MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAL WASTE FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE

Management of animal waste as alternative energy sources for the production of biogas presents interest for Albania, for several reasons: increasing number of livestock, increased size of livestock farms, inappropriate dumping of waste that pollutes the environment. Animal wastes of livestock farms have brought negative impacts on environmental pollution in the rural areas (land-air-water). According to FAO in 2007, the increased number of cow and especially milk cows is a potential risk for CH(4) and CO(2) emissions. The study was undertaken in 3 communes: Dajc, Berdic and Velipoje. From 91 farms tested there were 87 cattle farms (1320 cattle), 4 pig farms (1850 pigs) and 341 equidae. The calculation was done based on ASAE standards 2003 and NRCS 1998 standards. According to this data, it was calculated: the daily quantity of animal waste - 37 t/day, the daily quantity of biogas 1110 m(3)/ day = 23760 MJ/day and the electric energy capacity 2000 kWh/clay. Results showed that it can cover 30-40% of heating, cooking and light needs of families living in farms. The conditions in the area of study require familiar systems of biogas production with a production capacity of 10-30 m(3) biogas.