Biogas Recovery: An Innovative Solution for Versatile, Sustainable Renewable Energy

Abstract

This study addresses the growing issues caused by the world's unprecedently high rate of population growth and changing consumption habits, that have led to a significant rise in waste produced. The world is expected to generate 3.4 billion tons of waste yearly by the year 2050, thus underlines the critical need for efficient waste management strategies. In order to reduce pollution parameters, the research presents a variety of leachate treatment strategies, including as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and biological basin. While the research highlights the critical relevance of sustainable leachate management, it also downplays the need to minimize volumes and provide suitable treatment prior to discharging into the environment. A promising approach to biogas recovery is presented through forced evaporation of leachates, using the heat released during biogas combustion to generate thermal energy. Conducted during winter to compensate for the limited natural evaporation of leachate compared to summer, the study reveals a significant increase in leachate temperature compared to ambient conditions. This results in an average evaporation rate of 30%, addressing the challenge of voluminous leachate, particularly prevalent in African countries with wetter household waste, exemplified by the municipality of Meknes in Morocco. Physico-chemical analyses were conducted to assess the changes induced by the evaporation process, revealing adjustments in conductivity, pH, and an increase in NH₄⁺ concentration in the leachates. This innovative approach holds promise for the sustainable using of resources, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the renewable energy recovery, thereby contributing to the transition towards a green economy.