Utilization of Onion Solid Waste as Feedstock for Biogas Production

Authors

  • Aileen R. Ligisan
  • Andres M. Tuates Jr. Bioprocess Engineering Division Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization CLSU Compound, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija

Keywords:

onion waste, biogas, pretreatment conditions, biogas yield

Abstract

Utilization of onion solid wastes such as onion leaves and unmarketable onion bulbs as potential feedstock for biogas production was investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the interactive effects of temperature, lime concentration and reaction time for the maximum biogas and methane yield, and biodegradation.

Results showed that the optimum pretreatment conditions established for red creole bulb are:  lime concentration of 4%, temperature of 118oC and reaction time of 5 hours; yellow granex bulb – lime concentration of 6.5%, temperature of 102oC and reaction time of 2 hours; red creole leaves – lime concentration of 12%, temperature of 118oC and reaction time of 6 hours; and yellow granex leaves – lime concentration of 12%, temperature of 118oC and reaction time of 5 hours. Red creole bulb produces the highest biogas yield (373.4 ml/g VS and 60.3% CH4), followed by yellow granex leaves (366.6 ml/g VS and 58.5% CH4), red creole leaves (331ml/g VS and 59.6% CH4) and yellow granex bulb (350ml/g VS and 60.7% CH4). The regression equation established for biogas yield was found to be adequate for the prediction of independent variables applied. Moreover, the highest and lowest biodegradability of 59.1% and 39% were obtained for Red creole bulb and leaves, respectively. Onion bulb wastes containing easily-degradable substrates had relatively higher methane production potential and biodegradability than onion leaves which have more fiber content. 

Author Biography

Andres M. Tuates Jr., Bioprocess Engineering Division Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization CLSU Compound, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija

Section chief

Bioprocess engineering division

References

• American Society of Agricultural Engineers. (1982). Standard: ASAE S352.1. Moisture measurement-Grains and seeds.

• Angelidaki I. et. al. (2009). Defining the biomethane potential (BMP) of solid organic wastes and energy crops: a proposed protocol for batch assays. Water Sci. Technol. 59(5): 927-934.

• APHA (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 20th ed. American Public Health Association, American water works association water pollution control federation, Washinfton, DC.

• Brown K.A., David M.H. (1994). Using landfill gas: a UK perspective. Renew. Energ., 5: 774–781.

• Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. (2015). BAS Online Statistics Database. (http://bas.gov.ph).

• Calica G.B., Bareng R.P., Maranan C.L., Rapusas R.S. (1999). Benchmark study on the postharvest technology on onion and garlic. Terminal Report.

• Calvert J.G. (1990). Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms. Pure and Applied Chemistry. Vol.62, 2217.

• Chen S., Frear C., Zhao B.C., Fu G. (2003). Bioenergy inventory and assessment for Easter Washington. Biosystems Engineering, WSU

• Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (DA-BPRE), University of the Philippines – Postharvest and Seed Sciences Division (UPLB – PSSD). (2009). Qualitative and quantitative loss assessment of selected high value food crops. A case study: Loss assessment for onion. Terminal Report.

• Elbeshbishy E. et.al. (2012). Biochemical methane potential (BMP) of food waste and primary sludge: influence of inoculum pre-incubation ad inoculum source. Bioresource Technology. 101, 4021-4028.

• Hart J.R., Feinstein L. Golumbic C. (1959). Oven methods for precise measurement of moisture content of seeds. Marketing Research Report No. 304 (USDA-AMS), US Government Printing Otlice, Washington, D.C.

• Hansen T.L. et. al. (2004). Method for determination of methane potentials of solid organic waste. Waste Management. 24, 393-400.

• Kapdi S.S., Vijay V.K., Rajesh S.K., Prasad R. (2005). Renewable Energy (30), 1195–1202.

• Karr W.E., Holtzapple T. (2000). Using lime pretreatment to facilitate the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover. Biomass Bioenergy 18, 189–199.

• Lee D.H. et. al. (2009). Methane production potential of leachate generated from Korean food waste recycling facilities: a lab scale study. Waste Manage. 29, 876–882.

• Li Y., Zhang R., Liu G., Chen C., He Y., Liu X. (2013). Comparison of methane production potential, biodegradability, and kinetics of different organic substrates. Bioresource Tech.

• Mata-Alvarez J., Mace S. and Liabres P. (2000). Anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes. An overview of research achievements and perspectives. Bioresource Technol., 74: 3–16.

• Salem Z., Hamouri K., Djemaa R., Allia K. (2008). Evaluation of landfill leachate pollution and treatment. Desalination, 220: 108–114.

• Welbaum G.E. (2015). Vegetable Production and Practices. Wallingforth, Oxfordshire, UK: CAB International. Books.google.com.ph. CAB International.

Downloads

Published

2016-10-18

How to Cite

Ligisan, A. R., & Tuates Jr., A. M. (2016). Utilization of Onion Solid Waste as Feedstock for Biogas Production. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(5). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJAS/article/view/4117