Abstract:
This study was conducted to observe the production of Biogas through waste vegetables and fruits; where the physical attributes, i.e. pH and temperature were not controlled; however the varying pH and temperature were observed and recorded on a daily basis. Different markets in Islamabad were visited to collect the waste for the purpose of feeding of the Biogas plant. This waste was segregated to include only vegetable waste. The sample for laboratory analysis was performed by initially collecting four different types of vegetables, which were to be added in the plant. The small scale Bio-gas plant used for this study, it caters for retaining the heat energy produced during digestion process besides minimizing the fact of drop in the ambient temperature on the digestion process. The vegetables/fruits were collected and equal amount of sample (four types of vegetables/fruits were collected) was homogenously mixed. The sample for feeding in the Bio-gas plant was consisted of 25 kg of each type of fruit/vegetable and after mixing sample for laboratory analysis was collected. The analyses were performed in the laboratory, where the lyophylization process was used to find moisture and ash content. The analyzed samples, after lypholization analysis, were further analyzed on the PIXE (Proton Induced X-Ray Emission) to determine the C: N ratio, Na, Ca, K, Mg and P content. PIXE is used for elemental analysis of inorganic elements. The total amount of gas produced was 2305 liters during 70 days of monitoring from 120 Kg of batch feed. The exhaust slurry was fed to kitchen garden with in the premises of house. No odor or unpleasant smell was found in the exhaust slurry. Wasted vegetables and fruits can be utilized to produce Biogas in all big fruits and vegetable markets and the end product is good as fertilizer.
