title: Technical and economic feasibility of a solar-bio-powered waste utilization and treatment system in Central America.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a pilot-scale and closed-loop system that synergistically combines solar thermal collector, anaerobic digester, and constructed treatment wetland to simultaneously treat and utilize organic wastes. The system utilizes 863 kg of mixed animal and food wastes to generate 263 MJ renewable energy, produced 28 kg nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer, and reclaimed 550 kg water per day. The net revenue considering electricity and fertilizer was $2436 annually. The payback period for the system is estimated to be 17.8 years for a relatively dilute waste stream (i.e., 2% total solids). The implemented system has successfully demonstrated a self-efficient and flexible waste utilization and treatment system. It creates a win-win solution to satisfy the energy needs of the community and address environmental concerns of organic wastes disposal in the region.
authors.affiliation: Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Agricultural Engineering, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Ronald Esteban
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Aguilar Alvarez
authors.affiliation: Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Agricultural Engineering, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bustamante Roman
authors.affiliation: Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.affiliation: Fabio Baudrit Experimental Station, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Jose Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Miranda Chavarria
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Engineering, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baudrit
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Engineering, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Jose Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Aguilar Pereira
authors.affiliation: Fabio Baudrit Experimental Station, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rodriguez Montero
authors.affiliation: Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reinhold
authors.affiliation: Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. Electronic address: liaow@msu.edu.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D002489:Central America; D003364:Costa Rica; D005308:Fertilizers; D005502:Food; D008372:Manure; D009584:Nitrogen; D010758:Phosphorus; D010865:Pilot Projects; D059205:Renewable Energy; D012993:Solar Energy / Q000191:economics; D018505:Waste Management / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Constructed treatment wetland; Methane; Reclaimed water; Solar thermal collector