ISSN: 2278 7798 International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR) Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013

Biogas Production from a mixture of Water Hyacinth, Water Chestnut and Cow Dung
K. Sudhakar, R.Ananthakrishnan and Abhishek Goyal
Abstract There is an increasing need to replace conventional energy with the renewable energy to save our natural resources and our environment. Bio-energy seems to be the most probable solution to this crisis. In this study, the biogas production potential of the mixture of water chestnut, water hyacinth and cow dung in the ratio of 1:1:2 has been discussed. The three variants were charged into a 20L portable bio-digester in the ratio of 1:1 with water. They were subjected to anaerobic digestion under a 35 day retention period and mesophilic temperature range of 26o C-35o C. Volume of per day biogas production was measured along with the retention time. Generation of biogas from a mixture of aquatic weeds and cow dung upholds the concept of waste to wealth in enhancing sustainability of development. The biogas generated can be utilized by producing energy from its combustion. Index Terms Aquatic weeds, Biogas, Water Chestnut, Water Hyacinth, Waste.

I. INTRODUCTION Achieving solutions to possible shortage in fossil fuels and environmental problems that the world is facing today requires long-term potential actions for sustainable development. In this context, renewable energy resources appear to be one of the most efficient and effective solutions [1]. Bio-energy is now accepted as having the potential to provide a major part of the projected renewable energy provisions of the future [2-3]. Biogas, which is one of the byproducts of anaerobic digestion, comprises about 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide [4]. It has been used as a source of fuel in several countries such as India, China, Sweden, Bangladesh etc. for lighting and cooking purposes. The content of biogas varies with the material being decomposed and the environmental conditions involved [5]. Biogas production comprises of three stages namely hydrolysis, acidogenesis and methanogenesis. (C6H10O5)n + nH2O n (C6 H12 O6) - Hydrolysis n(C6H12O6)nCH3COOH-Acidogenesis 3nCH3COOH n CH4 + CO2- Methanogenesis Various wastes have been utilized for biogas production and they include amongst others; animal wastes [6-8], industrial
K. Sudhakar, Assistant Professor, Department of Energy, M.A.N.I.T. Bhopal 462051, Madhya Pradesh, India Tel: +91-755-4051000, Fax: +91-755-2670562, R.Ananthakrishnan ,B.Tech Scholar, , Department of Energy, M.A.N.I.T. Bhopal 462051, Madhya Pradesh, India,Tel: +919981205755, Abhishek Goyal, B.Tech Scholar, , Department of Energy, M.A.N.I.T. Bhopal 462051, Madhya Pradesh, India, Tel: +918989005101, .

wastes [9] and food processing wastes [10]. Aquatic weeds are one of such biomass being considered as a potential feed stock [11-13]. A biogas system becomes flammable when its methane content is at least 45%.Methane has a heating value of 15.6 MJ/kg [14]. Consequently, biogas can be utilized in all energy consuming applications designed for natural gas [15]. Water Hyacinth is recognized as a very aggressive species of aquatic plant, which grows very fast and eliminates other aquatic species in its composition [16]. In many places in India, such as the lakes of Bhopal, water hyacinth continues to present daunting environmental and economic problems. Water chestnut is an annual, oating-leaved aquatic plant of temperate and tropical fresh-water wetlands, rivers, lakes, ponds, and estuaries. Water chestnut forms extensive dense beds in lakes, rivers, and freshwater-tidal habitats. Because of this tendency it is considered as a pest in the U.S. This causes displacement of aquatic plants, interference with fishing and boating, as well as the depletion of dissolved oxygen which adversely affects sh communities [17]. Bhopal is a city which has several lakes where water hyacinth and water chestnut are present in plethora. Consequently, this study was undertaken to investigate the production of biogas from these aquatic weeds. II. EXPERIMENTAL A. Digester Design The bio-digester was made from a 20L water can as shown in figure 1. The neck of the can was closed with a cork. By using aeralyte the neck was made air-tight so as to prevent any escape of biogas. The cork was drilled and plastic T valve was inserted. One outlet was connected to a spherical mylar balloon and the other outlet was connected to Bunsen burner. The biogas when produced was stored in the mylar ballon. The bio-digester was placed in the bio-energy lab where optimum sunlight is available throughout the day. The study was performed during October-November 2012. The Bunsen burner was used to check the flammability of the gas.

