Effects of a Novel Pretreatment on Lignocelluloses and Biogas Production

Abstract

This work appraised the effect of a novel pretreatment substance from waste (PSW) on lignocellulosic complex structure, composition and eventual influence on digester performance. This was achieved by analysing milled maize cob before and after subjecting them to pretreatment with three different concentrations of PSW. Some chemical properties of biomass were determined using standard methods and biogas production was measured using positive displacement method. Findings suggest that application of 3.5 g PSW exhibited highest polymer degradation and this have translated into highest biogas (447.5 ml) output than the 2.5 g PSW at 95% confidence level. Pretreatment has been followed by delayed lag phase indicating a struggle by the digestive organisms to acclimatise the changes in the digester with P2 digester organisms exhibiting encystment and thus no gas was produced. It was also found that lowering the contents of the pretreated biomass in the digester significantly improved digester performances. It was concluded that pretreatment of maize cob with 3.5 g PSW for application as co-substrates alongside cow dung and food waste is appropriate.