Digestion Of Cassava Starch Effluent Blended With Cassava Peels For Biogas Production

ABSTRACT

 Comparative study of biogas production from four different blends of Cassava Starch Effluent and Cassava Peels obtained from Cassava Starch Mills, Uli, Anambra State was carried out. The blends consisted of Cl (100% Cassava Starch Effluent and 0% Cassava Peels), C2 (70% Cassava Starch Effluent and 30% Cassava Peels), C3 (50% Cassava Starch Effluent and 50% Cassava Peels) and lastly C4 (30% Cassava Starch Effluent and 70% Cassava Peels) which were subjected to anaerobic digestion for 30 days. The blends were mixed with equal amount of water by weight to give adequate percentage of total solid content (5 - 10%). Daily temperature and pH readings were taken for the entire retention period. The results showed that blend Cl with 100% Cassava Starch Effluent and 0% Cassava Peels had the highest volume of biogas produced standing at 17,222m1. This was followed by C3 with 50% Cassava Starch Effluent and 50% Cassava Peels, which produced a total of 2335m1. C4 (30% Cassava Starch Effluent and 70% Cassava Peels) had the least volume of biogas produced standing at 232.5m1. The results were subjected to statistical tests using ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range tests which showed that there were significant (NO.05) differences in the volume of biogas produced by the different blends as well as the different pH values recorded. However, the differences in the temperatures recorded appeared not to be significant (P>0.05). The study concluded that Cassava Starch Effluent was a good source of biogas and should be better digested without Cassava Peels.