Biogas production from food waste and effect of its slurry on Plant growth by Somil Thakur
Abstract
Increasing population has increased the amount of waste generation leading to a new crisis in the form of solid waste management. Scientists around the world are focusing on the alternatives to utilize this solid waste in an energy efficient way. This solid waste includes both biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. Kitchen waste forms a major portion of this biodegradable waste. The presented study is based on utilization of this abundant biodegradable waste for producing biogas which is the best source of renewable energy. Biogas production is an age old concept to produce energy using mainly cattle dung. However, the slurry produced from such plants has always been an issue to discuss. This study provides a solution to this problem by utilization of slurry as compost. The total biogas production was 4290ml, 4450ml, 6430ml, 12210ml, 11175ml in Digester number A, B, C, D, E respectively after 33 days of study. Also best growth of ladyfinger plant was observed by slurry of digester number E. This is a novel work focused on food waste as well as slurry management through biogas production. Different process parameters were analyzed during the process of biogas generation i.e. Total Solids, Suspended Solids, pH and Volatile Fatty Acids etc. This process technology can be further used to set-up small scale biogas plants in households for proper use of gas generation by food waste under natural environmental conditions and efficient usage of slurry
produced.
