Optimization of anaerobic digestion under psychrophilic conditions using plant biofilms: evaluation of biogas yield and quality in a rural tubular biodigester
Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas (UNTRM)
Abstract
This study evaluates the performance of a tubular biodigester operating in psychrophilic conditions, incorporating plant lianas as biofilm support to improve the anaerobic digestion of bovine manure. A 12 m³ biodigestion system was constructed in Chachapoyas, Peru, and loaded with a manure:water mixture (1:5). Physicochemical parameters, the production and quality of biogas, were monitored, and the study applied the Gompertz model to describe the kinetic behavior. The results show that, despite operating at average temperatures of 16.95 °C, the system reached its hydraulic retention time (HRT) in just 15 days, generating 3 m³ of biogas with a daily production of 0.2–0.3 m³. Purification reduced H2S by 75 % and purified methane reached 68.18 %, its suitability for domestic energy use. The Gompertz model adequately adjusted the data (R² = 0.9992), projecting a potential production of 3.89 m³. The use of plant biofilms improved microbial retention and process stability, suggesting a low-cost solution with high replicability in cold rural areas.
Keywords
lianas,HRT,Gompertz,methanogenesis,biofertilizers
How to Cite
Altamirano-Cubas, A., Vergara Medina, G. A., Gosgot Angeles, W., & Iliquin-Fernandez, R. E. (2025). Optimization of anaerobic digestion under psychrophilic conditions using plant biofilms: evaluation of biogas yield and quality in a rural tubular biodigester. Renewable Energy, Biomass & Sustainability, 7(2), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.56845/rebs.v7i2.658
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Gino Alfredo Vergara Medina