Biomethane Potential from Co-digestion of Cassava and Winery Waste in South Africa

Abstract

Co-digestion of cassava and winery waste was investigated for the production of biogas. Cassava biomass is a good substrate due to its high carbohydrate yield per hectare (4.742kg/carb) than most plants. Winery waste is a growing problem in South Africa due to high amounts currently being dumped at landfills. Due to the chemical properties of the two substrates it is envisaged that their co-digestion will produce more biogas than use of a single substrate. Biomethane potential (BMP) tests were carried out in a batch, mesophilic (37˚C±0.5) reactor using cassava and winery waste singly and in combination at a ratio of 1:1 and run for 30 days. The results showed that cumulative methane yield for cassava, winery waste and in combination were 42, 21 and 38 mLCH4 respectively. It was concluded that biogas production from anaerobic digestion was dependent on many factors such as pH, substrate properties and the ratio of different feedstocks used during co-digestion.