Biomethane Potential Test To Access The Feasibility of Vegetable And Fruit Waste For Methane Yield Using Different Inoculums To Substrate Ratios

To address the world's energy issue and global climate change, a green, efficient and carbon-neutral renewable energy sourcesare in great demand to replace fossil fuels. The study was undertaken to determine optimal inoculum to substrate ratio for increase in biogas generation via co-digestion of fruit and vegetable waste under mesophilic environmental conditions (25–34 o C). Biomethane potential of the fruit and vegetable waste was accessed in terms of biogas yield. Digestate from gobar gas plant was taken as inoculum. Biomethane potential (BMP) assay was performed in a 500ml glass bottle with suitable inlet and outlet arrangement for taking feed and collection of biogas. Inoculum to substrateratio chosen for the study was 0.2, 0.3,0.5,0.7 and 0.8. Highest daily biogas yield was obtained for inoculum to substrate ratio of 30: 70 i.e. reactor R2 which is equivalent to 440 ml on day 14 with methane yield of 58%. Cumulative biogas yields for different inoculum to substrate ratio were in the range of 6–11.378 L/day.