Evaluation of the biogas productivity potential of maize waste using ruminal fluid and pig manure

Abstract

In this research, the yield of biogas production through the anaerobic digestion of maize lignocellulosic wastes using pig manure and ruminal fluid as inoculums was evaluated. It was determined the best inoculum ratio, the effect of substrate particle size (0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, and in natura) and inoculum/substrate ratio (ISR) (1:1, 2:1, 3:1)) g of volatile solids (VS) inoculum/g VS substrate over the quantity of methane production. Some parameters such as total reducing sugars and volatile fatty acids were measured for the best operating condition. The ratio 80:20 w/w of the inoculums presented the highest methane production. The highest methane yield was 0,019 m 3 CH4/kg substrate VS, and the composition of the gas was 68.97 % of methane. It was observed that small substrate particle size and less quantity of inoculum organic load improved the methane production.