Technology and Engineering
  • ISSN: 2333-2581
  • Modern Environmental Science and Engineering

Theoretical Calculation of the Potential of Production of Biogas in the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Alba Rancho in Cochabamba, Bolivia


Oscar Angel Nogales Escalera

Independent Consultant, Bolivia


Abstract: Anaerobic wastewater treatment in UASB type reactors generates biogas that can be an alternative source of energy through the use of methane (CH4) gas. This potential source of bioenergy obtained in a Wastewater Treatment Plant, can make it self-sustainable, at least in terms of energy consumption. This paper considers a hypothetical situation with the use of UASB type reactors in the current Alba Rancho WWTP in the city of Cochabamba (Bolivia) and its theoretical potential for the generation of methane gas. For this, and through a calculation procedure established by CHERNICHARO [1], methane flows of 5,138 m3/d have been obtained for an average wastewater flow of 655 l/s (year 2009); 8,839 m3/d for an average wastewater flow of 800 l/s (year 2015) and 14,800 m3/d for an average waste water flow of 1,200 l/s (year 2,025). This work was presented at the XV Bolivarian Congress of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering of AIDIS in Cochabamba (Bolivia).


Key words: biogas, wastewater treatment Plant, UASB, Cochabamba, Alba Rancho





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