Evaluation of the Biochemical Potential of Methane from Wastewater Biosolids as a Source of Clean and Sustainable Energy

Abstract

In Panama, in the last 20 years, investment in sanitation has increased both at the State and private levels, driven by the generation of discharge regulations. Although it is true that recovery of the bodies of receiving water is being achieved due to these investments, little has been done with the byproducts of this sanitation, especially the generation of organic sludge or wastewater biosolids. For this reason, our research focused on the study of biochemical methane potential (BPM), through anaerobic digestion tests using the Oxitop system. These results of our research are the results of the evaluation of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants of various economic activities. The findings of the studies of digestivity show that there is a variation in BPM according to economic activity. The maximum BPM values were obtained for municipal biosolids; whose value was 103 mL CH4/g SV. These results are consistent with the contents of similar studies. However, it is required to deepen this subject, with the aim of improving the yields of BPM from wastewater biosolids, by coding, complementing other organic substrates.