Use Of Biodigesters Research Articles

How Can Biodigesters Help Drive the Circular Economy? An Analysis Based on the SWOT Matrix and Case Studies

The use of biodigesters and the circular economy (CE) has been gaining attention in recent years. Both biodigesters and CE have the potential to minimize negative impacts—not only environmental, but also economic and social. However, little attention has been paid to the relationship between biodigesters and CE. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to identify and analyze the implications of the use of biodigesters in the light of a CE concept. To do this, a SWOT matrix was developed based on the opinion of experts and two case studies were conducted in companies operating in different sectors in Brazil. The results showed that the use of biodigesters can drive CE through biogas, which is a renewable energy source, closing the cycle of organic materials, increasing the economic power of companies and small producers, improving basic sanitation in remote areas, and stimulating industrial symbiosis. However, this study identified barriers in the use of biodigesters in the context of CE, such as lack of government incentives and composting being shown to be more cost-effective than the use of biodigesters for the treatment of solid waste.

Environmental impact of Oaxaca cheese production and wastewater from artisanal dairies under two scenarios in Aculco, State of Mexico

The environmental impacts in the artisan cheese sector in the central region of Mexico provide a particular panorama of the environmental situation of this industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate environmental impacts through a life cycle analysis in 10 impact categories: global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, fine particle formation, ozone formation, terrestrial ecosystems, terrestrial acidification, eutrophication of fresh water, terrestrial ecotoxicity, human ecotoxicity. non-carcinogenic toxicity, scarcity of fossil resources and water consumption. And the calculation of the carbon footprint with the IPCC, 2013 of 1 kg of Oaxaca cheese in four dairies artisanal in the State of Mexico. The main hotspots were whey, transportation, and electricity. The reduction of the impact generated by wastewater can be associated with the implementation and improvement of eco-innovations such as the use of biodigesters, however their use generates impacts on SOD, TA, FA, TEc and FRs due to the composition of the whey residue. The renewal of refrigeration equipment is another alternative to reduce electricity consumption, which on average consumes 0.04 kWh per one kg of Oaxaca cheese in cheese factories that have new refrigerators, and 0.14 kWh when refrigerators are reused, mainly impacting the FRs.The average carbon footprint of Oaxaca cheese was 15.6 CO 2 kg eq, which allows us to have a measure of the behavior of this food. A sensitivity analysis was carried out with different scenarios with wastewater where it was found that the handling of whey is essential for reducing impacts.

Biodigester models used worldwide in the context of intelligent cities

Urban development is marked by challenges associated with energy demands at a variety of levels, as well as the need of an efficient solid waste management. In the next 30 years an increase of the world’s population and of this population in urban areas is predicted, turning such dilemma a reality. In this context, organic waste can be recycled as a clean, renewable energy resource by means of biogas, which is a sub-product of anaerobic digestion and which can be converted into electric and thermal energy by burning, and therefore be used in heating and as fuel. Biogas is produced in biodigesters, which consist of an airtight chamber with compartments for the substrate inlet and the final product outlet. From a bibliographic research, the present study investigates the main models of biodigesters used in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, in order to present an up-to-date scenario of the application of such equipment in the context of intelligent cities. The results indicate contrasting biodigester installations among the continents. Whereas Europe relies on high-technology models, in Africa, for example, biodigesters are usually built with basic materials, which make biogas production inefficient. Similarly to other energy sources and waste management models, the countries with better infrastructure and resources can better benefit from the use of biodigesters, thus improving the quality of life, whereas poorer countries cannot totally exploit the same productivity potential.

Long-term food waste management in Phnom Penh utilizing a system dynamics modeling approach

Phnom Penh has a high number of people. With more people, it is expected that food waste issues will be severe. To properly manage food waste, it is necessary to identify the key factors affecting food waste management, and examine the interactions among those key factors to effectively plan for long-term management. This study develops a dynamics model of food waste management, considering vegetables as the main waste, to examine the trends of food waste in Phnom Penh and plan for long-term management. The developed dynamics model considers two types of waste, household and retailer wastes. The simulation results reveal that most food wastes are from households. They are mainly from preparation processes and inappropriate packing sizes. The results show that with a smaller percentage of waste in preparation processes, food wastes going to a landfill decrease. The use of smaller-size packs (250 g and 350 g) also helps to minimize food wastes. The simulation results also suggest the use of biodigesters, to convert food waste to energy and reduce landfill waste in the long term. Local communities, local authorities, and governments can use this study to plan for long-term food waste management, to reduce food waste and mitigate landfill problems.

