Utilization of De-oiled Jatropha Seed Cake for Renewable Gaseous Fuel Production and Digested Slurry for Growing Crops

摘要

Bio-methanation potential of de-oiled Jatropha seed cake was tested in a 1,200 1 existing pilot plant digester in semi-continuous mode. The plant performance was monitored for 12 months at 15% (w/v) total solid concentration. Biogas production in therange of 229-370 l.kg"1 total solids was achieved in 40-days hydraulic retention time. The biogas produced from de-oiled Jatropha seed cake had higher calorific value as compared to the gas generated from cattle dung, as it had more methane content. Thenutrient potential of the digested slurry and its toxicity on plants was studied by a series of pot culture experiments using maize (Zea mays L.) yields as the reference. The results indicated that the experimental digested slurry served as an excellentorganic fertilizer, and was non-toxic to the plants.