{"id":59548,"date":"2025-10-06T13:06:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T07:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/?post_type=dt_portfolio&#038;p=59548"},"modified":"2025-10-06T13:06:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T07:36:17","slug":"design-optimization-of-anaerobic-treatment-process-for-water-borne-plants-producing-biogas-and-bio-fertilizer","status":"publish","type":"dt_portfolio","link":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/project\/design-optimization-of-anaerobic-treatment-process-for-water-borne-plants-producing-biogas-and-bio-fertilizer\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Optimization of Anaerobic Treatment Process for Water Borne Plants Producing Biogas and Bio Fertilizer"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; type=&#8221;vc_default&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1584702595643{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1572893353553{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1759735824498{margin-bottom: 30px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;border-left-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.1) !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center gap-2 text-sm\">Dr. H.C. Ambawatte, Charuni W.K.P.G.N, \u00a0Elapatha O.K.D.W, Nawodya W.A.T, Pathirana R.H.K<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-9066a009dab972be\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-9066a009dab972be uvc-1797  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-9066a009dab972be h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"--font-weight:theme;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;\">Project Abstract<\/h3><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Sri Lanka faces two interlinked challenges: the urgent demand for renewable energy and the ecological damage caused by invasive aquatic species such as water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This project addresses both by developing and optimizing an anaerobic digestion system to convert water hyacinth into biogas and nutrient rich biofertilizer. The work included the design and fabrication of both single-stage and two-stage digesters, systematic analysis of feedstock particle size on biogas yield, and the integration of an IoT based real time pH monitoring system for precise process control. Experimental trials demonstrated that two-stage digestion, coupled with optimized particle size selection and pH management, achieved significantly higher methane yields and overall stability compared to conventional setups. In addition, the digestate proved valuable as an organic fertilizer, contributing to sustainable agriculture. This project represents how modern engineering can transform ecological threats into sustainable opportunities.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1572893349347{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}&#8221;]<style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"the7_shortcodes-inline-css\">.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-a517a0d5db7ae1b16e77dd902eb5d157.enable-bg-rollover .rollover i,\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-a517a0d5db7ae1b16e77dd902eb5d157.enable-bg-rollover .rollover-video i {\n  background: -webkit-linear-gradient();\n  background: linear-gradient();\n}\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-a517a0d5db7ae1b16e77dd902eb5d157 .rollover-icon {\n  font-size: 32px;\n  color: #ffffff;\n  min-width: 44px;\n  min-height: 44px;\n  line-height: 44px;\n  border-radius: 100px;\n  border-style: solid;\n  border-width: 0px;\n}\n.dt-icon-bg-on.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-a517a0d5db7ae1b16e77dd902eb5d157 .rollover-icon {\n  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n  box-shadow: none;\n}\n<\/style><div class=\"shortcode-single-image-wrap shortcode-single-image-a517a0d5db7ae1b16e77dd902eb5d157 alignnone  enable-bg-rollover dt-icon-bg-off\" style=\"margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; width:500px;\"><div class=\"shortcode-single-image\"><div class=\"fancy-media-wrap  layzr-bg\" style=\"\"><img class=\"preload-me lazy-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#39;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#39;%20viewBox%3D&#39;0%200%20500%20419&#39;%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-final-500x419.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-final-500x419.png 500w, https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-final-1000x838.png 1000w\" width=\"500\" height=\"419\"  data-dt-location=\"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/project\/design-optimization-of-anaerobic-treatment-process-for-water-borne-plants-producing-biogas-and-bio-fertilizer\/image-final\/\" style=\"\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-93766a009daba5b37\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-93766a009daba5b37 uvc-603  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"center\" style=\"text-align:center\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-93766a009daba5b37 h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"--font-weight:theme;\">Overview<\/h3><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Water hyacinth, locally known as \u201cJapan Jabara,\u201d has rapidly invaded Sri Lanka\u2019s freshwater bodies, blocking waterways, harming biodiversity, reducing fish stocks, and disrupting agriculture. Its fast growth makes it difficult to control, and methods such as manual removal or biological control provide only short-term relief. This project aimed to convert this invasive plant into a renewable energy resource through anaerobic digestion (AD). By utilizing its high organic content, water hyacinth was tested as a feedstock for biogas and biofertilizer. The work combined the design of single- and two-stage digesters with process optimization through particle size and pH control, supported by IoT-based real-time monitoring. These innovations demonstrate how a problematic weed can be transformed into clean energy, agricultural value, and an environmentally sustainable solution.<\/p>\n<p>Engineering Approach<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Digester Design and Fabrication<\/p>\n<p>Both single-stage and two-stage anaerobic digesters were developed and fabricated. The two-stage configuration separated the hydrolysis\/acidogenesis stage from the methanogenesis stage, allowing improved process control and higher efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Feedstock Preparation<\/p>\n<p>Water hyacinth was collected from local sources and prepared in selected particle sizes. Experimental trials were conducted to evaluate how particle size influences the breakdown of organic matter and methane yield.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 IoT-Based Process Monitoring<\/p>\n<p>A custom pH monitoring system was developed using ESP32 microcontrollers and connected to the ThingSpeak cloud platform. This allowed continuous monitoring of digester pH, ensuring optimal microbial activity and providing real-time data for process stability.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Results <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Biogas Production: The two-stage digester produced 25\u201330% higher biogas yield and improved methane concentration compared to the single-stage system under the same operating conditions.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Process Stability: IoT-enabled real-time monitoring minimized fluctuations, ensuring consistent gas production and avoiding process inhibition due to pH imbalance.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Byproduct Utilization: The digestate remaining after gas extraction proved to be a high-quality organic fertilizer, providing an additional environmental and economic benefit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Impact <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Environmental Benefit: Helps control water hyacinth infestations while generating renewable energy.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Sustainable Agriculture: Supplies nutrient-rich organic fertilizer as a byproduct. \u2022 Technological Innovation: Demonstrates the role of IoT in modernizing traditional bioenergy systems.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Scalability: Provides a practical, community-level model for renewable energy production in rural and semi-urban Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n<p>By integrating process engineering with digital monitoring, this project demonstrates that invasive water hyacinth can be transformed into a resource with tangible energy and agricultural benefits. It highlights how innovative solutions can simultaneously address ecological threats and energy challenges, underscoring the project\u2019s central theme, \u201cInvasive to Innovative.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;image&#8221; bg_override=&#8221;ex-full&#8221; type=&#8221;vc_default&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1572893362996{padding-bottom: 70px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; type=&#8221;vc_default&#8221; el_class=&#8221;reverse-row-on-mobile&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1572893387563{margin-bottom: -40px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_separator]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-96866a009daba5bc2\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-96866a009daba5bc2 uvc-1284  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-96866a009daba5bc2 h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"--font-weight:theme;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;\">Publications<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-96866a009daba5bc2 .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:normal;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;\">Ambawatte H.C., Charuni W.K.P.G.N., Elapatha O.K.D.W., Nawodya W.A.T., Pathirana R.H.K. \u201cDesign Optimization of Anaerobic Treatment for Water Hyacinth,\u201d RISTCON 2025.<\/div><\/div>[vc_separator]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-54286a009daba5c4d\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-54286a009daba5c4d uvc-9387  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-54286a009daba5c4d h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"--font-weight:theme;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;\">Website<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-54286a009daba5c4d .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:normal;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;\">https:\/\/bfuelhyacinth.rakiyalk.com\/<\/div><\/div>[vc_separator][\/vc_column][vc_column]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-52056a009daba5cc6\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-52056a009daba5cc6 uvc-3514  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-52056a009daba5cc6 h3'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h3 style=\"--font-weight:theme;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;\">Acknowledgement<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uvc-sub-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-52056a009daba5cc6 .uvc-sub-heading '  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}'  style=\"font-weight:normal;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;\">We extend our sincere gratitude to the Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna for providing the necessary facilities to conduct our project.<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; type=&#8221;vc_default&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1584702595643{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1572893353553{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1759735824498{margin-bottom: 30px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;border-left-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.1) !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}&#8221;] Dr. H.C. Ambawatte, Charuni W.K.P.G.N, \u00a0Elapatha O.K.D.W, Nawodya W.A.T, Pathirana R.H.K [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Sri Lanka faces two interlinked challenges: the urgent demand for renewable energy and the ecological damage caused by invasive aquatic species such&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":59549,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","dt_portfolio_category":[],"dt_portfolio_tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_portfolio\/59548"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_portfolio"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/dt_portfolio"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59548"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_portfolio\/59548\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59552,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_portfolio\/59548\/revisions\/59552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"dt_portfolio_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_portfolio_category?post=59548"},{"taxonomy":"dt_portfolio_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ruh.ac.lk\/dmme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dt_portfolio_tags?post=59548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}