The Use of Biodigesters in the Treatment of Swine Manure …
111
8 Biogas Generation Process from Swine Manure
and the Energy Credit System
In order to provide a regular power generation capacity (as well as looking to benefit
the largest possible number of rural producers and their families, thus covering a
larger geographical area), the miniature thermoelectric power plant (MCT) idealized
in the Alto Uruguai Project (and subsequently, designed and installed in the Biogas
Project) is supplied by a total of 11 (eleven) biodigesters, from which 8 (eight) are
remaining from the Alto Uruguai Project and 3 (three) are new ones built together
with the MCT and interconnected through a piped gas network (gas pipeline). This is
launched on rural roads with a total length of 11 (eleven) miles, and all the properties
involved, in addition to the biogas pipeline, are connected through an optical fiber
network launched in parallel to the gas pipeline. Such addition allows monitoring
the operating conditions of each biodigester in real time.
The biogas generation process can be understood as having its initial stage based
on factors associated with production animals, such as the diet choice, the breed
of animals chosen for breeding and the age of the animals being raised (and from
which the manure is being carried to the biodigester). These are factors that can
result in more or less biogas production. The second stage is the washing of the
floor where the animals are raised (and this waste is carried to the biodigesters and
digestion ponds). In this stage, the biogas formation in the properties occurs, which
is channeled and conducted through a gas pipeline to the MCT where the biogas is
converted into electrical energy. Through the substation located next to the MCT,
there is a connection to the electrical network of the region’s energy distributor
(Celesc). In this way, the energy injected into the electrical network becomes a credit
for electricity to be consumed by the members of the cooperative (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Map of the gas pipeline layout. Source Elaborated by the authors, from Google Earth
111
8 Biogas Generation Process from Swine Manure
and the Energy Credit System
In order to provide a regular power generation capacity (as well as looking to benefit
the largest possible number of rural producers and their families, thus covering a
larger geographical area), the miniature thermoelectric power plant (MCT) idealized
in the Alto Uruguai Project (and subsequently, designed and installed in the Biogas
Project) is supplied by a total of 11 (eleven) biodigesters, from which 8 (eight) are
remaining from the Alto Uruguai Project and 3 (three) are new ones built together
with the MCT and interconnected through a piped gas network (gas pipeline). This is
launched on rural roads with a total length of 11 (eleven) miles, and all the properties
involved, in addition to the biogas pipeline, are connected through an optical fiber
network launched in parallel to the gas pipeline. Such addition allows monitoring
the operating conditions of each biodigester in real time.
The biogas generation process can be understood as having its initial stage based
on factors associated with production animals, such as the diet choice, the breed
of animals chosen for breeding and the age of the animals being raised (and from
which the manure is being carried to the biodigester). These are factors that can
result in more or less biogas production. The second stage is the washing of the
floor where the animals are raised (and this waste is carried to the biodigesters and
digestion ponds). In this stage, the biogas formation in the properties occurs, which
is channeled and conducted through a gas pipeline to the MCT where the biogas is
converted into electrical energy. Through the substation located next to the MCT,
there is a connection to the electrical network of the region’s energy distributor
(Celesc). In this way, the energy injected into the electrical network becomes a credit
for electricity to be consumed by the members of the cooperative (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Map of the gas pipeline layout. Source Elaborated by the authors, from Google Earth