Potential for biogas production fromslaughter houses residues in Bolivia : Systematic approach and solutions to problems related to biogas production at psychrophilic temperature

Abstract: Residues from slaughter houses offer an abundant resource in Bolivia. The residues can beused for biogas production with biofertilizer as a bi-product. These resources are, however,currently not being used. Instead, they are released in water systems, implying heavycontamination, e.g., on the Lake Titicaca in western Bolivia. Severe environmental effects areobserved in the lake and connected water systems. The residues from slaughter houses are animportant part of the problem. If the contamination continues, important environmental values willbe lost. Information around the resource is scarce, since no extensive inventory has been carried out. It isestimated that officially registered slaughter houses in the four major cities of Bolivia aloneproduce over 75 tons of organic residues per day. This flow of residues has increased since theworld market for animal fodder based on blood dropped significantly. In addition, there is littleexperience of biogas production in cold environments at that altitude, almost4000 meters over sea level. Production of biogas from waste is one of the most common methods to generate energy and at thesame time best waste reduction methods. Biogas production can be practiced favoring one theextremities, that is, either for the purpose of energy production or waste reduction. In this thesis, the focus is on waste reduction, that is the slaughter houseresidues. Nevertheless, the ultimate outcome is always to reduce as much waste as possible and, atthe same time, generate profitable energy. There are many technological and financial challenges that have to be addressed to see the completerealization of the biogas concept. Therefore, this master thesis focus on producing biogas fromresidues of slaughter houses in the greater area around Lake Titicaca and studies whichtechnological issues have to be solved. Furthermore, analyzing how the biogas segment can befurther developed in Bolivia according to the appropriate technology selection is alsoinvestigated.