Biogas Generation from Leafy Biomass & Vegetable
Wastes by Application of Ultrasound
J. Mallick, K. L. Narayana, S. Khuntia, D. Singh and R. Barik
Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology (CSIR)
Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Email: jmallick_immt@yahoo.co.in
Abstract: Generation of biogas using biomethanation
process from various bio-wastes is well known. This is a slow
process but can be accelerated by applying ultrasound. In
this respect extensive experimental studies in laboratory
scale and pilot scale reactors were conducted, using
cowdung and leafy biomass/ vegetable wastes with different
dilution from 1:1 to 1:10. Ultrasound frequency was 43 kHz
from a constant frequency ultrasound generator. It was
observed that with the application of ultrasound for a few
minutes everyday, the gas generation rate was nearly
doubled compared to that in the conventional process. The
start-up time for gas generation also reduced substantially.
1. Introduction
Biomethanation is an important biological conversion
process which converts biomass in the absence of oxygen
to methane and carbon dioxide, popularly known as
biogas and leaves a stabilized residue which makes an
excellent organic manure. Biomethanation process is
gaining wider acceptance in the present scenario due to
production of biogas, which can be further used for
meeting a part of energy demand. Energy has a major
economical and political role as an important resource
traded worldwide. Biomethanation technology may be
perceived as potential alternative as it not only provides
renewable source of energy but also utilizes recycling
potential of degradable organic portion of waste material.
While the performance advantages of biomethanation
process has some limitation. For instance, the time needed
for start-up of a biomethanation process is too long. If no
specifically suitable biomass is available in sufficient
quantities, start-up of the system may require up to
several months. This effect may become even more
pronounced because most specific anaerobic
microorganisms are capable of degrading a limited range
of substrates.
The activity of methanogenic bacteria depends on
several factors, i.e. temperature, pH, concentration of
substrates/nutrients, etc. It has been found that some
additives may also affect the microbial activity of such
types of micro-organism.
The addition of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
calcium, magnesium and a few trace elements, like iron,
manganese, molybodynum, zink, copper, cobalt and
nickel accelerated the process of methanogenesis while
cyanide and heavy metals at elevated concentration have
some toxic effect on biomethanation [1].
Trace metals play an important role in the growth of
methanogens and methane formation [2]. For
conventional method, the shortage of Fe will be created
when methanogenes grew up to about 1.32 gl-1, and Zn,
Cu, Ni and Co contents will be lacked when
methanogenes grow up to 1.13, 0.12, 4.8 and 30 gl-1,
respectively. In conclusion, to achieve a high productivity
of methane fermentation, Fe, Cu, Ni and Zn contents in
the fermentation liquid should be greatly increased.
The effect of various chemicals on biomethanation
have been investigated by several scientists. The effect of
ammonium molybdate on biomethanation was studied [3].
A study on the effect of cupric nitrate on biogas
production from cow dung has been done [1].
The above findings promted us to search out some
other additives with a view to enhancing the production of
biogas from leafy biomass and vegetable wastes.
Ultrasonic disintegration is a well-known method for
the break-up of microbial cells to extract intracellular
material [4]. The pretreatment of waste activated sludge
by ultrasonic disintegration was studied in order to
improve the anaerobic sludge stabilization [5]. The
ultrasound frequency was varied within a range from 41
to 3217 kHz. Sludge disintegration was most significant
at low frequencies. Ultrasonically assisted disintegration
increased clearly the amount of soluble chemical oxygen
demand of sewage sludge [6].
Considering the above, a study on the effect of
ultrasound on biomethanation of cow dung and leafy
biomass/ vegetable wastes has been done.
2. Lab Scale Experiments
For lab-scale experimental purpose 500 ml gas wash
bottle has been used as an anaerobic digester. Gas wash
bottles were filled with PVC Pall Ring to create fixed film
inside the reactor. Initially three types of dilution of cow
dung and water was taken for experimental purpose.
Dilution 1:1 contained one part water with one part cow
dung by volume. Dilution 1:5 contained one part cow
dung with five parts water and dilution 1:10 contained 10
parts water with one part cowdung accordingly. Dilution
less than 1:1 could not use due to slower or no generation
of biogas.
After charging the different dilution cow dung inside
the gas wash bottle digester were anaerobically sealed.
For ultrasound application, one fixed frequency of 43 kHz the upward displacement of water, the collector initially
water bath type ultrasound generator with 1.5 watt being totally filled with water. Total amount of biogas
intensity has been used. produced by each digester everyday was recorded. Fig-1
Gas wash bottles with cow dung was kept inside the shows the cumulative biogas generation from cowdung
water bath of ultrasound generator. Another gas wash with 1:10 dilution. It clearly shows that by application of
bottle was kept without ultrasound for comparing ultrasound biogas generation has been doubled and the
purpose. Everyday 15 minutes application of ultrasound start-up time is also reduced to almost half.
was given to the digester. Simultaneously 1:5 and 1:1 dilutions gives the similar
To collect the biogas produced from the digester, results. But the amount of gas generation is more in case
another gas wash bottle with volume marked was used. of 1:1 dilution. Fig-2 shows the biogas generation from
The biogas thus produced, was allowed to pass into the 1:1 dilution cowdung by application of ultrasound.
volume marked wash bottle where it was accumulated by

E f f e c t o f U ltra s o u n d o n B io m e th a n a tio n o f C o w d u n g
w ith 1 :1 0 W e ig h t R a tio

1000
Cumulative Biogas Generation (ml)

900
C o n tro l
800
U ltra s o n ic
700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 56 61 66 71 76 81 86 91
D a ys

