African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12496

Full Length Research Paper

Economic viability of the biogas produced on pig farms in Brazil for electric power generation

Levi Mariano Neto
  • Levi Mariano Neto
  • Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Uberaba, Campus Aeroporto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Wellington Henrique Ponciano
  • Wellington Henrique Ponciano
  • Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Uberaba, Campus Aeroporto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Antonio Manoel Batista da Silva
  • Antonio Manoel Batista da Silva
  • Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Uberaba, Campus Aeroporto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 13 March 2019
  •  Accepted: 18 October 2019
  •  Published: 31 October 2019

Abstract

Electric energy generated by clean and renewable sources, such as biogas, is a subject widely discussed and of global importance. Biogas, besides being an alternative to other fuels uses a raw material, which in many cases is considered disposable, worthless and harmful to the environment when not correctly disposed of. Several factors influence the design, operation and collection of the final product. This paper is a technical economic viability report about three biogas projects, which have already been published, and presents the main difficulties and advantages encountered during the whole process involving biogas production, as well as its economic viability when used to generate electrical energy. The analysis show that the use of biogas from wastes of pig farms is economically viable, since all biogas produced is nearly totally used for electrical power generation. 

 

Key words:  Carbon credits, biodigester, biomass, methane, biomethane, greenhouse gases.