Abstract
Covered lagoon biodigesters (CLB) have been widespread in Brazil in the treatment of pig manure. However, the quantification of biogas production in CLB using mathematical models is still limited and scarce. This study aimed to evaluate and compare six mathematical models—Chen-Hashimoto (Chen, 1983), CETESB (2006), COD Conversion (Chernicharo, 2016), IPCC (2006), Deng (Deng et al., 2014), and modified Stover-Kincannon (Yu et al., 1998)—usually used to estimate methane (CH 4 ), and propose improvements to the models, if necessary. The results were compared with the monitored production (P actual ) in a farm with CLB using the t-test (α = 5%). The Chen-Hashimoto, IPCC, Deng, and modified Stover-Kincannon models showed no statistical difference compared to P actual (405.0 m 3 CH 4 d −1 ), whereas the CETESB and COD Conversion models presented no statistical difference after the proposed improvements. All models can be considered reliable for estimating volumetric methane production after the adaptations, being relevant tools for diagnosis and decision-making regarding the energy recovery of biogas with CLB operation in pig farms.
Highlights
Pig farming is an activity of paramount importance for the economic and social development of Brazil, generating employment and income (Nandorf et al, 2021)
Among the anaerobic digestion technologies for animal waste treatment, the covered lagoon biodigester (CLB), called among Brazilian producers as “Canadian biodigester”, is the most used in Brazil (Fernandes Filho et al, 2018), recognized for its ease of installation and lower investment cost compared to other systems
There is a demand for validated mathematical models that can be used in the design and performance prediction of biodigesters relative to the treatment efficiency and biogas production (Yang et al, 2016)
Summary
Pig farming is an activity of paramount importance for the economic and social development of Brazil, generating employment and income (Nandorf et al, 2021). This activity generates a high volume of effluents, which can be used in energy generation through anaerobic digestion (Freitas et al, 2019; Ramírez-Islas et al, 2020). Chen-Hashimoto (Chen, 1983), CETESB (2006), COD Conversion (Chernicharo, 2016), IPCC (2006), Deng (Deng et al, 2014), and modified Stover-Kincannon (Yu et al, 1998) stand out among the mathematical models used to predict methane production in anaerobic biodigesters. Several authors have pointed out divergences between the biogas production observed at full scale and that estimated by the models (Bilotta & Ross, 2016; Camilo, 2017; Coluna, 2016; Mito et al, 2018)
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