Research finds biogas can be produced in fish farms

Washington [US], June 25 (ANI): Researchers generate biogas in a cyclical fish and vegetable farm (aquaponics) by digesting fish waste, which is then fed into the farm’s energy system. I found that I can give feedback. This provides the plants with excellent nutrition.

The results of this research were published in the academic journal Aquaculture Engineering. Aquaponics, or closed-loop land-based fish and vegetable farms, are growing in popularity. Aquaponics uses the nutrient-rich water produced by fish (aquaculture) to fertilize plants in a closed system without soil with the help of bacteria that grow naturally within the system (hydroponics). ). These food production models mimic fertilization in river and lake ecosystems. Until now, solid fish waste has been a particularly worthless by-product.

However, a research project at the University of Gothenburg is using the waste to produce biogas to help meet the energy needs of aquaponics farms. Victor Lobanov’s doctoral dissertation explains this.

Waste is decomposed in an anaerobic environment. “By breaking down fish feces in an anaerobic environment known as digestion, we get a gas mixture enriched with 70% methane that can be used as fuel. This makes aquaponics energy,” says the University of Gothenburg. said marine biology doctoral student Victor Lobanov.

The study also shows that the nutrients released in the digestion of waste are more accessible to plants compared to synthetic nutrient solutions. “Fish waste contains many nutrients. These can also be used for aquaponics and should enable even more sustainable food production than is currently available,” said Victor Lobanov.

Another advantage is that using biogas as fuel produces carbon dioxide. This is a necessary supplement when growing plants in closed spaces such as greenhouses.

So far, the digestive process has only been tested in lab settings, but trials at commercial aquaponics facilities will begin this summer. This gives researchers insight into how well this method can cope with system perturbations and what needs to be done to create a more robust digestive pipeline. Victor Lobanov’s goal is to create a modular digestion system that can be integrated into existing aquaculture and aquaponics facilities.

There has been great interest from industry, and the technology could potentially be used in other livestock applications, such as pig farms. The sludge left after digestion is still very nutritious and can be used for traditional field fertilization. This new process reduces the remaining residual sludge and, importantly, its potential for eutrophication.

“In many countries, the amount of manure produced in livestock production is a problem. Digestion of fish “solids reduces the amount of waste from the farm and at the same time produces energy and an excellent fertilizer for hydroponics,” said Victor Lobanov. (Ani)