%0 Journal Article
%T Boosting biogas yield of anaerobic digesters by utilizing concentrated molasses from 2nd generation bioethanol plant
%A Shiplu Sarker
%A Henrik Bjarne M£¿ller
%J International Journal of Energy and Environment
%D 2013
%I International Energy and Environment Foundation (IEEF)
%X Concentrated molasses (C5 molasses) from 2nd generation bioethanol plant has been investigated for enhancing productivity of manure based digesters. A batch study at mesophilic condition (35¡À1C) showed the maximum methane yield from molasses as 286 LCH4/kgVS which was approximately 63% of the calculated theoretical yield. In addition to the batch study, co-digestion of molasses with cattle manure in a semi-continuously stirred reactor at thermophilic temperature (50¡À1¡ãC) was also performed with a stepwise increase in molasses concentration. The results from this experiment revealed the maximum average biogas yield of 1.89 L/L/day when 23% VSmolasses was co-digested with cattle manure. However, digesters fed with more than 32% VSmolasses and with short adaptation period resulted in VFA accumulation and reduced methane productivity indicating that when using molasses as biogas booster this level should not be exceeded.
%K Molasses
%K 2nd generation bio-ethanol plant
%K Anaerobic digesters
%K Biogas yield
%U http://www.ijee.ieefoundation.org/vol4/issue2/IJEE_04_v4n2.pdf