazilian rural properties, a small AD plant capable of producing electricity is ideal. Our results will facilitate the development of technologies focused on the needs of rural properties, and we believe that this is one of the keys to promoting a circular bioeconomy in agriculture.