Fig. 1 Cumulative biogas generation from 1:10 cowdung with and without application of ultrasound

Effect of Ultrasound on Biom ethanation of Cow dung w ith 1:1

Weight Ratio
Cumulative Biogas

6000
Generation (ml)

Control
4000 Ultrasonic

2000

0
1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91 101
Days

Fig. 2 Cumulative biogas generation from 1:1 dilution cowdung with and without application of Ultrasound
 Effect of Ultrasound on Biomethanation of Vegetable Waste
With 1:1 Weight Ratio

400
Cumulative Biogas 350 Control
Generation (ml) 300 Ultrasonic
250
200
150
100
50
0
1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43
Days

Fig. 3 Cumulative biogas generation from 1:1 dilution vegetable wastes by application of ultrasound

Accordingly minced vegetable waste with size upto

10-15 mm has been taken for the experimental purpose.
Based on the experimental result of cow dung, 1:1
dilution has been taken for biogas generation from
vegetable wastes. Fig-3 shows the biogas generation from
vegetable waste by application of ultrasound. Methane
content has been estimated by using Orsat Apparatus. 62
to 72 percent methane has been formed by application of
ultrasound from vegetable wastes.
3. Design of Reactor
Different L/D ratio of biogas digester has been studied.
Reference L/D ratio for cow dung, banana stem, water
hyacinth and eucalyptus leaves has been taken from the
book Biogas Manure Plant Based on Agricultural
Residues, G. P. Nagori, C. S. Rao, Sarder Patel
Renewable Energy Research Institute. Different types of
biogas reactors like UASB, KVIC, Plug flow etc. has
been studied. Construction manual, published by VITA,
1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia
22209 USA has been considered for designing the biogas
plant. Fig-4 shows the biogas reactors designed and
fabricated for biogas generation from vegetable wastes.
Fig. 4 Fabricated biogas reactors for vegetable wastes
4. Testing of Existing 2 T/hr Capacity
Mincing Machine
The existing mincing machine has been tested to mince
waste & spoiled potato, brinjale, cabbage, bean,
cauliflower & its leaves etc. It has been found that the
waste vegetables & leaves are minced bellow 10 mm
rapidly. Size reduction of existing mincing machine is
necessary in order to operate by a 2hp single phase
electric motor. The existing patented design of mincing
machine is quite suitable for mincing of various
vegetables & leaves.
5. Charging & Testing of Reactors
Initially a mixture of 20 kg of vegetable wastes (after
mincing), 10 kg of cow dung and 150 lit. water was
charged into the each reactors. Methane rich biogas was
generated after 40 days of initial charging of materials.
Gas was burnt and 10 kg of minced waste vegetables
were charged every alternate day. About 2400 cm3 of
biogas at 0.06 kg/cm2 was generated every day out of 5kg
of minced waste vegetables.
The quantity of methane in biogas measured by using
Orsat apparatus. About 59 to 70 percent methane has been
produced from the minced vegetable wastes. It was noted
that all minced waste materials were completely degraded
into slurry.
Therefore it was found that minced waste vegetables
can be degraded easily inside the reactors by bacteria,
even without sonication. However methane rich biogas
can be generated when temperature of reactors is kept at
more than 300C.
The color of flame during burning of biogas was green
and visible in dark only. The gas was sufficient to burn
the stove for 7-10 minutes to boil water. A picture of
burning of flame is given bellow (Fig-5).

Two biogas burner has been purchased from Orissa

Renewable Energy Development Agency (ORIDA),
Bhubaneswar.

Fig. 5 Burning of biogas generated out of minced waste
vegetables
However sonication has not been done yet. Sonication
will be done by using a ultrasonic cleaner, water bath
type. Everyday 2 kg of minced vegetable wastes will be
sonicated for 10 minutes before charging into the reactor.
After comparing the result with and without application
of ultrasound the final design of ultrasonically aided
biogas reactor for leafy biomass and vegetable wastes will
be develop.
6. Conclusions
Based on our results the following conclusions can be
drawn. The leafy biomass and vegetable wastes is
promising substrate for biogas generation. If sufficient
care are taken to ultrasound application on
biomethanation the start-up time can be reduced and the
biogas generation can be increase upto two times.
References
[1] Sudha Singh and S. K. Singh, “Effect of cupric nitrate on
acceleration of biogas production.” Energy Convers. Mgmt.
Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 417-419, 1996.
[2] Yansheng Zhang, Zhenya Zhang, Keitarou Suzuki and
Takaaki Maekawa, “Uptake and mass balance of trace
metals for methane producing bacteria.” Biomass and
Bioenergy, Volume 25, Issue 4, October 2003, Pages 427-
433.
[3] Sudha Singh and S. K. Singh, “Effect of ammonium
molybdate on biomethanation.” Renewable Energy, Vol. 6,
No. 4, pp. 441-443, 1995.
[4] Harrison S. T. L. (1991), “Bacterial cell disruption: a key
unit operation in the recovery of intracellular products.”
Biotechnol. Adv. 9, 217-240.
[5] A. Tiehm, K. Nickel, M. Zellhorn and U. Neis, “Ultrasonic
waste activated sludge disintegration for improving
anaerobic stabilization.” Wat. Res., Vol. 35, No. 8, pp. 2003-
2009, 2001.
[6] Antti Gronroos, Hanna Kyllonen, Kirsi Korpijarvi, Pentti
Pirkonen, Teija Paavola, Jari Jokela, Jukka Rintala,
“Ultrasound assisted method to increase soluble chemical
oxygen demand (SCOD) of sewage sludge for digestion.”
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