Anaerobic treatability of wastewater from potassium hydroxide-methanol transesterification of Jatropha curcas L. oil.

Date

4-2009

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Jovita L. Movillon

Committee Member

Rex B. Demafelis, Butch G. Battaler, Amelia E. Parao

Abstract

The wastewater produced from potassium hydroxide- methanol transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil was characterized in terms of some physic-chemical properties. The wastewater has a soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 11,717 ± 444 mg/L, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 9,676 ± 484 mg/L, alkalinity of 4916.67 mg/L CaCO3, and pH of 8.0. The wastewater had BOD to COD ratio of 0.83 making it amenable for anaerobic treatment. In this study, the anaerobic treatability of the pH-unadjusted wastewater was examined by microbial adaptation and substrate utilization of the inoculum. The co-digested cow dung and ruminal fluid which served as the inoculum has a soluble chemical oxygen demand of 5130 mg/L and a nearly neutral pH of 7.2. Performance monitoring for pH, temperature, alkalinity, gas production and characterization, and COD reduction was conducted during the start-up period of the experiment at retention time of 26 d for organic loading rates of 100 mg/L-day increased to 200 mg/L- day. The reactors were subjected to daily feeding with OLR of 200, 400, and 600 mg/L-day on the second phase with a hydraulic retention time of 20 days. Throughout the duration of the experiment, the pH was maintained within the optimal range of 6.6 to 7.3. The temperature monitored corresponds to the ambient temperature. Gas productions were evident for the three reactors. Greater gas volumes were observed when less concentrated wastewater was fed into the reactor. There was a reduction in COD in all reactors associated with presence of methane in all gas analysis. The results suggested that the wastewater had a potential for anaerobic digestion and biogas production. Volatile acid concentration and inhibitory substances, however, must be determined for further understanding of the anaerobic digestion.

Language

English

LC Subject

Wastewater, Sewage--Purification--Anaerobic treatment, Factory and trade waste--Purification, Jatropha.

Location

UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology

Call Number

LG 993 2009 E62 B38

Document Type

Thesis

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