Laboratory Scale Preparation of Biogas from Cassava Tubers, Cassava Peels, and Palm Kernel Oil Residues

Abstract

The feasibility of utilizing cassava tuber, cassava peels, palm kernel cake, and palm kernel shells in methane production through anaerobic digestion was evaluated in this work. The production of biogas from cassava tuber, cassava peels, palm kernel shell, and palm kernel cake was investigated in laboratory scale using the simple single-state digesters of 2 liter working volume. The digester was fed on a batch-basis with the slurry of cassava tuber, cassava peels, palm kernel shell, and palm kernel cake containing average moisture content of 18% and operated at a temperature of 35°C for 30 days. Measured biogas yields for cassava tuber, cassava peels, palm kernel cake, and palm kernel shell were 0.66, 0.66, 0.58, and 0.08 m3/(kg VS), respectively, after 30 days digestion time. Methane production from cassava tuber, cassava peels, palm kernel cake, and palm kernel shell was 0.31, 0.28, 0.32, and 0.05 m3/(kg VS), respectively. From this laboratory scale study, it can be concluded that cassava tuber, cassava peels, and palm kernel cake can be used in an ecologically sound way as substrates for anaerobic digestion.