Abstract
Availability of Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) has increased due to the increase in the number of cottage oil palm processing industries in developing countries. A quest for clean energy from bio-waste is also on the increase. This study aims at investigating the biogas generating capacity of de-oiled PKC and its corresponding methane content. De-oiled PKC and a mixture of de-oiled PKC and fresh sugar cane chips were used as the two bio-feed samples in a laboratory anaerobic digestion set up. A theoretical approach was also used to determine the expected methane content in the biogas. Laboratory results for de-oiled PKC gave the volume by weight of bio-feed for biogas and methane to be 12.7 ml/g and 4.2 ml/g respectively and that of the combination of de-oiled PKC and fresh sugar cane chips to be 3.15 ml/g and 1.25 ml/g respectively. The measured methane composition for de-oiled PKC and that of the combination of de-oiled PKC and fresh sugar cane chips to be 33% and 40% respectively while the theoretical estimates were 33.5% and 41.1% respectively. The study shows that de-oiled palm kernel cake has biogas/methane generation potential whose quality can be improved by the addition of other biogas producing wastes.KEYWORDS: Biogas, Agro-Industrial Waste, Palm Kernel Cake, Anaerobic Digestion, Wastewater.
Highlights
Biogas is a mixture of gases mainly carbon dioxide and methane that results from anaerobic fermentation of organic matter by bacteria (GreenLearning Canada Foundation, 2017)
The expected theoretical methane content of de-oiled palm kernel cake is given by 0.766 x 43.75 which is equal to 33.51%
The expected theoretical methane content of fresh sugar cane chips is given by 0.977 x 49.868 which is equal to 48.72%
Summary
Biogas is a mixture of gases mainly carbon dioxide and methane that results from anaerobic fermentation of organic matter by bacteria (GreenLearning Canada Foundation, 2017). Biogas is mainly composed of 50 to 70 percent methane, 30 to 40 percent carbon dioxide (CO2) and low amount of other gases (Hydrogen 5-10%, Nitrogen 1-2%, Water vapour 0.3%, and traces of hydrogen sulphide). Closed tank digester system with biogas capture and utilisation can contribute to the sustainable development rather than open air disposal of palm oil industry wastes. This method has been developed for treating palm oil mill effluents (Understanding Energy, 2017). The major part of the balance of the biogas is CO2 (36%) with traces of hydrogen sulphide (Understanding Energy, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
