Analysis of the biochemical methane potential as a tool to assess the performance of IKIAM’s biodigester plant
Synopsis
Population growth and the limited coverage of wastewater treatment in the Ecuadorian Amazon posed an environmental and public health challenge, further exacerbated by the lack of access to drinking water in rural communities. In this context, tubular biodigesters were proposed as a sustainable alternative to integrate sanitation with renewable energy generation. The present study aimed to apply Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assays as a diagnostic tool to assess the efficiency of the pilot biodigester plant at Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam. Samples were collected from four points, and physicochemical parameters (pH, solids, COD, alkalinity, and conductivity) were characterized. BMP assays were conducted in batch mode under controlled conditions. Preliminary results revealed unexpected variations in BMP among sampling points, attributed to the inoculum effect, while pH, alkalinity, and conductivity remained stable. In conclusion, BMP proved to be a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying microbial limitations and guiding optimization strategies in rural biodigesters.
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