Solid concentration influence on biogas yield from food waste in an anaerobic batch digester

Food waste contains a substantially large amount of organic matter, which can be digested anaerobically to produce biogas. In this present study, biogas yield of food waste was evaluated in a laboratory scale anaerobic batch reactor. The effect of solid concentrations (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15%) on the yield of biogas was investigated at mesophilic temperature condition for a hydraulic retention time of 30 days. The volumetric yield of biogas was noted at regular intervals (24hrs) using water displacement method. The food wastes used in this experiment were subjected to characterization studies before and after digestion. The experimental results show that substrate 7.5% of total solid concentration produce higher biogas yield compared to other solid concentrations.