Techno-Economic Analysis of Biogas Production from Slaughterhouse Biowastes, in Mekelle City, Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract The utilization of biomass energy such as biogas is currently getting a growing interest by researchers and the final destination of the process is its overall cost, and the profit gained. This study aims on the production of biogas from slaughterhouse biowastes (blood, manure, and rumen content) at optimal conditions, clean-up it and evaluate its feasibility. Calcium oxide and steel wool were used to remove CO2 and H2S respectively. The methane content of raw biogas and upgraded biogas are 67.20% 0.435% and 82.458% 0.503% respectively. The major fertilizing values (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) content of the digestate were recorded 11,573.00, 392.40, and 426.85 mg/kg respectively. From the economic analysis, urnover ratio, rate of return on investment, payback period, and the production capacity (%) at the break-even point were estimated as 0.22, 12.63%, 4.08 years, and 16.67% respectively. Moreover, a positive value for the net present value (NPV) ($2,949,848.99), as well as 40.37% of the discount cash flow rate of return was obtained. The profitability analysis results indicate that the biogas production process is feasible and acceptable.