Effect of Pretreatment on the Biogas Production from Energy Plant Using Batch Reactor

Abstract

The proposed study aims at biogas potential estimation of sugar beet using different total solid concentration and pretreatment methods. The effect of alkali (Sodium hydroxide), acid (Hydrochloric acid) and mechanical (particle size reduction) pretreatment of sugar beet over un-pretreated substrate have been investigated for the potential of biogas production using biphasic continuous bio digester–TEAM (TERI’s Enhanced Acidification and Methanation) process (50 kg/day capacity) developed by TERI+. The estimation of biogas potential of sugar beet has also been studied in single phase batch digester (2 L capacity) using three different Total Solids (TS) concentration viz. 5%, 7.5% and 10%. However the effect of particle size reduction was also studied in two phase digester. The biogas yield from single phase batch digester fed with 5% TS, 7.5% TS, 10% TS, were recorded as 44 m3/ton, 58 m3/ton, 57 m3/ton of substrate fed respectively whereas the yield from un-pretreated, HCl (6%; v/v) pretreated and NaOH (1%; w/v) pretreated sugar beet are, 72 m3/ton, 60 m3/ton and 61 m3/ton respectively. The biogas yield from mechanically pulverized is estimated to be 90 m3/ton which is 25% more than not pretreated substrate that too in Total Hydraulic Time (HRT) of less than six days.