Anaerobic Biodegradability and Biomethanation Potential of Fruit-Vegetable Wastes at Sindh, Pakistan

The urban environment of every city of Pakistan has been degraded because of open dumping and burning of organic wastes along with other wastes. The focus of this study was to evaluate the fruit and vegetable wastes for methane generation through biomethanation process. After collection, various parameters such as alkalinity, volatile fatty acids, pH, lignin content, moisture content, total solids, volatile solids, fixed carbon, and elements (C, H, N, O, S) of waste samples were determined by using standard methodology. Anaerobic biodegradability of fruit and vegetable wastes was observed from 54 to 77% and from 59 to 87% along with their methane generation potential in the range of 258-367 NmL /gmVS and 274-407 NmL/gmVS, respectively. Further, the effect of feedstock to inoculum ratio was studied. The result of that showed that lower methane potential at a higher ratio and vice versa was observed. It was concluded that at a lower feedstock to inoculum ratio, fruit as well as vegetable wastes become more feasible for the biomethanation process. The study recommends that the conversion of fruit and vegetable wastes into methane gas by anaerobic digestion plays a significant role to save urban environment of the country

Estimation of Energy Potential from Organic Fractions of Municipal Solid Waste by Using Empirical Models at Hyderabad, Pakistan.

MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) now-a-day is considered as a precious renewable energy resource for various purposes. In view of above fact, one hundred samples of MSW were collected from different locations of study area. Quantities of each organic waste component were determined by using physical balance and also their proximate analysis was performed by using oven and muffle furnace. In this study, nine empirical models were used for estimating the energy value in terms of heat from OFMSW (Organic Fractions of Municipal Solid Waste), namely two of them were based upon physical composition, four of them were on the basis of its proximate analysis and remaining three of them was according to ultimate analysis of OFMSW. From comparison of all energy models, the empirical Model No. 3 and No. 4 based upon proximate analysis have highest energy recovery potential than all of others. Moreover, the result of Model No.3 on the basis of proximate analysis is closer to the calorific value of mixed OFMSW than the values obtained by rest of models. Therefore, this is the best model to be used. From the outcomes of this study it can be realized that the energy recovery from the OFMSW plays a vital role for economical growth of the country. On that account, a systematic approach should be performed in detail before making a decision on such optio

Characterization and Aerobic Biological Treatment of MSW: A Case Study of Hyderabad City

This study was conducted to assess the MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) generated in Hyderabad city for its suitability to make compost product through AB (Aerobic Biological) treatment. Assessment of MSW regarding its generation rate, quantification and characterization decides its suitability for composting process. Three AB treatment reactors R1 (natural air circulation and manually mixed reactor), R2 (compressed air circulation and manually mixed reactor) and R3 (compressed air circulation and mechanically mixed reactor) were designed and fabricated. AB treatment of the segregated food and yard waste reveals that there is no any significant change occurs in the moisture content of the compost product in all the reactors but, significant loss of VS (Volatile Solids) and gain of ash content was observed for reactor R2. Thus, the reactor R2 is the most efficient reactor in comparison to other reactors. Moreover, the mechanical mixing in AB treatment does not significantly increase VS loss. Further the reactor R1 does not consumes electricity and thus can be employed as the solution for converting segregated food and yard waste from MSW into a compost produc