Analysis of the potential of livestock excreta for urea production through anaerobic digestion: challenges and opportunities in Latin America
¹University of Medellín, Faculty of engineering, Carrera 87 #30-65, postal code 050026, Medellín, Colombia
²Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering,
56 Fr.R. Kreutzwald Str., EE 51006 Tartu, Estonia
*Correspondence: svillegas@udemedellin.edu.co
All authors contributed equally to this work
Abstract:
Urea is one of the most demanded fertilizers worldwide and in Latin America. The high dependence on international markets to meet the region’s urea demand, the high consumption of fossil energy for its production, and greenhouse gas emissions increase agricultural production costs and create the need to seek alternative processes for urea production to reduce these adverse effects. In this sense, this work explores the possibility of producing urea in Latin America from the ammonia and CO₂ generated in the anaerobic digestion process of livestock excreta under conditions that favor the production of both gases. The results indicate that it is possible to meet the demand for urea for agricultural use by utilizing 15% of its theoretical potential obtained from livestock excreta. This new alternative for obtaining urea brings economic benefits, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and fosters social development. However, it faces legal, infrastructure, and technological barriers that may hinder the adoption of this technology in rural areas of Latin America.
Key words:
anaerobic digestion, fertilizer, Latin America, livestock excreta, urea