Potential Enhancement of Biogas Production from Co-Digestion of Ricinus communis and Datura stramonium Leaves with Vegetable Waste

Abstract

Production of biogas through anaerobic digestion of organic waste materials provides an alternative environmentally eco-friendly renewable energy. In this study, biogas production from co-digestion of vegetable waste (VW), Datura stramonium leaves (DSL) and Ricinus Communis Leaves (RCL) in three mix ratios(60%DSRCL: 40%VW, 50%DSRCL: 50%VW and 40%DSRCL: 60%VW were evaluated under mesophilic condition at 38ºC using a batch mode digester over 30days fermentation. In all the treatments, physico-chemical parameter ssuchas pH, total solid, volatile solid, organic carbon, nitrogen and carbon to nitrogen ratio were measured before and after anaerobic digestion. The results indicated that pH and total nitrogen significantly increased after AD, whereas VS and organic carbon decreased significantly after AD. Biogas yield was found to be higher when the two substrates were co-digested than when digested alone. Of all mix ratios, 60% DSRC leaves co-digested with 40% VW resulted in the highest biogas. Over all the results of this study indicate that the increase in biogas yield and reduction in volatile solids and total solids can be significantly enhanced when vegetable waste is co-digested with Ricinus communis and Datura stramonium leaves (RCDSL)in 60%:40% mix ratio.