Title: Biogas production in semi-continuous-flow reactors using fresh water hyacinth from the Chao Phraya River

Authors: Nusara Sinbuathong; Wannapa Kratay; Netchanok Sombat; Suchat Leungprasert; Suriya Sawanon

Addresses: Scientific Equipment and Research Division, Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand ' Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, 73140, Thailand

Abstract: Biogas production was studied from the digestion of water hyacinth (WH), co-digestion of WH with cow dung and co-digestion of pre-treated WH with dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The reactors were fed with 20% by fresh weight of the substrate mixture of various ratios in semi-continuous-flow reactors at 30°C. Cow mixed ruminal microorganisms were used as the inoculum. The results indicated that the co-digestion of WH to cow dung to water with a ratio of 10:10:80 was optimal for biogas production. The average methane contents obtained from digestion of WH, co-digestion of WH with cow dung and co-digestion of the pre-treated WH at the recommended ratio were 48.56%, 51.14% and 53.62%, respectively. In co-digestion of WH with cow dung and that of the pre-treated WH at the optimum ratio, the methane yield increased from 144 to 170 L/kg total volatile solids or 115 L to 137 L/kg total solids added in the reactor.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; bioenergy; biogas; co-digestion; cow dung; greenhouse gas; methane; pre-treatment; water hyacinth; weed; Chao Phraya River.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2019.098497

International Journal of Global Warming, 2019 Vol.17 No.3, pp.252 - 265

Received: 04 Mar 2018
Accepted: 24 Aug 2018
Published online: 25 Mar 2019 *

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