Pilot Plan To Determine The Feasibility Of A Small Methane Recovery Project Under Clean Cevelopment Mechanism

Abstract

This Master’s project studies the case of the smallest swine producer farm that a Ecuadorian food company owns. The main purpose is to determine the feasibility of an anaerobic digester implementation and the possibility of qualifying as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project. In the first chapter the problem is defined. The farm produces larges quantities of organic waste and the owners need to manage these waste in a more effective and efficient way. To do that the objectives are set and the methodology followed is established. In the second chapter there is a description of the current situation of the farm including the location, size of the livestock, and waste management system. In this section there is also an explanation of all the environmental, social and legal problems could be solved if the project proposed is implemented. In the third chapter the literature review is done. In this part, there is a description of the anaerobic digester that is proposed in this project. Moreover, there is the explanation for why it is considered the best alternative to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions and the methodology that will be followed to determine the value of the reduction. In the fourth chapter the Clean Development Mechanism and the implications of getting the approved by the Executive Board are explained. In the fifth chapter a financial study is developed. In this chapter are included two cases studies that serve as an example of the good results that could be obtained if the project is implemented. In the sixth chapter greenhouse gasses emission reduction is calculated and the results of the financial study are presented. In the seventh chapter the main conclusions and recommendations are explained.