An experimental approach to produce hydrogen and methane from food waste using catalyst

Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, cow dung, and sludge solution is experimented in the presence of calcium peroxide (CaO2) as the catalyst to produce hydrogen and methane as a source of renewable energy. The substrate to inoculum ratios (v/v) of 1:1(S1), 1:2(S2), 1:3(S3), 1:4(S4) and 1:5(S5) are investigated in separate fermentative and methanogenic reactors. The result from the fermentative reactors indicate maximum hydrogen concentration of 26.34% with cumulative yield of 114.1 mL/g total solid (TS) in S3 compared to the other samples. Methanogenic reaction shows the highest methane concentration of 54.13% in S3. The highest daily (average) and cumulative biogas yield of 5.36 mL/g TS and 201.9 mL/g TS respectively are identified in S3. A maximum carbon dioxide concentration of 63.11% is found in S1. Overall, the substrate to inoculum ratio of 1:3 is spotted to be optimal for effective hydrogen and methane production during the anaerobic co-digestion process.