Quantitative estimation of biogas produced from the leaves and stem mixtures of water hyacinth (<i>Eichhornia crassipes</i>)

Abstract

The concept of using aquatic plants for the production of energy (methane) is gaining attention in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, where warm climate is connected to the plant growth throughout the year. This research work investigated the overall quantity of biogas produced by the leaves, stem and the mixture of the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) using locally constructed digesters for a period of eight weeks. The percentage gas production fell within the range of 50-55%, with a high yield record in order for the leaves > mixture > stems. The effect of mixed substrate, which was earlier reported to favor the rate of gas production, had in the present study no appreciable effect on biogas yield as did the leaves. Generally, biogas was successfully obtained from Eichhornia crassipes, in a comparable proportion with similar biomasses earlier reported. Mineral elemental analysis revealed that digested slurry could be used as eco-friendly manure after the production of the gas.

Keywords: Water hyacinth, biomass, biogas, methane, anaerobic digestion

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(3): 203-207, 2009