Bioenergy Production through Mono and Co-Digestion of Tomato Residues

The agro-industry of tomato generates three types residues: ripe rotten (unfit for consumption) (RT), green (unripe) (GT), and branches including leaves stems (TB). These materials are commonly wasted or used as feed livestock. Energy production through anaerobic digestion is an alternative way to manage simultaneously valorise these materials. Initially, the operating conditions mono were investigated using RT. Thus, a design experiments based on two-level fractional factorial with resolution V was performed determine factors that affect biochemical methane potential (BMP). substrate inoculum ratio (SIR), total volatile solids concentration (VSt), working volume (WV), presence nutrients (Nu), pre-incubation (Inc) investigated. results showed SIR most important factor. maximum BMP RT 297 NmLCH4/gVS = 0.5; tVS 20 g/L; WV 20%; no nutrients. Using optimum conditions, co-digestion mixture approach. substrates GT presented similar values, whereas TB led significantly lower BMP. Indeed, when high concentrations used, significant decrease in observed. Nonetheless, highest achieved 63% + 20% 17% TB, 324 NmLCH4/gVS, corresponding synergetic performance index about 1.20. In general, although BMP, did not impair yield. Overall, residues must be conducted close 0.5 content reaction should kept low (up 20%).