Biodigestor anaeróbio para produção sustentável de biogás em propriedade rural da cidade de Açailândia, Maranhão, Brasil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo, a construção e implantação de um biodigestor anaeróbio de biomassa economicamente viável para a produção sustentável de biogás e biofertilizante natural, em uma propriedade rural no município de Açailândia-MA. A estimativa de geração de biogás foi baseada no percentual de sólidos voláteis da biomassa (esterco bovino) usada. Obteve-se geração diária de 300 Kg de esterco. Foi utilizada a metodologia gravimétrica para o calculo percentual dos sólidos totais, sólidos voláteis e sólidos fixos. Foi calculada a carga orgânica do biodigestor, a estimativa do tempo de chama, tempo de luz e redução de tarifa energética. O sistema foi montado utilizando materiais de baixo custo. A produção de metano de 0,361 m³/dia, sendo possível manter a chama de um fogão doméstico em funcionamento por 49 min/dia ou utilizado para gerar aproximadamente 2,33 kW/h por dia ou manter uma lâmpada a biogás acesa por 5h e 27 min/dia, podendo também estar obtendo uma economia na conta de energia de R$ 1,30/dia. Além do gás, o processo de metanização do esterco bovino gerou um biofertilizante natural, que pode ser comercializado ou mesmo utilizado pelo proprietário do biodigestor. A queima direta do gás logo após a geração é benéfica, pois se trata de uma combustão completa, gerando apenas água e dióxido de carbono, bem menos poluente que o metano. A utilização de biodigestores e a metanização, são alternativas de substituição do gás liquefeito de petróleo, podendo possivelmente suprir a demanda de energia elétrica ou térmica e ainda reduzir de custos nas comunidades e empreendimentos rurais.

Beneficios económicos del uso de biodigestores en una empresa productora de quesos

A nivel mundial el uso de combustibles fósiles ha crecido conforme pasa el tiempo. Sin embargo, estos tipos de energía se están agotando, lo que conlleva a que sus costos aumenten, resultado de la oferta y demanda global, por lo que es necesario utilizar otro tipo de energías que no afecten al medio ambiente y tampoco recurran a grandes costos. Una de las maneras de generar energía renovable es a través del uso de biodigestores que permiten la producción de biogás, el cual está compuesto por una mezcla de gases, principalmente dióxido de carbono y metano. Este subproducto puede ser empleado como generador de energía eléctrica o como reemplazo de ciertos combustibles fósiles usados en las actividades diarias. El objetivo del estudio fue calcular el impacto económico generado por la producción y uso de biogás en una empresa productora de quesos en el municipio de Saucillo, Chihuahua, México. Esta empresa cuenta con una instalación de biodigestores, cuya producción de biogás es suficiente para reemplazar el uso del gas LP. En el presente estudio se analizó el impacto económico resultante del uso del proceso de biodigestión en la empresa, a través de diversos indicadores económicos aplicados conforme la información recolectada y de acuerdo a la metodología de Baca Urbina. Obteniendo como resultados una TIR de 46.72%, VPN de $4, 937, 745. 64 y una relación beneficio-costo de 1.80. Como conclusión, el uso de los biodigestores proporciona un impacto aceptable y favorable mostrando que la inversión del proyecto es rentable para la empresa.

Biodigestores e biogás na suinocultura Catarinense

A suinocultura é importante na economia brasileira e catarinense. O Brasil é quarto exportador de carne suína. Em Santa Catarina o produto é o segundo em Valor Bruto de Produção. Porém, a suinocultura é uma atividade visada por problemas ambientais. A preocupação neste trabalho são as emissões de metano geradas pelos efluentes da atividade. Nesse sentido, o objetivo é verificar a utilização da tecnologia de coleta e queima de biogás nas experiências feitas em três microrregiões de Santa Catarina (Joaçaba, Concórdia e Xanxerê) avaliando a evolução e dificuldades e o grau de utilização de biodigestores do modelo Canadense de fluxo contínuo. As entrevistas com técnicos e outros permitiram verificar a dificuldade de manutenção dos biodigestores, o que motivou o seu abandono por muitos produtores. Não há expectativa de ampliação de uso no curto prazo se não houver solução tecnológica e financeira para estímulo aos produtores.

