Bioresource Technology, Vol.255, 288-292, 2018
Biomethanation of water hyacinth biomass
The aim of this study was to test practical solutions to improve biogas yield during the anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth (WH) biomass. Increasing the WH (whole plant) solid content to similar to 40% through sun drying (6 h), and its subsequent digestion increased biogas yield by 14% with a higher biogas methane (75%) content. Ensilation of dried WH (40% moisture) was found effective for its preservation to ensure its continuous availability even during offseasons, but the biogas yield from six months ensilated biomass was 20% less compared with fresh WH. Co-digestion of WH with waste activated sludge and food waste revealed similar to 150 and similar to 400 ml biogas/g VS respectively against similar to 140 ml/g VS of WH alone. The practical approaches tested in this study like pre-treatment, preservation, and co-digestion of WH found to be effective to make its bio methanation more feasible.