Production of biogas from food processing waste-water

Abstract EN

Mesophilic anaerobic treatment of wastewater from food (vegetables and fruits) processing industry has been carried out in two sets of experiments.

The first set of experiments is in one phase operation in 1 and 65 litter UASB reactors, and the second set, in a continuous way with acidogenic and methanogenic separation; the acidogenic phase was conducted in a 3.25 litters fluidized bed anaerobic reactor.

Feasibility of this process, with benefits of energy generation and pollution control has been demonstrated.

Using the anaerobic sludge from sewage wastewater treatment anaerobic reactor as seed; COD conversion to as high as 95% in two phase continuous experiments; and average methane yield of 6 m3 CH4 / m3 of wastewater, equivalent to an energy potential of 20 kWh/m3 of wastewater have been attained.

To demonstrate the anaerobic treatment feasibility, experiments have been carried out in two series, in one phase and in two phase continuous operations respectively.

The specific objective of the experiment for one phase operation was to develop a suitable anaerobic sludge, and get basic design parameters for the next set of experiments.

For the second set of experiments, the objective was to test the wastewater without dilution and reduce the HRT to one day.