Use of biodigesters, cisterns and desalinators: social technologies as sustainable alternatives of coexistence with the Semiarid

The work studies biodigestors, cisterns and desalinizers as sustainable alternatives to coexist with the semi-arid region, seeking to understand how it is possible to benefit rural populations from the production and use of social technologies. The methodology consists of bibliographical surveys from case studies and field studies on the use of these technologies in the semi-arid region. Experiences of use were selected in the municipalities of Barreira, Ocara, Redenção and Ibaretama in the state of Ceará. In the biodigestor is contextualized the most used models at Brazil and the semiarid, with emphasis on the models adopted in the municipalities of Barreira, Ocara and Redenção. In addition, to address the importance of the use of biogas and biofertilizer. In the cisterns, the types that were used in the semi-arid region were verified and the experience of the tanks program in the municipality of Ibaretama was mentioned. In the case of desalinators, the relevance of desalination systems for populations living in water scarcity was discussed, identifying the current equipment panorama installed in Barreira. As results, it was observed that it appears as a solution to meet the basic needs of populations with water supply. Biogas can be used to replace cooking gas and biofertilizer as fertilizer for plants. To do so, it requires greater attention from the public power and active involvement of the population. It is concluded that these technologies are feasible, adaptable to rural property, simple and low cost, since they tend to solve social and structural problems, besides generating income and quality of life for the populations.

Construction of Biodigesters to Optimize the Production of Biogas from Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Sewage

The objective of this study was to build and develop anaerobic biodigesters for optimization of biogas production using food waste (FW) and sewage (S) co-digestion from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The biodigesters operated with different mixtures and in mesophilic phase (37 °C). During the 60 days of experiments, all control and monitoring parameters of the biodigesters necessary for biogas production were tested and evaluated. The biodigester containing FW, S and anaerobic sludge presented the biggest reduction of organic matter, expressed with removal of 88.3% TVS (total volatile solid) and 84.7% COD (chemical oxygen demand) the biggest biogas production (63 L) and the highest methane percentage (95%). Specific methane production was 0.299 LCH4/gVS and removed. The use of biodigesters to produce biogas through anaerobic digestion may play an important role in local economies due to the opportunity to produce a renewable fuel from organic waste and also as an alternative to waste treatment. Finally, the embedded control and automation system was simple, effective, and robust, and the supervisory software was efficient in all aspects defined at its conception.

Sustainable decentralised wastewater treatment schemes in the context of Lobitos, Peru

The implementation of decentralised wastewater treatment systems, such as biodigesters, septic tanks and treatment ponds, provides opportunities for rural or remote communities to be self-reliant and avoid infrastructural connections to faraway urban areas. However, the effectiveness, sustainability and success of such systems is heavily tied to understanding the overall context (geographical, social, cultural, political and economic) in which they are installed, as well as the ease of their operation and maintenance in the long term. Shortcomings to addressing these aspects can lead to the failure of a project. Using the town of Lobitos, located in the Piura District on the northern coast of Peru, as the case study for this research, this paper is discussing and analysing the use of biodigesters as a more sustainable solution over larger municipal wastewater systems in the context of Lobitos. It explains reasons, such as community engagement, behind past failures of such systems and outlines lessons learned from a practitioner’s perspective. It concludes that addressing the local context as well as considering its impact throughout the project cycle, such as installation and future operation and maintenance, helps to ensure continued delivery of safe and sustainable wastewater treatment.

Sustainable decentralised wastewater treatment schemes in the context of Lobitos, Peru

© 2018 ICE Publishing. All Rights Reserved. The implementation of decentralised wastewater treatment systems, such as biodigesters, septic tanks and treatment ponds, provides opportunities for rural or remote communities to be self-reliant and avoid infrastructural connections to faraway urban areas. However, the effectiveness, sustainability and success of such systems is heavily tied to understanding the overall context (geographical, social, cultural, political and economic) in which they are installed, as well as the ease of their operation and maintenance in the long term. Shortcomings to addressing these aspects can lead to the failure of a project. Using the town of Lobitos, located in the Piura District on the northern coast of Peru, as the case study for this research, this paper is discussing and analysing the use of biodigesters as a more sustainable solution over larger municipal wastewater systems in the context of Lobitos. It explains reasons, such as community engagement, behind past failures of such systems and outlines lessons learned from a practitioner’s perspective. It concludes that addressing the local context as well as considering its impact throughout the project cycle, such as installation and future operation and maintenance, helps to ensure continued delivery of safe and sustainable wastewater treatment.

