MAUBIN UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE BIOGAS PRODUCTION

OF WATER HYACINTH AND RICE STRAW

24. 9.15
 MAUBIN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Date of seminar : 24. 9. 2015
Main Title : Comparison Between the Biogas Production
of Water Hyacinth and Rice Straw
Candidates : 4-Chem- 1 to 10
Supervisor : Dr. Aung Kyaw Swar (Lecturer)
Department of Chemistry
Maubin University
Co-supervisor : U Nay Soe Moe (Demonstrator)
Department of Chemistry
Maubin University
 The present research deals the comparative between physicochemical parameters of
biomass such as water hyacinth (Bay Dar) and rice straw.
The preliminary investigations of physicochemical parameters of the samples were
carried out by the reported methods. Moisture percent and protein percent of water hyacinth is
more than the rice straw. The total ash percent and crude fat percent of rice straw is more than
the water hyacinth.
In this research, the construction of biofermenter is another approach for production
of biogas by household applicant and compares the gas production of two samples.
Anaerobic methane fermentation process is an alternative to conventional manure
and other organic waste management, alleviating health and environmental concerns, and
converting organic residues by microbial consortia in an oxygen-free condition. But there are
some remarkable problems with the process including larger fermenter size, requirement of
liquid source, and slurry handling problem
Biogas is a renewable energy further used to produce green electricity, heat or as
engine fuel. This project proved biogas production from biomasses, and which believe a
promising the knowledge of biomass management in a farm.

Keywords : Physicochemical parameters, water hyacinth, rice straw, construction of

3
biofermenter
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
 To compare the some physicochemical parameter of
Aim selected biomass and construct the bio-fermenter for
production of biogas

To collect the biomass sample

To determine the physicochemical parameter of collected
sample
To construct the bio-fermenter with household
materials for production of biogas
To convert livestock manure and crop residues
into methane
 Biogas
Biogas is a digester gas Compose of
arising from the activity of  Methane CH4 (50–75%),
methanogenic anaerobic
 carbon dioxide CO2 (25–45%),
 hydrogen sulfide H2S (0–1%),
bacteria which decompose  hydrogen H2 (0–1%),
organic matter.  carbon monoxide CO (0–2%),
 nitrogen N2 (0–2%),
 ammonia NH3 (0–1%),
Alternative fuel
 oxygen O2 (0–2%) and
Non finite
resources
 water – H2O (2–7%)

Used in
various fields of economy, mainly in technological processes and for power
engineering purposes, Production of thermal energy in gas boilers, fuel in motor-
car engines.
 (a)

(b)
Figure 1. Photograph of (a) water hyacinth and (b) rice straw

agriculture wastes such as (water hyacinth and rice straw) were used as source
materials for the present field test.
Agriculture wastes were collected from the field and channel near the Maubin
Township.
Cow dung was used as feedstock in this study. It was thick slurry and obtained from
a livestock farm in Maubin Township. 7
 Determination of Moisture Content
 Oven dry method (AOAC – 2000 (934.01))
w−d
Moisture content = x 100%
w

w = wet weight
d = weight after drying

Determination of Ash Content

 ashing method (AOAC – 2000 (942.05))
w−d
Moisture content = x 100%
w
w = wet weight
d = weight after ashing 8
Determination of fat Content
 Soxhlet method(AOAC – 2000 (942.05)
PE (40-60 C) was used as organic solvent

9
Determination of protein Content
 Kjeadahl digestion method AOAC – 2000 (920.152)

Determination of total nitrogen by Kjeldahl method

 Figure 3. Scooping manure
PVC Ball
PVC
pipe valve t- adapter
pipe

to rubber
balloon
cor
Figure 2. The materials and tools need to cap
k
build a biogas fermenter

18 L bottle
(contains
Figure 4. Assembly of the biogas collection system biomass and
11
cow dung)
Table 1. Comparison between the Physicochemical Water hyacinth and
Rice straw

No Test Test Method Water Rice straw

Parameter hyacinth
1. Moisture AOAC – 2000
9.68 % 3.28 %
(934.01)
2. Ash AOAC – 2000
0.88 % 0.92 %
(942.05)
3. Protein AOAC – 2000
1.24 % 0.21 %
(920.152)
5. Crude Fat Soxhlet Method 1.39 % 0.19 %

12
From the overall assessment of the present research work, the following inferences can be
deduced.
The preliminary investigations of physicochemical parameters of the samples were
carried out by the reported methods. Moisture percent and protein percent of water hyacinth is
more than the rice straw. The total ash percent and crude fat percent of rice straw is more than
the water hyacinth.
Anaerobic methane fermentation process is an alternative to conventional manure
and other organic waste management, alleviating health and environmental concerns, and
converting organic residues by microbial consortia in an oxygen-free condition. But there are
some remarkable problems with the process including larger fermenter size, requirement of
liquid source, and slurry handling problem
Biogas is a renewable energy further used to produce green electricity, heat or as
engine fuel. This project proved biogas production from biomasses, and which believe a
promising the knowledge of biomass management in a farm.

13
AOAC, (1998), “Harmoised Guidelines for the use of Recacery Information in Analytical
measurements” Eurachem Guide
AOAC, (1990), “Official methods of analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists”
15th edition. Washington, DC
Hook, M., (2009), “Depletion and Decline Curve Analysis in Crude Oil Production”, Global Energy
Systems, Department for Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, 3
Hook, M., Davidsson, S., Johansson, S. and Xu Tang, (2013), “Decline and Depletion Rate of Oil
Production : a comprehensive investigation”, Phil. Trans. R.Soc, 372, 1-22
Horwitz, W. (1970), “Official Methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists,”
Wahsington, 98.
Kosobucki, P., B. Buszewski, and L. Gorski, (2008). “The Influence of Temperature on the
Process of Dynamic Methane Fermentation of Sewage Sludge”. Polish J. of Environ. Stud,
17 (3), 369-357
14
Krzyszof, Z. and M. Frac, (2012). “Methane fermentation process as anaerobic digestion of
biomass: Transformations, stages and microorganisms”. African Journal of Biotechnology,
11 (18), 4127-4139
Joslyn,M.A, (1950), “Methods in Food Analysis Applied to Plant Products,” Academic Press Inc.,
New York, P 1152
Johnson, T., B. Johnson. and C. Scott-Kerr, (2010), “Bioethanol-status Report on Bioethanol
Production from Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Feedstocks”, Forest Industries NZ, Beca
AMEC, Tauranga, New Zealand, 1-11
Pearson, D. (1962), “The Chemical Analysis of Foods,” J. and A. Churchill Ltd., London, 347
“Renewables (2014), “Global Status Report”, REN 21, Renewable Energy Policy Network for 21st
Century, ISBN 978-3-9815934-2-6, 31-32
Triebold, H.O and L.W. Aurand, (1968). “Food Composition and Analysis,” Van Nostrand
Reinhold Co., Ltd., London, 59
15