Anaerobic digestion of pineapple pulp and peel in a plug-flow reactor.
The objective of this research was to study the production of biogas by using pineapple pulp and peel, the by-products from fruit processing plants, in a plug-flow reactor (17.5 L total volume). The effects of feed concentration, total solids (TS) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on degradation of the waste were investigated. The increase of pineapple pulp and peel of 2% (wt/vol) at HRT 7 d to 4% (wt/vol) at HRT 10 d showed increases in biogas production rate, biogas yield and methane yield - from 0.12 v/v-d, 0.26 m(3)/kg COD removed and 0.11 m(3)/kg COD removed, with COD removal at 64.1%, to 0.25 v/v-d, 0.43 m(3)/kg COD removed and 0.14 m(3)/kg COD removed, with COD removal at 60.41%. The methanogenic fermentation was more active in the middle and final parts of the reactor. The recirculation of fermentation effluent at 40% (vol/vol) of the working volume into the reactor could increase the biogas production rate and biogas yield up to 52% and 12%, respectively. The results showed technological potential for waste treatment of pineapple pulp and peel in a plug-flow reactor.
Department of Agro-Industrial Technology, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, 1518 Pibulsongkram Rd., BKK 10800, Bangsue Bangkok, Thailand.
Pimjai
P
Namsree
Worakrit
W
Suvajittanont
Chureerat
C
Puttanlek
Dudsadee
D
Uttapap
Vilai
V
Rungsardthong
D000693:Anaerobiosis; D031230:Ananas / Q000378:metabolism*; D056804:Biofuels; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D005285:Fermentation; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
D056804:Biofuels; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008697:Methane