Effect of calcium peroxide and sodium hydroxide on hydrogen and methane generation during the co-digestion of food waste and cow dung

Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, cow dung, and sludge solution was experimentally evaluated to produce hydrogen and methane considering the effect of calcium peroxide (CaO2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) addition with the feedstock. The various substrate to inoculum ratios (v/v) of 1:1(S1), 1:2(S2), 1:3(S3), 1:4( S4), and 1:5(S5) were evaluated in separate fermentative and methanogenic reactors. The optimum hydrogen and methane production was observed in S3 compared to the other samples. The biogas generation was increased up to 17% with an enhancement of methane concentration up to 10% by using NaOH compared to CaO2. The cumulative methane yield was increased by 12% due to the addition of NaOH as compared to CaO2. The maximum hydrogen concentration was improved by 7% with a substantial enhancement of cumulative hydrogen yield up to 37% by adding CaO2 with the feedstock as compared to NaOH. It was evident from the experiment that the production of hydrogen was significantly enhanced by adding CaO2 while the methane generation was influenced by the addition of NaOH during the co-digestion. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, cow dung, and sludge solution was experimentally evaluated for hydrogen and methane production with the addition of calcium peroxide (CaO2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The study found that using NaOH increased biogas generation by 17% and methane concentration by 10%, while the addition of CaO2 improved hydrogen concentration by 7% and cumulative hydrogen yield by 37%. The production of hydrogen was significantly enhanced by CaO2, while methane generation was influenced by NaOH.