Chittenden A. E.

Anaerobic digesters for small-scale vegetable processing plants / by A. E. Chittenden, S. W. Head and G. Breag - v, 22 pages ; Illustrations ; 30 cm

Includes tables

Includes bibliographical references

The work described in this report relates solely to the digestion of vegetable materials for biogas production for small industrial purposes. It was undertaken with the aim of obtaining practical experience in both biogas digester design and operation with the possible application of the process to waste products from cassava peelings.

The digester used in these studies was designed for continuous operation and was approximately 3 m³ in volume. It proved impracticable to operate the digester below 30°C whilst still obtaining worthwhile gas production. The operating temperature was therefore kept above that commonly found in tropical countries.

As it was not possible to obtain cassava residues in sufficient quantities to operate this plant, potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) were utilised as a substitute. To compare these results to operation on cassava, experiments were also carried out in a 5 litre fermentation vessel operating at 35°C on potatoes, peeled cassava tubers and cassava peelings.

The report gives details of the rate of gas production and performance of the plant (3 m³) under various operating conditions. Energy requirements for the process are also considered.

0859541169 (paperback)


Anaerobic digestion
Food industry and trade--Waste disposal
Sewage--Purification--Biological treatment

TP443 / C458