Energy potential of animal excreta in cooperative in the Río Cauto municipality

Abstract

Obtaining biogas in rural areas from organic waste has environmental, economic and social benefits. This research was carried out in a cooperative in the province of Granma, Cuba. The main objective of this research was to determine the energy potential product of animal excreta, as well as to obtain the basic dimensions for the construction of a biodigester, based on the type and quantity of animals in said cooperative. For a total of 90 cows, 300 sheep and 14 horses, the dimensions of a fixed dome biodigester with a compensation tank were obtained, which guarantees the processing of  of excreta. From the processed biomass, around  of biogas will be produced, which will be used as a substitute for electric current and firewood in cooking food. In addition, between 2,57 and 2,71 of effluents with a high content of nutrients in plant nutrition can be obtained. Based on the biomass processing capacity of the biodigester, it could be estimated that the global warming mitigation potential is approximately 240,43 t of CO2 equivalent per year, which contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases.