EFFECT OF INOCULUM ON CO-DIGESTION OF CHICKEN DROPLET AND FOOD WASTE FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Abstract

Increase in Population brings about high demand of energy, the available source of energy is seriously reducing. The need for alternative sources of energy is vital. This paper looked at Chicken Droplet (CD) and Food Waste (FW) as sources of renewable energy. The best system of utilizing this waste is by anaerobic digestion of the substrate. In this study, Three (3) no of six (6) liters batch anaerobic reactors are fed with Chicken Droplets (CD), Food Waste (FW) and Inoculum (I) of Rumen fluid at various mixtures (100%CD, 70%CD: 30%FW & 100%I, 30%C: 70%FW & 100%I). The digestion process took place at room temperature for a thirty (30) day period, the lag phase for these reactor were six (6) days for 100%CD and four (4) days for both 70%CD: 30%FW & 100%I and 30%C: 70%FW & 100%I. This anaerobic digestion process produced biogas in all the three (3) with 70%CD: 30%FW & 100%I having highest volume of 0.1litres. The final value of Total solids for 100%CD was 682mg/L, 70%CD: 30%FW & 100%I was 633mg/L 30%C: 70%FW & 100%I was 660mg/L. Volatile solids for 100%CD was 340mg/L, 70%CD: 30%FW & 100%I was 447mg/L, 30%C: 70%FW & 100%I was 462mg/L, Total Nitrogen for 100%CD was 3.2%, 70%CD: 30%FW & 100%I was 3%, 30%C: 70%FW & 100%I was 1.7%, Organic Carbon content for 100%CD was 10%, 70%CD: 30%FW & 100%I was 9.8%, 30%C: 70%FW & 100%I was 13.55% these values were reduced because of anaerobic digestion compared to their initial value before anaerobic digestion. From the result analysis anaerobic co- digestion improved the volume of biogas produced where reactor D2 of Chicken Droplet (CD) 70%: Food Waste (FW) 30% & Inoculum (I) 100% and D3 30%CD: 70%FW & 100%I produced more biogas volume than mono digestion. Thus, Chicken droplets and food waste are good sources of biogas production.