Kinetics and bioenergy conversion studies of mango pulp industry solid wastes.
Anhuradha S., Mullai P.
Author Affiliation: Department of Chemical Engg, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India.
World Applied Sciences Journal 9 : 950-956
Abstract : The objective of this study was to characterise anaerobic batch biomethanation of mango peel waste (MP) and biodigestion with cow-dung (CD). The effects of increasing the concentration of mango peel waste as percentage of total solids (4 to 12) and varying the ratios of CD: MP (1:2, 1:5 and 1:10). A maximum methane yield of 3.5811 CH4/g VSdegraded was obtained at 8% TS and ratio of 1:10. A methane content of up to 65% was obtained at this proportion. 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 for mango peel was higher (5.3926 l biogas/g VS in and 5.5093 l biogas/g VS des) for the 1:10 ratio at 8% TS than for the 1:2 ratio 2.0342 l biogas/g VS in and 2.4535 l biogas/g VS des at 4% TS. Consequently, the specific gas production for mango peel, co-digestion with cow dung for the 1:10 at 8% TS was higher, compared to other values. The organic waste available from the mango peel contains easily biodegradable organic matter and this contributed to a better biogas yield. Batch kinetics of anaerobic digestion is useful in predicting the performance of digesters and for the design of appropriate digesters.