Integration of mesophilic biogas plant in the animal slaughter process under real limitations: Techno-economic evaluation of a colombian bovine slaughterhouse. (1st April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sánchez, Zamir; Martí-Herrero, Jaime; Escalante, Humberto; Castro, Liliana
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 160(2023)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2023-04-01
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion feasibility -- Biogas production rate -- Mesophilic anaerobic digestion -- Slaughterhouse wastewater -- Tubular digester; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.02.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: Offal wastewater (OWW) anaerobic digestion is technically viable in tubular digesters. OWW anaerobic digestion leads to a biogas production rate>0.1 m 3 /m 3 dig d. The integration of anaerobic technology in slaughterhouses would allow energy savings. High organic loads favor the integration of biogas through boilers in slaughterhouses. Biogas integration in slaughterhouses by cogeneration systems is economically viable. Abstract: Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been a widely tested alternative for the management and valorization of wastewater from the animal slaughter process. However, the integration of AD in slaughterhouses depends on technical and economic aspects. In Colombian slaughterhouses AD integration is limited by the availability of land. In the present study, a techno-economic evaluation of the AD of offal wastewater (OWW) stream in a laboratory scale mesophilic tubular digester was carried out. The digester was operated at organic loading rates (OLR) of 0.28, 0.50, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg VS/m 3 d. Boilers and a CHP (combined heat and power) system were considered for energy integration of biogas. For the economic study, the cost structure of a Colombian slaughterhouse was considered. The AD of OWW at 2.0 kg VS/m 3 d OLR was unstable with risk of inhibition. Increasing the OLR from 0.28 to 1.5 kg VS/m 3 d caused a reduction in the specific biogas production (SBP) from 0.474 to 0.069 m 3 /kg VS However, the biogas production rate (BPR) remained constant at around 0.105 m 3 /m 3 dig d for OLRs > 0.28 kg VSm 3 d. Therefore, OWW anaerobic digestion in low-cost mesophilic biogas plants is technically feasible with OLRs between 0.28 and 1.5 kg VS/m 3 d. The implementation of boilers is economically favorable for OLR ≥ 1.0 kg VS/m 3 d. Nevertheless, feasibility is very sensitive to variations in the cost structure. The implementation of CHP was feasible in the range of OLRs evaluated and its viability is not affected by changes in assumed costs.