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All Rights Reserved 2013 IJSETR

ISSN: 2278 7798 International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR) Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The experiment was carried out under ambient temperature range of 26 to 36oC and within a retention period of 35 days. The daily biogas production is graphically presented in Fig 3. The digester commenced biogas production within 24hr of its charging. The output gas obtained became flammable within 24hr of charging the digester. The gas production and its flammability reduced drastically on the 17th day and increased after 22nd day. The cumulative biogas yield of the paper waste was lower in the first 17 days. When the biogas production resumed, it was observed that the production was quite high and continued long until the blend nearly stopped production. A highest of 1.21L of biogas was produced on the 19th day. The average per day production of biogas was 0.326L/day. However when the flammable biogas production resumed, it was observed that the gas production was quite high and continued long after the blend had nearly stopped production. Overall 11.41L of biogas was accumulated by the end of the retention period. The general accepted mean calorific value of biogas is 20MJ/m3. The energy that can obtained by 11.41L of biogas would be 228KJ.

Figure 1: Biodigester setup B. Preparation and Feeding of Biomass Water hyacinth (Jal Kumbhi) and Water Chestnut (Singada) was obtained from lakes of Bhopal. Cow dung was obtained from the nearby village in MANIT district. 500 gms of both the aquatic weeds were allowed to dry and then chopped as shown in figure 2. These dried and chopped aquatic plants were then mixed with freshly procured cow dung, in the ratio of 1:2 by volume. The bio-digester was fed with this mixture along with water in the ratio of 1:1 by volume, making net volume as 18L. The digester contents were stirred adequately and on a daily basis to ensure homogenous dispersion of the constituents of the mixture. Gas production measured in dm3/kg of slurry (15kg) was obtained by measuring the diameter of mylar balloon using a measuring tape.

1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

Volume Production in Litres

1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 Figure 3: Volume of gas production (L) vs Days IV. CONCLUSION The study has shown that water hyacinth and water chestnut which can be found in abundance everywhere including the lakes of Bhopal, are very good feedstock for biogas production. These aquatic weeds which interfere in the growth of other aquatic plants and clog lakes making it difficult for boating, shing, and swimming, can be utilized for energy generation. The study has also shown the mixture of water chestnut, water hyacinth and cow dung gives sustained gas flammability throughout the digestion period of the biomass. The biogas obtained can be utilized to replace the cooking gas to some extent. Biogas can be produced by organizations near the lakes of the city. Biogas can also be used in engines by the route of combustion.

Figure 2: Dried and chopped water chestnut C. Analysis Gas production was measured in dm3 per kg of slurry (15kg) by obtaining the diameter of mylar balloon using a measuring tape. Flammability was checked by igniting the gas at Bunsen burner.

