Optimizar la producción de biogás a partir de residuos pecuarios, empleando la glicerina como subproducto de la obtención de biodiesel.

Abstract

The main objective of the following research is to prove the technical feasibility of utilizing the energy from the combination of livestock waste and of the glycerin obtained as a byproduct of the production of biodiesel, which uses the anaerobic co-digestion process for the generation of biogas. According to this proposal, it was worked at temperatures of 35° and 45° C, with two substrates (cow and swine manure) plus the addition of glycerin, which acted as a co-substrate due to its high content of easily-degradable carbon, potentiating the performance in the production of biogas. These variables were previously selected and were subjected to a statistical evaluation using an experimental 2K design in order to observe their effect in obtaining this biofuel and find the optimal model. The procedure was carried out in 10 biodigesters adapted to the laboratory conditions necessary for their monitoring. The technique of Specific Methanogenic Activity (SMA) was the method used to quantify biogas, which consisted of using sodium hydroxide that sequesters carbon dioxide and passes methane gas. There was an increase of 70% in the yield when working with swine manure, with 4% glycerin at a temperature of 45° C.