Impact of Starch from Cassava Peel on Biogas Produced through the Anaerobic Digestion Process

Alla Mohammed Alrefai, Raid Alrefai, Khaled Younis Benyounis and Joseph Stokes
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Alla Mohammed Alrefai: School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
Raid Alrefai: School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
Khaled Younis Benyounis: School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
Joseph Stokes: School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: Cassava is a form of food that is rich in starch abundant in many countries. Several bio-products can be extracted from its starch and used as an alternative for oil-based products. This study primarily aims to investigate the influence of the starch isolated from cassava peel on the quantity and quality of the biogas produced via anaerobic digestion. Beating pre-treatment was applied for the first time to isolate the starch and mechanically pre-treat the substrate. The influence of temperature, volatile solid and sludge quantity investigations were analysed with the aid of Design of Experiments (DOE). An optimisation process was applied in calculating the energy balance at the optimal results and this was needed in evaluating the impact of the starch on the biogas produced. The study revealed that the influence of the starch on the biogas quality is quite low and, as such, negligible. The largest biogas volume as obtained was 3830 cc at 37 °C, 4.2 g-VS and 50% sludge quantity, while at the same time the maximum CH 4 g −1 -VS was 850 cc g −1 -VS at 37 °C, 1.1 g-VS and 50% sludge quantity. The optimal results show the energy gain could be achieved based on the set criteria.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; biogas; beating pre-treatment; cassava peel; starch; digestate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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