Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste with crude glycerol for biogas production

Abstract

Biogas production from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and crude glycerol was investigated in this study. The effect of different combination ratios of substrates on biogas production were examined with the inoculum to substrate ratio of 1:2. The batch experiments were carried out at temperature of 35 °C and 55 °C to determine the influences of temperature on biogas production. The pH of the digesters was recorded in the range between 6.5 to 8.0. Based on the results, the co-digestion of food waste and glycerol using combination ratio of 3:1 at 35 °C gave the highest total biogas yield. The highest percentage of total solid (TS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction were 32.6 % and 35.8 % which also achieved by the combination food waste and glycerol ratio of 3:1 at 35 °C. The results revealed that co-digestion of food waste and glycerol is promising in the experimental conditions studied and can potentially be used to enhance biogas production while contributing to the management and treatment of these wastes.