Introducing Temperature as Variable Parameter into Kinetic Models for Anaerobic Fermentation of Coffee Husk, Pulp and Mucilage

Abstract

Primary coffee processing generates important by-products—the pulp, husk and mucilage—while producing the green coffee beans. These by-products represent a large quantity of biomass and might create an adverse impact on environment if they are left to uncontrolled natural decay. In this study, the bio-methane formation potential of coffee husk, pulp and mucilage was examined in batch assays performed at 21 °C, 30 °C and 37 °C. The mean specific methane yield (SMY) from husk, pulp, and mucilage were 159.4, 244.7 and 294.5 L kg−1 volatile solids(VS), respectively, for a fermentation temperature of 37 °C; 156.8, 234.8 and 287.1 L kg−1 VS, respectively, for 30 °C; and 139.9, 196.2 and 255.9 L kg−1 VS, respectively, for 21°C. Two kinetic models, namely, the modified Logistic model (LOG) and the modified Gompertz model (GOM), were applied to fit experimental data and the respective kinetic constants were generated. Both models exhibited a very good fit to the measured data points (R2 > 0.987). The relationship of kinetic constants of substrates with fermentation temperatures was established and inserted into the LOG and GOM models; thus, generalized LOG and GOM models were obtained to predict SMY of the substrates at any temperature between 21 °C and 37 °C.