Brazilian agricultural and livestock substrates used in co‐digestion for energy purposes: Composition analysis and valuation aspects

Abstract

Brazil's agriculture and livestock annually generates enormous amounts of biomass, which varies in its biochemical composition. Many studies have pointed out the benefits of using this biomass as a substrate for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD), mostly via the co‐digestion (co‐AD) pathway. The agriculture and livestock of southeastern Brazil – sugarcane, orange, corn, soybean, coffee, cattle, swine, and poultry – have together demonstrated their potential for producing biomass that can be used for maximizing methane production. Filter cake, vinasse, straws, bagasse, mucilage, pulp, washing water, thin stillage, and manures also have specific organic matter and nutrient content that can be evaluated from an economic perspective as co‐products of biorefineries. Some are costless but others have acquisition costs in the agricultural market. Comparing the recent biochemical compositions cited in scientific literature (technical parameter) and to know the costs (valuation parameter) is crucial for farmers and investors make decisions in large‐scale. This study conducted a bibliographical survey of biomass generated in Brazilian agroindustry as a co‐substrate for energy production. The analysis summarized two tables: 1‐ a compilation of biochemical composition of the main co‐substrates, and 2‐ the acquisition or opportunity costs, discussing innovative aspects in the context of biogas production. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An overview of the integrated biogas production through agro‐industrial and livestock residues in the Brazilian São Paulo state

“…One of the criteria established in our study was choosing municipalities with a larger potential of energy that can be converted into biogas or bioelectricity through the biodigestion process. There is still no theoretical value for methane in the literature for the co‐AD process using a mix of the residues mentioned in this work, despite the conversion depending on the biochemical composition as well as factors related to the bioreactor operation (Mendes et al, 2022). Concerning biomethane production, the model of annexed facilities proposed herein can be a profitable strategy because, among the 201 sugarcane plants in the SPS, 66 of them are up to 20 km from gas distribution networks.…”

“…Energy demand keeps increasing worldwide and the new regime for energy security is based on renewables, especially in regions with biodiversity and available biomass. Bioenergy from different feedstocks can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reusing organic residues and ensuring reliable, timely, and cost‐efficient delivery which can be considered an opportune regional solution that promotes sustainable benefits (Bhatt & Tao, 2020; Longati et al, 2017; Mendes et al, 2022).…”

“…There are many technologies for biomass energy conversion suitable for small‐ and large‐scale applications, such as: gasification, cogeneration (thermal and electric generation), energy recovery from solid residues, wastewater treatment, biobased products for chemical industries, and biorefineries (Goldemberg, 2009). Anaerobic Digestion (AD), a technology applied to residual biomass, has particular interest due to the use of low‐cost (or even costless) substrates that convert into biogas (Mendes et al, 2022). This process is recognized as a clean technology that combines the suitability of residues with energy generation, fulfilling long‐term sustainable requirements such as national targets and the COP26 Agreement (United Nations, 2016).…”