Computational modeling of renewable energy production using biogas through anaerobic codigestion from the mixture of citric residuals and bpvine manure Modelamiento computacional de la producción de energía renovable a partir del biogás mediante la codigestión anaeróbica de la mezcla de residuos cítricos y estiércol bovino

Abstract

                                                                   Rev.esc.adm.neg

In this research a computational simulation of the process of anaerobic digestion was carried out, using a homogenous mixture of bovine manure and citric residuals to assess the viability of renewable energy generation from the co- digestion of these residuals. In accordance with the former outcomes, an experimental stage was carried out in which periodic measurements of the control variables of anaerobic biodegradability were taken such as pH, alkalinity, oxygen chemical demand (total and soluble), among others. Also, process performance parameters were established and comparative values between experimental outcomes and computational results were determined.

Additionally, a simulation of the anaerobic digestion process was carried out under similar conditions formerly established in a previous research through different experiments using the ADM-1 model. Based on the expected outcomes and as a result of experiments and simulations, the model precision was evaluated taking into account the values obtained from experimental measurements. Finally, a simplified model was implemented to evaluate energy production by a pilot- scale installation which performs the anaerobic treatment of organic residuals under observation. This model showed that there was an energetic deficit at the beginning; however, once the biogas production started the process, it became auto- sustainable and the system provided an increasing amount of available energy.