BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

The anaerobic digestion process is based on the decomposition of organic matter in waste into a suitable digester, under specific conditions of temperature, pH and substrate, with the presence of a combination of bacteria and the absence of oxygen, to produce gas mixture-called biogas and digested residue (digestate slurry).

Specifically, the biological process of decomposition with Anaerobic Digestion involves the following steps:

• Hydrolysis
• Fermentation
• Acetogenesis and
• Methanogenesis

Biogas is widely used to produce electricity.

For the development of small-scale facilities, biogas, after removal of volatile bodies, sulfur compounds and moisture, is used as fuel in piston engines that propel power generators of electrical power 0,5 - 3,3 MW.

Biogas can be used as heating fuel for industrial boilers, furnaces, ovens, and dryers. After removing moisture, biogas is suitable for various applications such as:

• space heating,
• production of thermal energy, fuel for boilers producing steam heating,
• electricity generation using steam turbines