Biogas Production from Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste Material in Sugarcane Bagasse Sawdust and Groundnut Shell

Abstract

In the present study, anaerobic co-digestion of lignocellulosic waste materials in sugarcane bagasse, 
groundnut shell and sawdust was investigated. The experiments were carried out in a batch reactor under 
ambient conditions in order to determine which of the substrates have more influence on biogas production. 
Sample AB, BC and AC were carried out at equal ration and sample AB with cumulative gas of 9050ml 
and 67% of methane content appeared to be the best combination and was chosen for the pilot scale set up. 
In the second phase of the experiments sample AB1, BC2, and AC1 with a total gas and methane content 
produced of 9700 ml and 66% CH4, 7040 ml and 54% CH4, 9980 ml and 70% CH4 respectively gave the 
highest yield of gas and methane content; and were chosen as the perfect scale of experiments. In the third 
phase of experiments sample A'BC with a total gas production of 8830 ml and methane content of 69% 
CH4 was chosen as a pilot scale set up.  The short lag phase of the digestion process indicated that the 
microbes acclimatized quickly to the slurry environment. Both sugarcane bagasse, groundnut shell and 
sawdust substrates showed great potential for biogas production. However, sugarcane bagasse and sawdust 
have greater potential in term of the quantitative and percentage of methane content. In conclusion, biogas 
production can mitigate over-dependence on depleting fossil fuel/crude oil in Nigeria and Africa. 
List of abbreviations 
AB = Sugarcane bagasse+Groundnut shell at ratio 1:1; BC = Groundnut shell+ Sawdust at ratio 1:1; AC = 
sugarcane bagasse + Sawdust at ratio 1:1; AB1 = sugarcane bagasse +groundnut shell at ratio 3:2; AB2 = 
Sugarcane bagasse+ groundnut shell at ratio 2:3; BC1 = Groundnut shell + sawdut at ratio 3:2; BC2 = 
Groundnut shell + sawdust at ratio 2:3; AC1 = sugarcane bagasse +sawdust at ratio 3:2; AC2 = sugarcane 
bagasse +sawdust at ratio 2:3; ABC = sugarcane bagasse+ Groundnut shell+ Sawdust at ratio 1:1:1; A'BC 
= sugarcane bagasse+ Groundnut shell+ Sawdust at ratio 3:1:1; AB'C = sugarcane bagasse+ Groundnut 
shell+ Sawdust at ratio 1:3:1; ABC' =Sugarcane bagasse+ Groundnut shell+ Sawdust at ratio 1:1:3