An analysis of the potential use of waste materials for biogas plant development

Abstract Various industrial waste materials have great potential, especially as a substance for biogas production. The aim of the present study is to analyse the possibility of using the waste materials extracted in Northeastern Bulgaria for biogas plant development. The study indicated that the most common waste materials in Northeastern Bulgaria are in the following ratios Agricultural waste - 44%; Livestock breeding waste - 34%, Waste water - 20% and Seaweed - 2%. Individual samples of the waste materials thus grouped were also examined and biogas was produced from them, after which the density and the lower heating value (LHV) were studied. The analysis of the results showed that the highest LHV are associated with Forage waste - 27.11 MJ/kg, and the lowest one relates to Brown algae - 11.06 MJ/kg, and the density indicates the opposite tendency, with the highest figures related to Brown algae - 1.363 kg/m3, and the lowest values - to Forage waste - 0.994 kg/m3. According to the analysis, the most efficient raw material for biogas production in Northeastern Bulgaria is Forage waste, which is due to its heterogeneous content. In conclusion, Northeastern Bulgaria can be claimed to have various waste materials which are a prerequisite for establishing a biogas production plant.