STUDY OF LIVESTOCK FARM ENERGY NEEDS AND BIOGAS POWER PLANT ENERGY POTENTIAL

Abstract

Biogas production from agricultural and animal waste can be a promising solution for the development of renewable bioenergy. Biogas production technologies are based on the natural interaction of microorganisms and organic waste, for the formation of clean and energetically active gases. This paper presents a study on the possibilities of biogas production and use in a small livestock farm. The selected object of the study is a small livestock farm located in Telšiai district, where 43 dairy cows, 72 beef cattle, 14 dairy and 23 beef cattle are raised. The raw materials constantly generated on the farm – thick and liquid cattle manure – were selected for biogas production. The farm accumulates around 543 tons of thick manure and 538 tons of liquid manure during the housing period. The biogas produced would be used to cover the farm's annual electricity and thermal energy consumption. The study carried out a single load experiment with selected feedstocks at the Biogas Laboratory of the VMU Academy of Agriculture and determined biogas yields, methane concentrations and gas energy values. Based on the results of the experimental study and the modelling of the feedstock flows, it was found that biogas with an energy potential of up to 280 MWh could be extracted from the feedstock stored on the farm. Annual energy yields from biogas are significantly higher than the energy needs of the farm.