Comparative study of calorific values and proximate analysis of biogas from different feedstocks

Abstract

Wastes used in this research paper were Orange and plantain peels with the addition of catalyst (clay). From the experiment carried out, the co-digestion of orange and plantain peels was the first to become flammable. The retention time was 66 days during which the ambient temperature and slurry temperature fluctuated between 22°C to 42°C which is within the range of mesophilic temperature. Orange peel, plantain peel and Orange/plantain became combustible on 64th,55th, and 31st day respectively. Calorific values of the samples were 15,213.85 KJ/Kg, 18,309.35 K J/Kg, and 16761.60 KJ/Kg respectively. Biochemical demands and chemical demand were obtained. The biogas produced was analyzed using biogas analyzer. The methane composition of the biogas produced were 70.70 %, 82.99 % and 77.85 % respectively. The proximate analysis of the samples was done. The Ash content was 0.35% for Orange peel, 0.55% for plantain peel and 0.41% for Orange/plantain due to the co-digestion process. The total viable count of the samples was also done.