Citation
Ismail, Nur A. and Azemi, Athirah and Omar, Rozita and Mahat, Siti B. and Syed Saber Ali, S. N. and Mustapa Kamal, Siti M.
(2025)
Utilization of liquid anaerobic digestate using recirculating hydroponic planting system.
ASEAN Journal of Chemical Engineering, 25 (3).
pp. 408-418.
ISSN 1655-4418; eISSN: 2655-5409
Abstract
A hydroponic planting technique employing organically treated anaerobic digestion digestate liquid fertiliser is becoming popular. This study examines the biological treatment of digestate from food processing waste anaerobic digestion using Cosmoball® uncoated and activated carbon-coated plastic media. In a pilot-scale recirculating hydroponic system (RHS), ammonia-to-nitrate conversion and plant development were assessed at varying digestate ammonia concentrations. Bench tests suggest that AC-coated Cosmoball® successfully treats digestate. After 21 days, the nitrate level reached 80 ppm, and 100% ammonia elimination and over 90% of the carbon oxygen demand (COD) were observed. The RHS maintained 116-ppm nitrate but reduced COD treatment to only 62–66%. High pH at the start of the RHS trial required pH control until day 40, after which it stabilised at 6.8.15-ppm ammonia additions caused a substantial pH drop. Maintaining the pH at 5.8 on the RHS boosted plant growth. Finally, AC-coated media improves nitrification and produces plant-growth nitrate.
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