THERMODYNAMIC EVALUATION OF A BIOGAS, ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND BIOFERTILIZERS PLANT BY MEANS OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTES

• Grant number: 24/13964-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Keutenedjian Mady
• Grantee: Luana Martin Scardua
• Host Institution: Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The anaerobic biodigestion plant at the Institute of Energy and Environment of the University of São Paulo aims to valorize organic solid waste from urban centers, otherwise ending in sanitary landfills or even open dumps. This recovery process involves several steps, from adjusting the waste to meet the biodigestor necessities to understanding the composition of the digestate, hence creating a continuous process. These processes directly mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases like methane released from landfills. This scientific initiation project aims to analyze, through the lens of thermodynamics-specifically the first and second the quality of the energy conversion process of the biodigester into different products, ranging from electrical energy to the use of waste as biofertilizers. The objective is to develop a computer program where different equipment will be evaluated and simulated, allowing for a quantitative analysis of energy conversion efficiencies. By the end of this scientific initiation, it is expected to offer the group a prototype of a computer program using EES software. To achieve this goal, periodic visits will be conducted, and the student will be integrated into the research group to understand the specific needs of each process.