• Comparison of the Biochemical Methane Potential of Different Organic Biomass

    Tavares, A.1, Ziglioli, E. 1, Remor, P. 1, Cavaler, J. 1, Alino, J. 1, Bastos, J.1, Edwiges, T.2

    1. Master in Environmental Technologies, Federal University of Technology – Paraná. Brazil Av. 85884-000, Medianeira/Brazil.
    2. Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Technology – Paraná. Brazil Av.,85884-000, Medianeira/Brazil.

    Abstract: Anaerobic digestion is often used as an alternative treatment for biowastes. The methane potential and the biodegradability of different biowastes can be estimated by the biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. This study aimed to determine the BMP and the enzymatic hydrolysis of different organic waste such as milk whey (MW), pig manure (PM), sugarcane bagasse (SB) and aquatic macrophytes (AM) (Pistia stratiotes). SB and AM were previously submitted to particle reduction size (< 10 mm) and SB was oven-dried (60 °C for 24 hours). The assays were performed in 125 mL glass bottles at 37 °C. Biogas composition was determined by gas chromatography and the results were evaluated using analysis of variance and Tukey test for mean comparisons (p < 0.05). The highest BMP was observed for MW (314 LNCH4 kg VS-1) followed by PM (301 LNCH4 kg VS-1) and SB (249 LNCH4 kg VS-1) and AM (43 LNCH4 kg VS-1). The high variation in the methane potential of the studied substrates is related to their different chemical composition and biodegradability rates. It is suggested that co-digestion using a mixture of substrates could increase methane production, since it favors the synergistic effects, increases the methane content and improves the operation of the biodigester.

    Keywords: agricultural waste, biogas, BMP, anaerobic digestion.

    Pages: 210 – 215 | Full PDF Paper