Bioresource Technology, Vol.47, No.1, 55-57, 1994
STUDIES ON FACTORS INFLUENCE METHANE PRODUCTION FROM TOMATO-PROCESSING WASTE
The influence of hydraulic retention time (HRT), loading rate and temperature on the productivity (v v(-1) day(-1)) and yields (m(3) kg VS-1) of total gas and methane during anaerobic digestion of tomato-processing waste (TPW) was studied. High yields of total gas (0.7 m(3)) and methane (0.42 m(3) kg(-1)) were obtained at 24 days HRT and 4.5 kg m(-3) loading rate and 35 degrees C. Loading rates of 6.0 to 7.5 kg TS m(-3) and temperature of 25 and 30 degrees C were found to be critical for methanogenesis at 16 days HRT. Stable digestion was achieved up to 40 degrees C, but 45 degrees C was found to be unfavourable for methanogenesis.