Abstract

Mesophilic biodigestion of cowdung and mango peel in relation to bioenergy-batch study

Author(s): S.Anhuradha, P.Mullai

The objective of this study was to characterize the anaerobic biodegradability potential of mango processing solid waste and its methane potential (measured as methane yield) using different mass ratio of mango peel and cow dung. A maximum methane yield of 3.581 m3 CH4/Kg VS degraded was obtained at 8% TS and ratio of 1:10. Addition of cow dung led to faster onset of biogas production and higher methane productivity. The reductions in volatile solids in the entire BMP test were in the range of 96% to 98%. The specific gas production formango peelwas higher (5.3926m3biogas /KgVS addedand 5.5093m3 biogas /KgVS des) for the 1:10 ratio at 8%TS than for the 1:2 ratio 2.0342m3 biogas/KgVS added and 2.4535m3 biogas/KgVS des at 4% TS. Consequently, the specific gas production for the mango peel, co-digestion with cow dung for the 1:10 at 8%TS was higher, compared to other values. This experimental result compared with anaerobic digestion potential ofMP and cow dung alone. The organic waste available from the mango peel contains easily biodegradable organic matter and this contributed to a better biogas yield.