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Research Paper | Chemistry | Ethiopia | Volume 3 Issue 5, May 2014

Evaluation of the Feasibility of Biogas Production from Leftover Foods of Bahir Dar University Students? Cafeteria

Alemayehu Gashaw | Solomon Libsu | R.B. Chavan

Abstract: The aim of this research is to generate biogas; an alternative and viable source of energy for household consumption in particular; from substrate consisting of leftover foods collected from Bahir Dar University students cafeteria and cow dung; taken in a weight ratio of 7: 3. The production of biogas from the substrate was attempted using plastic digesters of 150 L; 20 L; and 1.8 L capacity under anaerobic conditions. The leftover foods were collected from the students cafeteria while cow dung was fetched from the Universitys ranch. The production of biogas was monitored over a period of 60 days. Parameters such as pH; temperature; total solids; volatile solids; and ash and moisture contents of the raw and digested sludges were determined using standard methods. The average volume of biogas produced from three separate digesters; each volume of 1.8 L; was measured using water displacement method and was found to be 5.6 ml of biogas per gram of substrate. Injera with shiro stew; vegetable sauce and injera with peas kik stew have higher %VS/TS suggesting their usefulness as desirable substrates for biogas generation. The flammable gas was observed from laboratory scale digesters; on 45th day after charging the waste. As shown in the result; reduction of total solids and volatile solids of food waste was observed after digested sludge was treated for solid analysis. This indicates that; the raw substrate charged in the digester was degraded to produce biogas. Food waste has a highest organic content and biodegradability; so it is a useful substrate for biogas production.

Keywords: Leftover foods, Biogas, Anaerobic Digestion, Bio-methanation, Bahir Dar University

Edition: Volume 3 Issue 5, May 2014,

Pages: 1122 - 1127