ChE Spring Seminar – FROM LABORATORY TO FIELD IMPLEMENTATION: CASE STUDIES IN ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

Details

FROM LABORATORY TO FIELD IMPLEMENTATION: CASE STUDIES IN ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
Presented by:
Liliana del Pilar Castro Molano, Ph.D.

Abstract:
Anaerobic digestion has been widely used for wastewater treatment. Our research group has focused on the implementation of this process in rural communities and under different climatic conditions. Traditionally, anaerobic digesters use manure as feedstock (substrate), the research group has investigated the anaerobic process using different biomasses as feedstock and implemented the process from laboratory scale to the field. This presentation showcases studies of different biomasses (cattle slaughter water, whey, coffee waste among others), the performance of the process in terms of biogas, digestate, energy recovery of biogas, and the recycling of nutrients from the digestate.

Bio:

Liliana del Pilar Castro Molano is a Chemical Engineer with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. She is a full-time professor at the School of Chemical Engineering at the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) in Colombia. Currently, she serves as the Director of External Relations at UIS.

Professor Castro has dedicated 15 years to implementing renewable energy and bioprocesses in rural communities. The outcomes of her research have gained global recognition through publications and conference presentations. Additionally, she engages in outreach activities—such as virtual reality games and theatrical performances—to foster social integration of knowledge related to bioprocesses.

In her current role as Director of External Relations, she is actively working on establishing new agreements with research institutes in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Italy and Brazil. She is also enhancing student mobility through virtual tools and fostering intercultural exchange with international assistants from Germany, France, South Korea and the United States. Thus, developing policies to strengthen the university’s relationship with UIS alumni.