Gasification of rice hulls into methane by rumen fluid: A simulation study

Department of Chemical Engineering, Bicol University, Legazpi City, Albay, 4500, Philippines

Corresponding author: jrbarajas12@gmail.com

Abstract

Methane gas, the third widely-used source of energy, has been identified as a potential alternative to climate-change causing fuels. Due to increased climate change awareness, recent trends in researches have shifted their focus on optimizing production rates of methane gas. This study contributes to research by investigating the degree of conversion of rice hulls into methane using rumen fluid. We first identify the kinetic parameters defining therate of hydrolyzing rice hulls into glucose by implementing a semi-factorial experimental design. We then simulated methane production in four different reactor configurations. Historical data were extracted from different literatures and these were subsequently used in the simulation study. Simulation results showed that the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) gave the shortest reaction time and highest methane yield which ranged from 7.1 9.5 mol/L and 3 4 days, respectively. In conclusion, this study provides an alternative approach to the conduct of understanding the optimal conditions necessary to achieve maximal methane gas production.