Biomethane production potential from selected agro-industrial waste in Colombia and perspectives of its use in vehicular transport

Abstract:

The proper disposal and management of the waste generated from the agro-industrial activity in Colombia constitute a problem with environmental, economic and social implications, such that its solution constitutes a matter of national interest. Thus, the objective of this work is to estimate the potential of biomethane production by biochemical conversion of selected agro-industrial waste and, its use is proposed in vehicular transport currently moved by natural gas. Methodologically, the study relies on official statistics of the national entities that report the volume of crops and waste generated yearly, Three crops were selected, applying criteria of abundance, geographic distribution, and energy properties: sugarcane, palm oil, and rice; the waste considered for each of them were sugarcane bagasse, empty fruit bunches of palm oil and rice straw. The conversion of said waste to energy vectors is by anaerobic digestion producing biogas, and from its purification, biomethane. The volume of biomethane obtained was 1,290x106 m3/year. This important value was compared with studies from other countries. The prospects for the final use of biomethane as vehicle fuel are promising. So, biomethane is a potentially attractive develop option in Colombia, which would make it necessary to carry out more specific and detailed studies include economic, environmental and social aspects that would positively impact the route to the sustainable development of the country.

Año de publicación:

2019

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus