In recent years, the world energy demand has increased with the increase in the population. Therefore, the alternative energy sources such as renewable energy sources have been intensively researched to produce clean fuel with the target of sustainable development and protection of the environment. Biomasses such as agricultural wastes are significant renewable energy sources. Among those, corn waste covers a significant portion of the agricultural wastes in Turkey; according to the Guide on Evaluation of Agricultural Wastes in Turkey, corn waste was produced about 32% in 2003. Thus, corncob, which is a corn waste, has also a great potential as a renewable energy source in the country. However, corncob has a lignocellulosic structure and low nitrogen content, which makes its treatment and/or conversion to energy via anaerobic digestion challenging. Pretreatment is a vital process in order to remove physical and chemical barriers and enhance the biodegradability of carbohydrates and lignocellulose. In addition, anaerobic co-digestion process is known as a reliable alternative option to resolve the drawbacks of single substrate digestion system related to the substrate characteristics and the system optimization.  Therefore, the aim of this study is set as to gain new insight into the anaerobic digestion of corncob. In this respect, the biochemical methane potential of corncob and manure will be investigated and the effects of varied factors on methane yield will be researched. Additionally, the effect of alkaline hydrothermal pretreatment on biogas production from corncob and corncob-manure mixture will be investigated under mesophilic conditions.

By: Tuğba Çelik Çağlar

Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuba Hande Ergüder Bayramoğlu

Date: 03.04.2019