Studies on biogas production from fruits and vegetable waste

Abstract

Organic compounds decompose under anaerobic condition to yield biogas. This work presents results of the study on biogas production from fruits and vegetables waste materials and their effect on plants when used as fertilizer (Using digested and undigested sludge). It has been observed that the highest weekly individual production rate is recorded for the cow dung (control) slurry with average production of 1554 cm3, followed by pineapple waste which had 965 cm3 of biogas, then by orange waste which had 612cm3 of biogas, lastly, pumpkin and spinach wastes had 373 cm3 and 269 cm3 respectively. The results obtained shows that difference in the production of biogas to a large extent depends on the nature of the substrate. All the substrates used appeared to be good materials for biogas production and their spent slurries can be used as a source of plant nutrients.

Key words: Biogas, Anaerobic digestion, Substrate, Vegetable waste, Cow dung