Ingeniería Ambiental · 2026

Evaluación de la producción de metano a partir de biomasa fotosintética

Resumen

As the demand for energy increases and simultaneously, from various natural and anthropogenic processes, methane emissions also increase, pilot investigations have been initiated that promote the use of gas, thanks to its high energy potential, in industrial processes or as fuel. This study evaluated the feasibility of obtaining methane gas from microalgal biomass due to its easy production and environmental sustainability, by using a UASB reactor and a FBR. The UASB used was initially fed with cane molasses as a simpler substrate, easier to degrade, later with Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a FBR, and finally with the microalgal biomass. While the highest average methane production was obtained from feed with molasses (0.25 ml CH4/ mg DQO), followed by the feed with bacteria (0.08 ml CH4/ mg DQO), the FBR’s biomass being the substrate with the lowest gas production (0.02 ml CH4/ mg DQO); The highest removal of COD was present in the substrate with bacteria (55%), followed by molasses (38%), with the FBR’s biomass being the lowest value (26%). However, it is reiterated that microalgal biomass is still a promising substrate for methane production, thanks to the structural and growth characteristics of microalgae, the simultaneous use of FBR and UASB reactors can be implemented.

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