Biogas and biomass pellet production from water hyacinth

Abstract

The prime objective of this paper was to produce the biogas and biomass pellets from water hyacinth. The leaf and petiole were chopped, grind, squeezed and then separated into two parts as squeezed out juice and remaining fiber. The squeezed out water as water hyacinth juice (SWWH) was used to produce biogas with microorganisms at a ratio of 1: 1 (8 liters of SWWH/8 liters of microorganisms). Water hyacinth fiber (WHF), with a moisture content of 10.57% wet basis, was used to produce biomass pellets. The results showed that a total of 458.44 liters of biogas was produced from SWWH with microorganisms consisting of 68.67% CH4, 18.23% CO2, and 13.10% other gases. Specific methane yield and the potential to biodegrade methane were 237.37 L CH4/kgVSadded and 51.89%, respectively. Test results of biomass pellets from water hyacinth with water ratio of 10:90 indicated that the bulk density, diameter, durability, fines content, length, and moisture of the pellets met the criteria of the US Standards (PFI standard), except for inorganic ash and chloride contents.