Compilation of theoretical aspects on biogas production technologies at rural scale

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion has been an economically viable process for the cyclic use of organic waste. At the rural scale, it offers multiple benefits to its users. In the present work, the theoretical aspects of biogas production technologies are systematized at a rural scale, taking into account its operation principle and operating parameters, as well as the hydrogen sulfide elimination system for the biogas purification and its final use. Indicators for the most widespread biodigesters in Cuba are included: the “fixed cover or chinese type digester”, the “floating bell or hindu type digester”, the “tubular or polyethylene bag digester” and the “hybrid cuban digester”. These differ in terms of their investment costs, their operating parameters and their environmental impacts. It is proposed a material that group biodigesters disseminated in Cuba, to improve the decision making on the type of technology that will be used at rural level.