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Production of Energy and Biofertilizer from Cattle Wastewater in Farms with Intensive Cattle Breeding

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Abstract

This study evaluates the treatment efficacy and biogas yield of an integrated system composed of a plug-flow biodigester (with sludge recirculation) followed by polishing in a stabilization pond. The system was operated in real scale for 12 months at ambient temperature and under continuous flow. The volumetric yields of biogas varied according to the organic loads applied, between 114 and 294 Kg COD day−1, reaching levels of 0.026 to 0.173 m3 m−3 day−1, with concentrations of CH4 between 56 and 70%. The monthly biogas productions were between 378.5 and 2186.1 m3 month−1 equal to an energy potential of approximately 2070 to 19,168 KWh month−1.The average yearly removals of BOD5,20 and COD by the integrated treatment system were 70 and 86%, respectively. The average annual removals of NH4 and TKN were 88.5 and 85.5%, respectively. The pH values were always near neutral, and the alkalinity was in ranges propitious for anaerobic digestion. The results of this study indicate good efficacy in terms of removal of organic matter and nitrogen compounds, with the added benefits of generation of energy and use of the treated effluent as biofertilizer, enabling significant cost reductions to cattle farmers.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA Dairy), funding agencies: National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq), Foundation for Research Support of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level or Education Personnel(CAPES) for financial support, the InterAmerican Institute for Climate Change Research (CRN3005), and the Foundation for Research Support of the State of Sao Paulo (FAPESP2014/50627-2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth System Science Centre-National Institute for Space Research, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, 12227-010, Sao Jose dos Campos, São José, SP, Brazil

    Jean Pierre Henry Balbaud Ometto

  2. Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Post Graduate Program in Ecology, Campus São Pedro, 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

    Henrique Vieira de Mendonça & Jean Pierre Henry Balbaud Ometto

  3. Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Research Center, 36038-330, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

    Marcelo Henrique Otenio

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  1. Henrique Vieira de Mendonça
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de Mendonça, H.V., Ometto, J.P.H.B. & Otenio, M.H. Production of Energy and Biofertilizer from Cattle Wastewater in Farms with Intensive Cattle Breeding. Water Air Soil Pollut 228, 72 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3264-1

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