Green energy (biomethane) production from codigestion of abattoir, market and grass waste as substrates

Abstract: South Africa had in the past years been experiencing an increased energy demand. High energy crisis called for research and development in a quest for alternative energy sources (waste to energy) that drive the Nation economy forward in line with Sustainable and National development goals. Utilizing organic waste to produce biogas as a source of energy could significantly help alleviate this problem. Biogas is renewable energy, a mixture primarily consisting of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The study evaluated mono-digestion of market waste (MW), abattoir waste (AW), and grass (G) and co-digestion of the three mix of substrate by determining their biomethane potential under mesophilic conditions of 37oC. It was found that the mono-digestion of grass produced high methane (1035.3 Nml) after the stipulated 14 days of hydraulic retention time, Abattoir waste, and market waste produced 722.1 Nml and 470.7 Nml of methane respectively, and the co- digestion of all substrates produced 1013.1 Nml of methane after 14 days. Co-digestion of the substrates assisted to regulate the anaerobic digestion condition or variables for biomethane production. Co-digestion of the substrate was recommended for optimality or increase in methane yield