Bio-hydrogen generation from mixed fruit peel waste using anaerobic contact filter

A method of treating mixed fruit peel waste was investigated using anaerobic contact filter based on bio-hydrogen generation. The effectiveness of anaerobic treatment was monitored by varying the influent volatile solid content (46, 66 and 84 g/L) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) (3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15 and 18 days). The results showed that for an influent volatile solid content of 46, 66 and 84 g/L a HRT of 10, 13 and 18 days were required to achieve a volatile solid destruction efficiency of 60%. The hydrogen content in the biogas reached a stable value of 63±2%63±2%, irrespective of influent volatile solid concentration and HRT. While the average biogas generation for the mixed fruit peel waste was found to be 0.73m3/kgVS destroyed at a HRT of above 5 days.