BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTES - SEMICONTINUOUS ANAEROBIC-DIGESTION OF SUNFLOWER HEADS

Data for semicontinuous anaerobic digestion of sunflower heads were obtained in fermentors of 11 of effective volume, maintained at 55-degrees-C Experiments were carried out with a 2% sunflower head-water mixture for hydraulic retention times of 15, 10, and 8 days. Biogas quantities and compositions were measured each day until steady state was achieved. The steady state was achieved after three times of each hydraulic retention time (HRT). Gas productions of 0.180 m3/m3.dig.day with 62% CH4, 0.280 m3/m3.dig.day with 58% CH4, and 0.375 m3/m3.dig.day with 48% CH4 were obtained, for 15, 10, and 8 days of HRT respectively.