Co-digestion of Duckweed with Cow dung for Biogas Production

Abstract

This thesis explores the synergistic potential of co-digesting cow dung and duckweed as a novel approach for biogas production. The increasing demand for renewable energy sources necessitates innovative solutions to enhance biogas yield and sustainability. The study investigates the combined digestion of cow dung and duckweed, evaluating their biogas production capabilities. Through a comprehensive analysis of process parameters such as feedstock ratios, hydraulic retention times, temperature, pH levels, total solids, volatile solids and removal efficiencies, this research aims to elucidate the optimal conditions for maximizing biogas production from the co-digestion process. The experiment conducted in this thesis concluded that after 60 days of observation involving batch production from four different mixture ratios and two controls it was found that the highest daily average and cumulative biogas yield were recorded for the mixture of 60% cow dung and 40% duckweed. These values were respectively 1.94 L/day and 116.64 L. This was followed up by the mixture of 40% cow dung and 60% duckweed whose respective values for daily average and cumulative biogas yield for the same time period were 0.95 L/day and 56.79 L. Also, the highest methane composition was observed for 100% duckweed batch which was 45.36%. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of co-digestion dynamics and provide valuable insights for the development of efficient and environmentally friendly biogas production systems. As biogas continues to gain prominence as a clean energy source, the outcomes of this research have implications for sustainable waste management and energy generation practices, fostering a more resilient and eco-conscious future.