ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES OF TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE-BASED ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

This study evaluated the energy, economic, and environmental performance of converting agricultural waste into bioenergy through anaerobic digestion. The system utilized agricultural residues including rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, corn stalks, vegetable waste, and cattle manure. The optimized digestion process produced biogas with a calorific value of approximately 22.4 MJ/m3 and an estimated electricity generation potential of 1.85 kWh/m3. The annual large-scale implementation potential was approximately 145,000 kWh/year. Economic analysis indicated a capital investment of approximately $45,000 and annual operational costs of $2,200, with a reported net return on investment of 31.5% and payback period of 3.2 years. Environmental analysis estimated annual carbon reduction of approximately 125 tons. The findings demonstrate the potential of agricultural-waste-based anaerobic digestion as an integrated waste-management, renewable-energy, and sustainability approach.