Generación de biogás mediante procesos metanogénicos a partir de efluentes de Extratococa Extractora Rio Coca S.A.

Abstract

The present graduation work consists of generating biogas through methanogenic processes of the effluents produced in the extractor “EXTRACTOCOCA EXTRACTORA RIO COCA SA”, located in the Francisco de Orellana canton which bases its commercial activity on the raw palm oil extraction. One of the main concerns of the palm culture sector is the depuration of the effluents from the extraction process, which can be used for biogas production solving this way part of the energy needs of the enterprise. For the biogas production, it was necessary to carry out the characterization of the effluents and the assembly of a batch type bioreactor with a capacity of 20 L, being monitored during 60 days, a necessary time for the methanogenic process development. Among the results it was found out that the biogas production during the experimental phase was 43 L observing a continuous production from day 21. The biogas produced presents a 57.5% concentration CH4, 39.9% C02 and 2.6% of other gases. Upon finishing the experimentation the characterization of the effluent used was carried out, observing a reduction of DDO, DQO, NTK, SST, SSV, ST and STV in the order of 91%, 84.5%, 57.6%, 87%, 93%, 87% and 84% respectively. As a conclusion, it was established that the generation of the biogas from the effluents of the palm industry makes it an alternative for the energy consumption reduction (electric energy) at the enterprise level, contributing, moreover, to the reduction of the contamination levels present in the effluents.