Slaughterhouse waste to energy in the energy transition with performance analysis and design of slaughterhouse biodigestor

A performance analysis of an operating slaughterhouse was carried out with the objective of identifying challenges, opportunities and improvement measures through operation and proposal of an optimum design of the biogas plant. The facility slaughters an average of 200 cows and 400 sheep per day producing an average of 16,000 kg of solid waste and 40 m3 of wastewater. The study showed that out of the total solid and liquid waste of about 56,000 kg from the slaughterhouse, only 2,800 kg is utilized in biogas production leaving out 53,200 kg of waste untreated by the biogas digestor. This research proposes the construction of an 80 m³ capacity hydrolysis tank, 1,600 m³ capacity digester tank and a 2,000 m³ biogas storage bag for the increased biogas production. Retention time would have to be increased to 20 days from 17 days and substrate PH level increased to 7.0 from average of 6.5. The proposed design will increase biogas production from current 35 m³ to 1,920 m³ and increase solid wasted utilization increase from 1.875% to 75% and that of liquid waste from 6.25% to 100%. Production of biogas and electricity will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions mitigation as one of the wastes to energy pathways in the energy transition. The study concludes that slaughterhouse waste to energy conversion has an important role to play in the sustainable energy transition and a cleaner environment.