ALTERNATIVAS SUSTENTÁVEIS NA PRODUÇÃO DE SUÍNOS

The use of corn, rice and soybean co-products is an alternative to a production with greater sustainability and better economic viability. An alternative proposes the use of isolated enzymes, or complexes of enzymes, and with the use of these enzymes in the diet that there are ingredients that are co-products, it is supposed to improve the digestibility and reduce the emission of pollutants present in the swine feces. Industrial swine farming, characterized by containment systems with large population densities, results in the production and accumulation of large amounts of residues in pig farms that, inadequately managed, have come to be considered as one of the main polluting sources. However, there are now several ways to reuse these wastes in a sustainable way. Examples are: decantation basins and the use of biodigesters, being this second option with a great cost benefit for the pig farmer. In view of the above, this review aims to address sustainable practices that are an option for pig producers to provide an economically viable and ecologically correct product

Enteroparasite determination in Lactuca sativa from farms dedicated to its production in Pasto, Colombia

Currently, vegetables like lettuce are widely recommended as part of the daily diet given their high nutritional value; however, while consumers feel attracted to the benefits provided by the vegetable, they may also be exposed to parasitic intestinal infections. To determine the presence or absence of enteroparasites in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in the rural area in the municipality of Pasto, and to analyze associated factors based on the characterization of the lands. We conducted a descriptive double blind cross-sectional study. We took a total of 105 samples from 21 properties from June to December, 2013, and we processed them by sedimentation and flotation tests. Additionally, the owners were surveyed in order to obtain information about the possible variables influencing the occurrence of enteroparasites. We detected contamination in 100% of the lettuce samples and we found parasite eggs and larvae as follows: 95.25% with Entamoeba spp. cysts; 71.43% with Isospora spp. oocysts; 61.90% with Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (L3); 28.57% with Toxocara spp. eggs, and 4.76% with Eimeria spp. oocysts. Using the chi-square test we found association between Entamoeba spp. and ditches (p=0.008), dogs (p=0.008) and septic tanks (p=0.029); between Isospora spp. and compost (p=0.0001), dogs (p=0.0001) and slugs (p=0.002); between S. stercoralis and handling (p=0.003), and between Toxocara spp. and no use of biodigesters (p= 0.002). We found contamination with enteroparasites in lettuce samples from growing areas in the municipality of Pasto with animal and human sources as their main reservoirs, although others were present in the environment.

Avaliação de sistemas de gestão ambiental em granjas de suínos

Due to the environmental impacts caused by intensive swine farming and the economic importance and growth of this activity, this study evaluated environmental management practices on swine farms located in the state of Sao Paulo/Brazil. In order to accomplish this, exploratory interviews were conducted with the managers or owners of 37 randomly selected farms. The resulting data was then used to create a questionnaire that contained eight questions, and to also create an electronic database containing questions and answers. Weights, varying from 1 to 10 based upon their importance in preventing or mitigating environmental degradation, were assigned for each process carried out on the farm. The farms were then classified as satisfactory, satisfactory with restrictions and unsatisfactory, if their scores were greater than or equal to 70 points, between 51 and 69 points or lower than 51 points, respectively. The results showed that approximately 62% of the swine farms investigated were considered unsatisfactory, since their average score was 43.61. Approximately 11% and 27% were deemed satisfactory with restrictions and satisfactory, respectively, since their scores were 59.50 and 84.40. For items considered important, such as the use of biodigesters and compost, 51.35% used no biodigesters and 67.55% and 62.15%, respectively, used no compost or their practices were unsatisfactory. The need for incentive programs to improve swine waste management on farms in Sao Paulo State was therefore made evident.

The financial and economic feasibility of rural household biodigesters for poor communities in South Africa

Given the persistence of systemic poverty in, most notably, the rural parts of South Africa, the question is whether the use of biodigesters as a source of energy offers potential solutions to some of the difficulties and development needs faced by people in these areas. At the core, this translates into whether this technology would be financially and economically feasible for installation and use by rural households. Here we conduct both a financial and an economic cost-benefit analysis in one such community based on survey data from 120 households. Analysis of these data and supporting literature reveals that a biodigester is not a financially feasible investment for a rural household. Substantial economic benefits are, however, found to make a biodigester a worthwhile investment from a broader societal perspective. This is a compelling argument for further study and the consideration of government support in the light of broader economy-wide benefits.

Microanalysis of the benefits of China's family-size bio-digesters

The construction of 14 million family-size anaerobic bio-digesters is thought to have improved the farm economy of many rural households in China. The general view is that the use of a bio-digester will reduce expenditures on fuels and on fertilizers and pesticides, freeing up income that can be spent otherwise. The effect of using the residue of the digestion process is believed to increase farm produce also. Sound empirical support for these beliefs is, however, absent. Through the survey carried out for users and non-users in three villages (two in the Gansu province and one in the Sichuan province) it will be evident that the effects of the use of bio-digesters on the farm economy are often small if not non-existent. However, with appropriate support, the benefits can be significantly improved. Furthermore, the bio-digester contributes considerably to a more convenient lifestyle and an improved indoor environment. The benefits are not measured in terms of money, rather much appreciated by those who invested in a bio-digester.