Abstract
Anaerobic digestion is often used to stabilized and convert organic wastes into methane and biological fertilizer. However, when applied to fecal sludge, it doesn’t yield good methane due to its high content of nitrogen. Here we have conducted anaerobic digestion of fecal sludge in the presence of iron powder (Fe) as electron donor. Results showed that 4822.7 mL CH4 kg-1 was successfully recovered from fecal sludge in the control. The use of Fe in the anaerobic bio-digester remarkably improved methane yield. Indeed, up to 9933.3 mL CH4 kg-1 wet sludge was recovered when Fe is properly used (1 g Fe for 400 g wet weight), compared to 4822.7 mL kg-1 in the control. The concentration of methane in the produced biogas increased from 58.0% in the control to 72.5% and 77.6% in the presence of iron powder, respectively at the dose rate of 0.5 g Fe and 1 g Fe per 400 g wet sludge. COD removal efficiency was also greatly improved. 65.5% of COD was removed when excreta was properly spiked with Fe (1g Fe) against 42.2% in the control. This corresponds to an increasing rate of 23%. Furthermore, the presence of Fe in the digesters considerably reduced the odor by trapping produced sulphur ion and prevent the formation of H2S responsible for the sickening odor.
Highlights
Fecal sludge known as excreta is the rejected waste by human
The sludge underwent pretreatment which consisted into the determination of physicochemical parameters such as pH, water content (W), dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), volatile matter (VM), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) determination
This study allowed us to appreciate the role of electron donors (Fe) on fecal sludge valorization during anaerobic digestion process
Summary
Fecal sludge known as excreta is the rejected waste by human. It constitutes one of the greatest and dangerous wastes, which management still remains a great challenge worldwide. Tons of it are generated each day and its management varies from one region to another across the world. In 2014, it was reported that nearly 2.5 billion people were without enhanced sanitation, of which about 1 billion people practiced open defecation [3]. In Africa, waste management represents a great challenge; the technology to encounter the challenges are often not Ignace Chabi Agani et al.: Enhancement of Fecal Sludge Conversion Into Biogas Using
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