BVL Collaborates with KNUST, RWESC Student Blissbern Appiagyei Osei-Owusu to Publish Research in Heliyon
Blissbern Appiagyei Osei-Owusu, a PhD student at the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, has published groundbreaking research in Heliyon (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24080). The research was a collaborative effort between the Bioresources Valorization Laboratory (BVL), University of Benin and the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana and the Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Blissbern's study aimed to explore the potential of anaerobic digestion (AD) for the onsite treatment of human excreta (HE), food leftovers (FLO), and kitchen residues (KR). The research included a biochemical methane potential (BMP) test to measure methane yields from these waste types. By examining various mixing ratios, the study aimed to understand the impact of different substrate properties and compositions on methanogenic performance. The minimal effective ratios of FLO and KR were also determined, considering the competition for food waste to be used as animal feed. The study's findings offer valuable insights into optimizing biogas production through the co-digestion of HE, FLO, and KR. The response surface plots and ternary mixture design revealed the optimal mixing ratios for maximum biogas and methane yields. Notably, a mixture comprising 78.8% HE, 11.8% FLO, and 9.4% KR (R9) produced the highest methane yield of 764.79 mLCH4/gVS and a synergistic index of 3.26. The response surface plots also highlighted significant interactions between HE, FLO, and KR, with HE and KR showing a positive synergistic effect on biogas and methane yields.
"This study provides a comprehensive guide for setting up and operating co-digestion systems for the onsite treatment of household waste," Blissbern explained. "By identifying the optimal mixing ratios, we can enhance biogas production while maintaining system stability, leveraging the positive synergistic effects of the substrates."
Dr. Andrew Nosakhare Amenaghawon, Principal Investigator of BVL, emphasized the broader implications of this research. "These findings are crucial for developing sustainable waste management practices in Ghana and beyond. The ability to optimize substrate mixtures for biogas production not only supports environmental sustainability but also contributes to local economies by generating renewable energy from waste."
The collaboration with the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre, Kumasi, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana and the Bioresources Valorization Laboratory at the University of Benin, underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex environmental challenges. By combining expertise in civil engineering and bioresources valorization, the team has made significant strides in advancing sustainable waste treatment technologies.
The publication of these findings in Heliyon marks a significant milestone for Blissbern Appiagyei Osei-Owusu and the Bioresources Valorization Laboratory. The research not only advances the field of anaerobic digestion but also sets a precedent for future studies on sustainable waste management practices in the Ghanaian context and beyond.