Title: Optimization of Biogas Production in a Batch Laboratory Digester Using Total Solids, Substrate Retention Time, and Mesophilic Temperature
Abstract: Optimization was done by investigating the interaction effects of total solids, mesophilic temperature, and substrate retention time on biogas production in a batch biodigester.The volume of the biodigester was 0.15m 3 .Central composite design of Response Surface Methodology was used to design the experiment.Total solid levels were varied from 6.31% to 9.68%, temperature was from 26.59°C to 43.41°C, and substrate retention time was from 9.95 to 20.04 days.Analysis of results was done using Design Expert software statistical package (version 10.0.0.3).It gave a coefficient of determination of 0.9665 which indicated a high correlation between the variables.All the variables had a significant effect.The highest biogas production rate of 75.41litres/day (or 0.50 m 3 of biogas per m 3 of digester volume per day, m 3 /m 3 d) was achieved at a level of 8% total solids, a temperature of 43.41°C, and a substrate retention time of 15 days.