Anaerobic Digestion of Kitchen and Sewage Sludge Bio Waste to Biogas Using Engineered Bio Catalysis

Abstract

In this study kitchen bio waste and sewage sludge were co-digested anaerobically to produce biogas with the aid of Hycura, engineering granules to enhance bio methane production. Co-digestion was conducted for mesophilic temperatures of 37 °C in a 20 L bio digester for a period of 30 days. Kitchen and sewage sludge were inoculated in the ratio 50:50. Hycura was inoculated to enhance biogas production at a loading of 0.05 g/L. The co-digestion resulted in significant degrease of the total volatile solids and chemical oxygen demand of the bio waste by >75%. Mesophilic conditions favored high quality bio methane production with methane content as high as 74%. Inoculation with Hycura hindered H2S production which enhanced the quality of the biogas and makes it easier for upgrading.