Kinetic Modeling of Biogas Production from the Anaerobic Digestion of Press Mud using Ultrasonication Inorganic Nutrients and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

The inadequacy on energy increases owing to the urbanization and industrialization leading to rapid consumption and depletion of fossil fuel reserves. A new renewable energy resource is essential for the global prosperity. Energy generated from biomass by anaerobic digestion is a prominent technique to replace fossil fuel. The sources of biomass includes wastes from sugar industries. In the Sugar mills, extraction of sugar from the Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) gives effluents like bagasse, molasses, spent wash and press mud. Crude press mud has moisture contents, combustible organic matter suitable for the production of biogas. The present investigation was done with the anaerobic digestion of press mud initiated from the deep and elaborated review in the respective existing literature. Characterization of press mud includes proximate analysis, physico-chemical characteristics, Elemental analysis, Thermo Gravimetric analysis, Gas Chromatographic Mass Spectrometer analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, X-Ray Diffraction analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope analysis. The biogas potential was estimated theoretically from the elemental composition of press mud using Buswell and Boyle formula. In the present study, biogas production from press mud through anaerobic digestion was carried out in a lab scale batch reactors operated at 38ºC with the hydraulic retention time of ±35 days. In anaerobic digestion, hydrolysis is a rate limiting step which decreases the bio chemical conversion process. Ultrasonic pre-treatment technique, mono and co-addition of inorganic nutrients and synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were hypothesized to increase the biogas yield.