Bio-methane Potential of Okra Calyx, Banana and Potato Peels through Anaerobic Digestion /

Abstract

Fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW) are major components of domestic waste. Utilizing this significant amount of organic waste can yield sufficient energy for heating, cooking or electricity generation.. This study primarily focuses on evaluation of anaerobic digestion of different types of fruit and vegetable waste including potato peels, banana peels, okra calyx,. The substrates were tested at different feed to inoculum (F/I) ratios of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4. Therefore, bio-methane potential (BMP) assay was set up for the conversion of these waste materials into useful biogas. The effect of feed to inoculum (F/I) ratio was tested on different ranges of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 and 4.5 was observed at mesophilic conditions (35°C). The physical and chemical parameters including Elemental Analysis, COD values, pH, of all three Substrates and inoculum were examined. Gas samples were tested using a gas chromatograph for methane determination. Most suitable F/I ratios were found as 1.5 for banana and okra calyx, and 2.5 for Potato peels. Maximum methane yield were obtained in range of 60-65% these optimized F/I ratios are useful for design and operation of large scale anaerobic digesters. The study shows that there occurs a great opportunity to recover green energy from fruit and vegetable waste. This will also be beneficial in minimizing the methane emissions from organic waste which is dumped in landfills.