Research Interests:
The modern global society faces great challenges in supply of energy and management of wastes in sustainable ways. One way of resolving the local challenges is to develop environmentally appropriate and socio-economically viable... more
The modern global society faces great challenges in supply of energy and management of wastes in sustainable ways. One way of resolving the local challenges is to develop environmentally appropriate and socio-economically viable biotechnological processes for converting biomass to energy. The general principles of anaerobic bio-digestion, digester design and features of bio-digestion are presented in the feature article, focusing on the prospects of utilizing cassava peels as a readily available lignocellulosic feedstock for co-digestion with manure for the production of biogas and bio-fertilizer. Aside of the high cyanogenic properties, cassava peels would require pre-treatment before use as a substrate, hence, a multi-stage and high rate digestion system might be adopted in efficient digestion of cassava peels. To optimize carbon-nitrogen ratio for efficient digestion, cassava should be co-digested with manure. The socioeconomic benefits of the anaerobic co-digestion technology an...
Research Interests:
Slaughterhouse activities generate large volumes of biodegradable organic wastes such as animal faeces, blood, fat, animal trimmings, paunch contents and urine. These wastes are mainly responsible for air, soil, and water pollution if... more
Slaughterhouse activities generate large volumes of biodegradable organic wastes such as animal faeces, blood, fat, animal trimmings, paunch contents and urine. These wastes are mainly responsible for air, soil, and water pollution if untreated or poorly managed. In many developing countries, the common method adopted by most slaughterhouses in the disposal of these streams of wastes is landfilling which poses environmental challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, bad odour and leachate management. Treatment using anaerobic digestion has been considered an appropriate method for treating slaughterhouse waste with high organic loads. These wastes are considered energy-rich and characterised by high concentration of carbohydrates, mainly in the form of lactose, as well as protein and lipids. However, high concentrations of ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and long chain fatty acids remain major inhibitors of methanogenic activities and are often responsible for digester upsets. On a broader note, suitable co-substrates depending on type and composition of feedstock, with appropriate percentage total solids and volatile solids, as well as carbon to nitrogen ratio, are very critical for effective degradation. This paper reviews the utilisation of slaughterhouse wastes as a potential feedstock for the production of methane-rich biogas. The interactive effects of key operational and environmental parameters for efficient process performance and stability are also presented to overcome the drawbacks of mono-digestion of slaughterhouse waste.
