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Effects of volumetric dilution on anaerobic digestion of food waste
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Effects of volumetric dilution on anaerobic digestion of food waste

X.F. Lou, J. Nair and G. Ho
Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Vol.4(6)
2012
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Abstract

Despite the increasing number of small scale digesters operating, there remains a lack of information with regards to performance optimization from an everyday user's standpoint. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of volumetric dilution and food waste composition on digester performance. Batch experiments utilizing food waste majoring in carbohydrate, protein, lipid, and cellulose, subjected to five concentrations of volumetric dilution (3.7%–17.1% total solids (TS)), were conducted. Irregardless of volumetric dilution, all assays achieved substrate degradation higher than 82.5% and did not suffer methanogenic inhibition, when provided with retention times comparable to those used in small scale digesters. Protein rich and cellulose rich waste achieved the highest methane potential varying between 0.410–0.539 m3/kg volatile solids (VS) and 0.450–0.535 m3/kg VS, respectively. Protein rich assays were also observed to be the first to achieve 50% of its Bo irregardless of concentrations, followed by carbohydrates and cellulose, and lipids having a considerably longer methanation time. Results saw an increase in total methane generated but a decrease in specific yield as % total solid increased. To successfully digest lipid rich waste a dilution no lesser than 1:4 was required.

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.83 Bioengineering
3.83.416 Anaerobic Digestion
Web Of Science research areas
Energy & Fuels
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
ESI research areas
Engineering
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