Biogas from Manure

Biogas from Manure

Increasing biogas production from manure with the application of pretreatments: a meta-analysis

Article Summary

The article investigates the impact of different pretreatment methods on biogas production from various animal manure sources, such as swine and cattle. Through a meta-analysis of 54 studies, the authors assess how these methods can enhance methane (CH₄) production and the energy potential of waste, highlighting the importance of appropriate pretreatment methods to optimize anaerobic digestion.

The article was published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 362, Number 15, August 2022.

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Authors and Universities

The article was written by:

• Thuane Mendes Anacleto - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Helena Rodrigues Oliveira - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Vinícius Lacerda Diniz - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Vinícius Peruzzi de Oliveira - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Fernanda Abreu - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Alex Enrich-Prast - Linköping University, Sweden

Key Highlights

• CH₄ production from different manure sources varies with different pretreatments.
• Chemical and biological pretreatments increase CH₄ production from omnivorous manure.
• Physical and chemical pretreatments increase CH₄ production from herbivorous manure.
• Proper pretreatment can enhance CH₄ yield by up to ten times.

Article Objective

The objective of this study was to understand the effects of different pretreatments applied to various types of manure and how these treatments contribute to increased methane production and the energy potential of manure.

Identified Problem

The identified problem is the inadequate application of pretreatments due to a lack of focus on the chemical specificities of different types of manure, leading to suboptimal biogas production performance.

Methodology

The methodology consisted of a meta-analysis of 54 studies published between 1945 and 2020, involving a search for peer-reviewed articles. The authors classified different pretreatment methods into five categories and calculated the increase in methane production by comparing treatments with controls through statistical analyses.

Results

The results showed that chemical and/or biological pretreatments were more effective for omnivorous animal manure, while physical pretreatments and the combination of physical and chemical methods had negative effects on CH₄ production. For herbivorous manure, physical and chemical treatments improved methane production, while biological treatments had a negative effect.

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Conclusion

The article concludes that choosing the right pretreatment can more than double the energy recovered from manure, enabling significant fossil fuel substitution, reducing operational costs, environmental risks, and increasing profitability. The study also highlighted a disparity in research on manure pretreatments between developed and developing countries, emphasizing the need for public policies to encourage sustainable manure management and biogas utilization.

Access the Full Article

Scientific Dissemination: for more detailed information on the methodology used and biogas potential values, among other details, access the full article:

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132292

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