Biogas production potential of olive-mill wastes in Turkey

Abstract

The disposal of olive-mill pomace and its wastewater is a major problem worldwide. In general, the evaporation of stored wastewater accumulation merges with rainwater to cause greater environmental problems. However, an important recycling chain can be formed through biogas production and energy conversion from olive pomace and wastewater. This study evaluated the potential of the olive oil production in Turkey in terms of energy efficiency by examining the anaerobic fermentation method. In addition, chemical analysis of olive wastewater was conducted and its biogas potential was calculated. As a result of processing the olive wastewater for biogas purposes, the chemical oxygen demand of the product 2.3 g/L was found to be lower than the legal discharge criteria. If processed for biogas purposes, the 1,259,828 m(3) of non-disposable wastewater produced annually has the potential to yield 42,834,160 m(3)/ year of biogas as a significant energy source.