Theoretical and Experimental Results on the Recovery of Potato Processing Residuals by Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion of organic matter with high moisture content has proven to be a suitable method for disposal of wet organic residuals with several advantages compared to other treatment technologies. This paper aimed at evaluating the theoretical and experimental biomethane potential of food processing residuals that are responsible for negative environmental impact, with exemplification for the potato processing waste. The biomethane potential is a useful parameter to assess the economic efficiency of anaerobic digestion processes as it can considerably influence the efficiency and the economic feasibility of the energy recovery technologies. Both experimental and theoretical biomethane potentials of potato waste in mesophilic anaerobic digestion as well as biodegradability of the substrate were estimated. Moreover, effects of microalgal extract addition on the digestion of potato waste were examined in an attempt to stimulate the anaerobic digestion. Cone model and a modified Gompertz model were used to predict the dynamics of biomethane production.