Atividade metanogênica da fração orgânica de resíduos sólidos gerados em um restaurante universitário

Abstract

The generation of solid waste (SW) is one of the major problems faced by the world’s populations because they constitute a source of environmental pollution, affecting public health too. The population growth coupled with the development of the technology industry makes that there is a growing demand for energy and consequently a continuous exploitation of natural resources. In this context, the use of alternative and renewable energy sources which use the organic fraction present in the solid residues, such as anaerobic digestion, it is becoming increasingly necessary. The objective of this work was to identify the methane generation potential from the anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of the solid waste generated in the University Restaurant of the Federal University of Alagoas, A.C. Simões Campus, through the Specific Methanogenic Activity (AME) test. The tests were performed in duplicate in batch under mesophilic conditions using anaerobic sludge and swine manure as inocula in different proportions: 10% and 20%. The reactors were identified as: Sludge 10, Sludge 20, Swine 10 and Swine 20. The quantification of the generated methane was made through gas chromatography, and the readings were performed, on average, 3 times a week. The data obtained for the accumulated methane production were adjusted to the Boltzmann, in which it was possible to identify the maximum rate of variation of methane production, as well as the time at which this rate was reached. The specific methanogenic activity was determined using the maximum rate and the volatile suspended solids content of each inoculum. The accumulated methane production was between 146 and 299 L and the AME between 1.12 and 3.65 L CH4/gSSV.d. In general, the best results were obtained for the reactors operated of 10% inoculum and 90% organic waste paste.