Potential and Characteristics of Methane Production During Anaerobic Digestion of Cabbage Waste at Different Temperatures

Anaerobic digestion of vegetable waste is a viable approach for sustainable waste management. However, the process requires optimization. Using a batch anaerobic reactor with cabbage waste as fermentation material, the potential and characteristics of methane production during anaerobic digestion of vegetable waste at five different temperatures were investigated. The analysis revealed that the cumulative gas production increased with rising temperature and was 528.33 mL at 30 ℃; 927.5 mL at 35 ℃; 955 mL at 40 ℃; 1017.5 mL at 45 ℃; and 1075 mL at 50 ℃; the cumulative methane production at the five temperatures was 233.18, 569.14, 597.62, 437.88, and 621.65 mL, respectively, with the lowest production at 45 ℃. Methane production rates per total solid content were 97.69, 238.43, 250.37, 183.44, and 260.43 mL/g, accordingly. Methane production rates per volatile solid content were 180.00, 439.34, 461.33, 338.02, and 479.88 mL/g, respectively. Overall, the methane generation during anaerobic digestion of cabbage waste at a temperature-blind zone of 45 ℃ was relatively low. Considering the need to reduce energy consumption in industrial processes, 35 ℃ is the most suitable temperature for anaerobic digestion of cabbage waste. The study provides a theoretical basis for efficient cabbage waste utilization and industrialization of related applications.