Abstract
This study investigated the potential of biogas production from three (3) constructed wetland macrophytes: Water hyacinth (WH), cattail (CT) and Cyperus papyrus (CP). The digesters used had capacity of 0.22 cm3 each. They were operated under anaerobic conditions with organic loading rate (ORL) of 0.2 kg VS/m3.day and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5 days. Observations were made for a period of 128 days. The results show that the three macrophytes produced methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in reasonable quantities. The other gases such as H2S and CO were present in minute quantities only. The results show mean biogas production flows of 38.52±13.05, 75.63±14.34 and 38.52±13.05 mL/kg VS for WH, CT and CP respectively. The mean percentage CH4 production for WH, CT and CP were 54.45±6.86, 42.02±11.10 and 38.52±13.05%, respectively. The corresponding mean percentage CO2 productions were 42.71±3.0, 39.73±4.48 and 43.24±2.96%. The energy potentials in terms of calorific value were 9.22, 7.02 and 6.13 W/kg of biomass for WH, CT and CP respectively. It was concluded that from water hyacinth alone, a conservative off-grid renewable energy of about 11,825 MW/year is possible as addition to reduce the Nigerian energy demand gap. Key words: Renewable energy, biogas, macrophytes, constructed wetland, Nigeria.
Highlights
In the face of dwindling global fossil fuel, the need to reduce greenhouse gases and provide cheap and sustainable sources of energy especially in the developing world, it has become necessary to explore alternative sources of energy from different kinds of biomasses
This study investigated the potential of biogas production from three (3) constructed wetland macrophytes: Water hyacinth (WH), cattail (CT) and Cyperus papyrus (CP)
The digesters used had capacity of 0.22 cm3 each. They were operated under anaerobic conditions with organic loading rate (ORL) of 0.2 kg VS/m3.day and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5 days
Summary
In the face of dwindling global fossil fuel, the need to reduce greenhouse gases and provide cheap and sustainable sources of energy especially in the developing world, it has become necessary to explore alternative sources of energy from different kinds of biomasses. Certain wetland macrophytes have over the years been known for their beneficial uses as well as their detrimental effects on the environment Apart from their efficiency for use as wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands (Adeniran, 2015), water hyacinth is known for its fecund growth and persistent aquatic problem leading to ecological and economic difficulty ranging from navigation impediments, irrigation system clogging and eutrophication (Ezeri, 2002; Malik, 2007; Mathur, 2013). In addition to being detrimental biologically to the aquatic environment, it physically blocks the waterways thereby impeding transportation and human activities Their masses when adrift dislodge fishing nets in water resulting in huge financial losses to artisanal fisher-folk. Cattail and Cyprus papyrus which are ubiquitous in their distribution and exhibit rapid growth rate have the potential to eliminate other native plant species in their domain and obstruct water ways (Alvinge, 2010)
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