Comparative study between mono-digestion and co-digestion of terrestrial weed (Parthenium hysterophorus)

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus is considered to be among world's top ten worst terrestrial weed due to their reproduction potential. P.hysterophorus can grow within a few weeks and cover entire agricultural land. P.hysterophorus, is difficult to manage as they can re-grow miraculously even after they are completely eradicated. Availability of P.hysterophorus, in abundance, makes attractive feedstock through anaerobic digestion (AD). In mono digestion, biogas production was observed in lesser quantities due to the accumulation of toxic inhibitors. Co-digestion studies are essential to balance nutrients and dilute toxic inhibitors. During the AD process in biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay, food to microorganisms (F/M) ratio 2 (140 mL CH4 g−1 VS on 26th d) was observed for mono digestion of P. hysterophorus. In co-digestion during the BMP assay, mixing ratio 1.5 (165 mL CH4 g−1 VS on 17th d) was observed. After co-digestion significant amount of biogas increment was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study conducted on P.hysterophorus for biogas production.