Biogas Potentiality of Agro-wastes Jatropha Fruit Coat

Abstract

Abstract — The present investigation was undertaken to explore the biogas potentiality of Jatropha ( Jatropha curcas , Euphorbiaceae) Fruit Coat (JFC) alone and in combination with cattle dung (CD) in various proportions at 15 per cent total solids by batch phase anaerobic digestion for a period of ten weeks HRT (Hydraulic Retention Time) under a temperature of 35 o C+1 o C. The maximum biogas production was noticed in Cattle dung and Jatropha Fruit Coat in 2:1 ratio with 403.84 L/kg dry matter followed by 3:1,1:2, 1:1 and 1:3 having 329.66, 219.77, 217.79, 203.64 L /kg dm respectively as compared to 178.49 L/kg dm in CD alone. The JFC alone found to produce 91 per cent of total biogas that obtained from Cattle dung. The per cent methane content of the biogas in all the treatments was found on par with Cattle dung. Keywords — Jatropha Fruit Coat, Cattle dung, Hydraulic Retention Time, Dry matter I. I NTRODUCTION ETHANE production from biomass is an interesting option for increasing the energy independence and efficient waste management. The animal wastes with their relatively low carbon to nitrogen ratios, improved for digestion purposes by adding cellulosic wastes such as crop residues, grasses, straw, etc beside feed density [1]. The knowledge on the conversion of substrates other than the traditionally used cattle dung for biogas production is insufficient [2].