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Reaction velocity constants for batch methane fermentation on farms, notably in the tropics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

W. H. Boshoff
Affiliation:
Makerere University College, Box 262, Kampala, Uganda

Extract

The gas production in batch fermentation of vegetable matter found on farms is shown to lend itself to the application of monomolecular equations providing an active and well-developed starter material is used for initiating the fermentations. The reaction velocity constants as established for a common material found in the tropics, namely elephant grass, would seem to be some two to five times lower than that previously reported for sewage sludge. The higher rate of decomposition of the sewage sludge is attributed to its more favourable physical condition and possibly also to its greater content of more easily fermentable substances.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1967

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