The northern caribbean region of Costa Rica is rich in biodiversity, but poor in economical development. In this rural nearly inaccessible location, twenty-three families closely tied to agricultural activities have decided to develop integrated systems for producing biogas from the waste of their livestock. For this purpose, they have been working since 2012 in the proposal of this project, and in 2014 they were awarded by the Interamerican Bank of Development with $45,000 for its realization.<br/>The proposed systems were engineered in such a way that every aspect would fulfill the needs of the family, operating independently in each farm. Several interceonnected units comprise each system: a water well, a pig house, a biodigester and a gas stove. The well provides water for daily washing and feeding of the animals by means of an electric pump. The pig house is a concrete structure that complies with national regulations for animal health, human safety and environmental hygiene. The biodigester is a tubular commercial design made up of flexible PVC. The pig's manure is gravity-fed into the biodigester, where the organic matter is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria and partially converted into biogas. This biofuel is plumbed directly to a kitchen stove. The biodigester effluent should contain reduced amounts of pathogens in comparison to the pig manure and could be used as fertilizer.<br/>These systems were installed with collaboration between more than 70 volunteers, and will reach steady state operation in November 2015. The physical and chemical characteristics of the effluent will be measured to assess the systems' purification efficiency. In addition, power production will be quantified in terms of flame hours per day. The aim is to prevent the improper discharge of about 400 Tons/year of livestock excrement and to produce about 100MWh annually.<br/>The integrated multiphase systems will provide several benefits. First they will reduce river contamination by improper discharge of untreated waste. Second, it will replace wood for cooking as a main energy source, improving the health conditions of the users. Third, a constant energy source increases the economic opportunities available to the families. Additionally, sidestream production of fertilizer can reduce current chemicals used. Most significantly, this project was funded to serve as a model for future biogas initiatives in the Mesoamerican region, and will also be made accessible to the general public.

Implementation of multiphase-integrated systems for organic waste treatment coupled with biogas production in family farms at the northern Caribbean region of Costa Rica

251st National Meeting (2016)

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