Biogas Production Using Water Hyacinth (Eicchornia crassipes) for Electricity Generation in Kenya

Abstract

Water hyacinth, E. crassipes, an invasive water weed thrives in fresh water bodies causing serious environmental problems. In Kenya the weed has invaded Lake Victoria and poses great socioeco-nomic and environmental challenges. Currently the weed is harvested from the Lake and left in the open to rot and decay leading to loss of aesthetics, land and air pollution. There is therefore need for development of value addition and economic exploitation strategies. The aim of the study is to assess the potential for utilization of the weed as a renewable energy resource for biogas pro- duction. Samples were collected from Lake Victoria, pulped and blend with cow dung at a ratio of 3:1 as inoculum. The resultant mixture was mixed with water at a ratio of 1:1 and fed into a 6 m3tubular digester. The digester was recharged with 20 kg after every three days. The temperature,pH variations, gas compositions, upgrading and gas yields were studied. The temperature ranged between 22.8 ̊C - 36.6 ̊Cand pH 7.4 - 8.5. Biogas was found to contain 49% - 53% methane (CH4), 30% - 33% carbon dioxide (CO2), 5% - 6% nitrogen (N2) and traces of hydrogen sulphide (H2S). The biogas was upgraded using solid adsorbents and wet scrubbers increasing the methane con-tent by up to 70% - 76%. The upgraded gas was used to power internal combustion engines cou- pled with an electricity generator and direct heat applications. The study concludes that E. cras- sipes is a potential feedstock for biogas production especially in areas where it is abundan