Production of Biogas from Press Mud, Cow Dung and Water Hyacinth

Abstract

This project focuses on the production of biogas from press mud, cow dung, and water hyacinth using an anaerobic batch reactor. Biogas production through anaerobic digestion is an effective method of converting organic waste into a renewable and eco-friendly energy source. Press mud, a by-product of the sugar industry, along with cow dung and water hyacinth, was selected as the substrate due to its high organic content and easy availability. Initially, an acclimatization process was carried out to allow microorganisms to adapt to the substrate mixture for efficient biogas production. Different ratios of press mud to water hyacinth (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1.5:2.5) and cow dung to water hyacinth (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1.5:2.5) were prepared and tested for a period of 42 days under anaerobic conditions. Based on the results, the optimum ratios were identified as press mud to water hyacinth (1.5:2.5) and cow dung to water hyacinth (1:3), which produced higher biogas yield and better microbial activity.

Introduction

The global energy crisis has increased interest in renewable sources, with biogas emerging as a key option produced from plant-based organic materials via anaerobic digestion. This process converts organic waste—such as municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, animal manure, press mud, and water hyacinth—into methane-rich biogas through three stages: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis. Parameters like pH, total solids, COD, and BOD are monitored to assess system performance.

Research shows that cow dung acts as an effective inoculum due to its rich microbial population, while press mud and water hyacinth provide high organic content, enhancing methane yield. Co-digestion of these substrates improves nutrient balance, digestion efficiency, and overall biogas production.

The methodology involves cleaning and mixing press mud, cow dung, and water hyacinth with water to form a slurry, which is fed into an anaerobic digestion tank. Biogas is produced as the main energy product, and nutrient-rich sludge can be used as fertilizer, making the process both an energy source and a sustainable waste management solution.

Conclusion

The study examined the effect of different ratios of cow dung, press mud, and water hyacinth on acclimatization and biogas production using an anaerobic digestion system. The results showed that the inoculum to substrate ratio of cow dung and water hyacinth (1:3) produced better biogas yield. Similarly, the press mud to water hyacinth ratio of 1.5:2.5 was found to be the most effective for biogas production. The biogas generation from press mud and water hyacinth (1.5:2.5) was about 38.5 ml/day. In comparison, cow dung and water hyacinth (1:3) produced a higher biogas yield of about 97.3 ml/day.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Vaidehi V, Vinothini K, Shanthi V, Veerasamy G. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.