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ISSN: 2278 7798 International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR) Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
REFERENCES [1]Kaygusuz, K. and Kaygusuz, A., (2002) Renewable energy and sustainable development in Turkey. Renewable Energy.25 (3):431-453. [2]Schuck, S., 2006. Biomass as an energy source. INT. J. ENVIRON. STUD. 63(6):823-835. [3] Kaygusuz, K., 2009. Bioenergy as a Clean and Sustainable Fuel: Energy Sources Part A. 31(12):535-545. [4] Maishanu, S.M., Musa, M. and Sambo, A.S., (1990) Biogas Technology: The output of the Sokoto Energy Research Centre. Nigerian Journal of Solar Energy. 9:183-194. [5] Anunputtikul, W. and Rodtong, S., (2004) The Joint International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental (SEE), Hua Hin, Thailand. 1-3 Dec: 238-243. [6] Nwagbo, E.E., Dioha, I.J. and Gulma, M.A., (1991) Qualitative investigation of biogas from Cow and Donkey dung. Nigerian Journal of Solar Energy. 10:145-149. [7] Zuru, A.A., Saidu, H., Odum, E.A., and Onuorah,O. A.,(1998) A comparative study of biogas production from horse, goat and sheep dungs. Nigerian Journal of Renewable Energy.6 (1&2):43-47. [8] Alvarez, R., Villica, R., and Liden, G., (2006) Biogas production from llama manure at high altitude. Biomass and Bioenergy. 30: 66-75. [9] Uzodinma, E.O., Ofoefule, A.U., Eze, J.I. and Onwuka, N.D., (2007). Biogas Production from blends of Agro-industrial wastes. Trends in Applied Sciences Research 2 (6): 554-558. [10] Arvanitoyannis, I.S. and Varzakas, .., (2008) Vegetable waste treatment, Critical. Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 48(3):205-247. [11] Vaidyanathan, S., Kavadia, K.M., Shroff, K.C. and Mahajan, S.P., (1985) Biogas production in batch and semi continuous digesters using water hyacinth: Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 27(6):905-8. [12] Verma, V.K., Singh, Y.P. and Rai, J.P.N., (2007) Biogas production from plant biomass used for phytoremediation of industrial wastes. Bio resource Technology. 98:16641669. [13] Momoh O.L.Y. and Nwaogazie I.L., (2008). Effect of waste paper on biogas production from co- digestion of cow dung and water hyacinth in batch reactors. Journal Applied Science and Environmental Management, 124:9598. [14] FAO (1979). China: Azolla Propagation and small Biogas Technology Agricultural Service Bulletin No.41 FAO Rome. [15] Ross, C., (1966). Handbook on Biogas Utilization, 2nd Edition Muscle shoals. Al Southeastern Regional Biomass Energy Program, Tennessee Valley Authority. [16] Holm, L.G., Plucknett, D.L., Pancho,J.V., and Herberger, J.P.,(1977) The worlds worst weeds: Distribution and biology. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii. 609. [17] Hummel , M. and Kiviat, E., (2004).Review of World Literature on Water Chestnut with Implications for Management in North America. J. Aquat. Plant Manage. 42: 17-28
K.Sudhakar obtained his B.E in Mechanical Engineering from Government College of Engg., Salem and M.Tech in Energy Management from School of Energy And Environmental Studies, Devi Ahilya University, Indore and Ph.D from National Insitute of Technology,Tiruchirapalli.. He was awarded Senior Research Fellowship by DST and Young Scientist Award by Madhya Pradesh State Council of Science and Technology, Bhopal. His major research area includes: Climate Change, Carbon Sequestration, Hybrid System, Plant Fuel cell, Algal Bio-fuel, Solar Thermal & PV Systems,Wind Energy and Energy Conservation. He has published more than 50 research papers in International Journal and Conference. He is a Certified Energy Manager & Energy Auditor by BEE. He has been a keynote speaker and resource person at several International/National Conferences. He is currently working as Assistant Professor in Energy Department,Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal.E-mail address: sudha_k@sify.com

R.Ananthakrishnan. Final year, B.Tech, energy engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. India .He has interests in the field of Biomass Energy. He has also presented a paper at the technical festival of IIT-B. Mr.Ananthakrishnan is currently the Chairman at the Indian Society for Technical Education Students Chapter MANIT. Email address: rakrishnan.iyer@gmail.com Abhishek Goyal. Final year, B.Tech, energy engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. India. He has interests in the field of Solar, Wind and Biomass Energy. He is currently working in the cultivation of algae for biofuel. He is currently a member of ISTE and SAE MANIT. Email: abhishek.goyal798@gmail.com

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