Kinetic Evaluation of Co-Digestion of Oarweed with Simulated Food Waste (SFW) in Batch Reactors Studies
- November 27, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Food Science and Technology, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue XI, November 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705
Edward Membere
University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
This study examined anaerobic digestion (AD) by mono and co-digestion of Laminaria digitata (LD) with a simulated food waste (SFW) in batch experiments. Different mix ratios of LD and SFW, namely, LD100:0%, LD90:10%, LD75:25%, LD50:50% were assessed. Results from the batch reactors indicated the mono-digested feedstock LD100:0% produced the highest cumulative methane yield at 207 ± 0.07 mL CH4.gVS-1 after 34 days. This was followed by LD90:10 % with a CH4 yield of 167 ± 1.43 mL CH4 g VS-1 while the 100% SFW (LD0:100 %) produces the lowest BMP yield of 30 mL CH4 g VS-1. The LD100:0% had the highest BI of 0.67. The co-digested mix ratios in the batch test exhibited both antagonistic (LD90:10%) and synergistic (LD75:25%) effects. The half-life (T50 days) for all the mix ratios was a maximum of 3 days with a T90 (90 % of methane production) of between 14 – 19 days.
Keywords: Co-digestion; batch; biogas; kinetics; biomethane; antagonistic; synergistic; biodegradability.
I. INTRODUCTION
The societal need to develop sustainable renewable energy sources has seen a recent increase in the amount of research on anaerobic digestion technologies. Biofuels from algae, known as third generation biofuels, are taking a lead interest in this regard. The characteristics of the biopolymer components (no ligin, low cellulose and lipid content) of seaweed, particularly brown algae, make it suitable for methanogenic digestion, and brings advantages over other biofuel feedstocks which displace terrestrial food crops from agricultural production. Macroalgae have been identified as feedstock with sustainable potential for co-digestion with food waste having positive environmental and health benefits [1]. They can be converted to biofuels from thermal, fermentation and various other processes [2].
