Thermal and Dynamic Behavior of Anaerobic Digesters Under Neotropical Conditions: A Review.
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| Title: | Thermal and Dynamic Behavior of Anaerobic Digesters Under Neotropical Conditions: A Review. |
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| Authors: | Rios, Ricardo1,2 (AUTHOR), Marin-Calvo, Nacari1,2,3,4 (AUTHOR) nacari.marin@utp.ac.pa, Deago, Euclides1,2,3,4,5 (AUTHOR) euclides.deago@utp.ac.pa |
| Source: | Energies (19961073). Apr2026, Vol. 19 Issue 8, p1838. 29p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Heat transfer, *Computational fluid dynamics, *Biogas production, *Methane, *Energy consumption, *Anaerobic sludge digesters, *Thermal properties, Tropical climate |
| Abstract: | Anaerobic digesters operating under neotropical conditions face significant technological constraints. High humidity, intense solar radiation, and pronounced diurnal temperature variations increase conductive, convective, and radiative heat losses. These factors reduce internal thermal stability and directly affect methane production rates and overall energy efficiency. As a result, thermal instability becomes a recurrent operational bottleneck in biogas plants without active temperature control. This review examines the thermal and dynamic behavior of anaerobic reactors from a process-engineering perspective. It integrates energy balances, heat-transfer mechanisms, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. The combined effects of temperature gradients, hydrodynamic mixing patterns, and structural material properties are analyzed to determine their influence on thermal homogeneity, microbial stability, and methane yield consistency under mesophilic conditions. Technological strategies to mitigate thermal losses are evaluated. These include passive insulation using low-conductivity materials, geometry optimization supported by numerical modeling, and thermal recirculation schemes, as these factors govern temperature distribution and process resilience. Current limitations are also discussed, particularly the frequent decoupling between ADM1-based kinetic models and transient heat-transfer analysis. This separation restricts predictive capability under real-scale diurnal temperature oscillations. The development and validation of coupled hydrodynamic–thermal–biokinetic models under fluctuating neotropical boundary conditions are proposed as critical steps. Such integrated approaches can enhance operational stability, ensure consistent methane production, and improve energy self-sufficiency in organic waste valorization systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
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| Abstract: | Anaerobic digesters operating under neotropical conditions face significant technological constraints. High humidity, intense solar radiation, and pronounced diurnal temperature variations increase conductive, convective, and radiative heat losses. These factors reduce internal thermal stability and directly affect methane production rates and overall energy efficiency. As a result, thermal instability becomes a recurrent operational bottleneck in biogas plants without active temperature control. This review examines the thermal and dynamic behavior of anaerobic reactors from a process-engineering perspective. It integrates energy balances, heat-transfer mechanisms, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. The combined effects of temperature gradients, hydrodynamic mixing patterns, and structural material properties are analyzed to determine their influence on thermal homogeneity, microbial stability, and methane yield consistency under mesophilic conditions. Technological strategies to mitigate thermal losses are evaluated. These include passive insulation using low-conductivity materials, geometry optimization supported by numerical modeling, and thermal recirculation schemes, as these factors govern temperature distribution and process resilience. Current limitations are also discussed, particularly the frequent decoupling between ADM1-based kinetic models and transient heat-transfer analysis. This separation restricts predictive capability under real-scale diurnal temperature oscillations. The development and validation of coupled hydrodynamic–thermal–biokinetic models under fluctuating neotropical boundary conditions are proposed as critical steps. Such integrated approaches can enhance operational stability, ensure consistent methane production, and improve energy self-sufficiency in organic waste valorization systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 19961073 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/en19081838 |
