Abstract
In this study, sonic wave coupled Iturin A with alkaline pH mediated pre-disintegration was executed to attain enhanced biocellular substance release and upsurge the amenability of water hyacinth biomass (WHBI) towards bio-methanation. During pre-disintegration of WHBI sample, sonic wave coupled Iturin A with alkaline pH 11 necessitated less specific energy of 12110 kJ/kg TS for attaining 30 % of biomass lysis rate when compared to sonic wave coupled Iturin A method (specific energy: 21192 kJ/kg TS, biomass lysis rate: 22.7 %) and sole sonic wave method (specific energy: 35321 kJ/kg TS, biomass lysis rate:15.7 %). Then, pre-disintegrated WHBI samples were subjected to bio-methanation in which sonic wave coupled Iturin A with alkaline pH method attained higher biomethane production value (69 L/kg COD) than sonic wave coupled Iturin A method (52 L/kg COD), sonic wave method (41 L/kg COD), Iturin A method (35 L/kg COD) and control (11 L/kg COD). Further, the cost evaluation of pre-disintegration methods was proceeded in which sonic wave coupled Iturin A with alkaline pH method achieved net profit of 13.4 $ per ton of WHBI sample.