ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY OF SUPPLY CENTERS FROM THE CODIGESTION OF ORGANIC WASTE

Abstract

The present study evaluated the potential for biogas generation from organic waste unfit for consumption collected at the Pernambuco Supply and Logistics Center (CEASA-PE), as well as an estimation of the electric energy production from waste biodigestion generated in this plant. The biogas generation potential used BMP bench-test (biochemical methane potential) biodigesters, in which the biogas production was qualitatively/quantitatively evaluated from CEASA waste codigested with different inocula (bovine ruminal fluid, goat manure and UASB reactor sludge) under mesophilic conditions for 80 days. The laboratory test showed that the waste inoculated with ruminant manures (goat and bovine) presented the lowest net volume of generated biogas compared to the other treatments.: 23.2 and 19.2 NmL.gds-1. On the other hand, the treatments with sludge and mixture of all the inocula generated the largest biogas volumes: 37.6 and 44 NmL.gds-1, respectively. A potential of 359 kWh.d-1 of electric power generation was estimated from the biogas generated at CEASA from the BMP bench assay, as well as from the quantitative and physicochemical parameters of the waste generated in this unit. The results indicate high potential for energy generation in the evaluated CEASA plant, promoting the recovery of these wastes as an alternative and renewable source for sustainable energy production, transforming environmental liabilities into potentially energetic assets of aggregate economic value.