ABSTRACT

 Production of biogas from Palm oil mill effluent in Umuahia was studied. POME from three locations, Ndume Ibeku, Ikwueke Oboro and Umuafai Ibeku, were analyzed for physicochemical (Quality) characteristics. Thereafter, they were subjected to anaerobic digestion for biogas production. Parameters of assessment included changes in quality characteristics (particularly COD Reduction, biogas yield and methane production level). Results obtained show that the physicochemical properties of POME recorded high BOD, COD, and TOC in the ranges of 360 - 394mg/l, 7984-8580mg/l and 133-146mg/l respectively. Total solid was in the range of 1614mg/l to 1812mg/l, and organic matter 229.79mg/l to 252.50mg/l. There were reductions in these parameters after the anaerobic digestion. Chemical oxygen demand reduced by 46%, 52.0% and 53.2% for the POME from Ndume, Ikwueke and Umuafai respectively with considerable biogas production of 720mg/l, 768mg/l and 833mg/l respectively. The biogas production showed variation in their rate after the 21 days of digestion in which increases from 160mg/l to 720mg/I was recorded from day 3 to day 21 with Ndume POME, 170 to 768mg/l was recorded with POME from Ikwueke, and 185.1 to 833mg/l for POME from Umuafai. The methane yield was also 334.88, 367.37 and 399.4ml as obtained from POME from Ndume, Ikwueke,and Umuafai respectively. Generally, the biogas production from the POME was successful, but showed variations in the quality of biogas and methane produced from POME from the different oil mills in Umuahia. The potential of the POME as raw material for production of renewable energy alternative to fossil fuel was noted.