Optimization of inoculum to substrate ratio for enhanced methane yield from leather fleshings in a batch study

One of the most significant issues of the last few decades has been tracing for renewable energy sources. Animal fleshing (ANFL) is the most common proteinaceous solid waste accured during the production of leather and it must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. This paper is attempts to assess the biogas production from solid waste originating from the chrome based tannery. Anaerobic digestion of these wastes will be a viable option for waste stabilization and energy production in the form of biogas to be utilized in the industry. The bio-methane potential of the wastes were examined by mixing these wastes with various sources of inoculum and different inoculum to substrate (I/S) ratio considered. The batch experiments were carried out in 2.5 l glass reactors with a various source of inoculumviz., Cow Dung (CD), Elephant Dung (ED) and Bio-Digested Slurry (BDS) with varied inoculum to substrate (LFs) ratios for a retention time of 50 days with replications. The results obtained from the experiments showed that BDS:LF (25:75) had the highest gas production of 14505 ml (651.85 ml CH4g-1 VS) followed by CD:LF (50:50) produced 12072.5 ml (789.36 ml CH4g-1 VS) and ED:LF (75:25) produced 11252.5 ml (1492.08 ml CH4g-1 VS)with a methane content of 63.77, 61.92 and 62.72%, respectively.

Automated summary

This paper attempts to assess the biogas production from solid waste originating from the chrome based tannery. The results show that anaerobic digestion of these wastes can produce renewable energy, with the highest gas production obtained from the BDS:LF (25:75) ratio.