Enhancing Anaerobic Codigestion Technology with Machine Learning Approach for Climate Change Mitigation in Palm Oil Agro-Industries of Cameroon

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 College of Technology, University of Buea, PoBox 63, Buea-Cameroon.

2 Laboratory of water management, Rural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, PoBox 222, Dschang-Cameroon.

3 Laboratory of Renewable energy, Rural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, PoBox 222, Dschang-Cameroon.

10.22103/bbr.2025.25506.1123

Abstract

Applying machine learning to anaerobic co-digestion offers potential benefits for the palm oil industry and climate change mitigation. Conventional prediction models are often complex and lack generalization, while studies on palm oil mill effluent (POME) and cow dung have not fully addressed optimal substrate ratios and operating conditions. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) and a decision tree (DT) were applied to model and optimize POME–cow dung co-digestion. RSM examined the relationship between mixing ratios, temperature, pressure, and pH, while the DT classified biogas volume as low, high, or very high. Results indicated that biogas yield significantly depended on mixing ratios, with optimal performance at 1:1 and 0.5:1 ratios, corresponding to temperatures of 19°C and 39°C. The correlation coefficient for prediction reached 31%, and sensitivity analysis revealed temperature as the most influential factor, followed by pH and pressure. Overall, integrating machine learning into co-digestion modeling can reduce operating costs and enhance the sustainability of palm oil agro-industries.

Keywords


Abbass, K., Qasim, M. Z., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, H., & Younis, I. (2022). A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environmental science and pollution research, 29(28), 42539-42559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6
Anitha, M., Kamarudin, S., Shamsul, N., & Kofli, N. (2015). Determination of bio-methanol as intermediate product of anaerobic co-digestion in animal and agriculture wastes. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 40(35), 11791-11799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.06.072
Awhangbo, L., Bendoula, R., Roger, J.-M., & Béline, F. (2020a). Detection of early imbalances in semi-continuous anaerobic co-digestion process based on instantaneous biogas production rate. Water Research, 171, 115444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115444
Awhangbo, L., Bendoula, R., Roger, J.-M., & Béline, F. (2020b). Multi-block data analysis for online monitoring of anaerobic co-digestion process. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 205, 104120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemolab.2020.104120
Awoh, E. T., Kiplagat, J., Kimutai, S. K., & Mecha, A. C. (2023). Current trends in palm oil waste management: A comparative review of Cameroon and Malaysia. Heliyon, 9(11), e21410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21410
Beltramo, T., Ranzan, C., Hinrichs, J., & Hitzmann, B. (2016). Artificial neural network prediction of the biogas flow rate optimised with an ant colony algorithm. Biosystems Engineering, 143, 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.01.006
Choong, Y. Y., Chou, K. W., & Norli, I. (2018). Strategies for improving biogas production of palm oil mill effluent (POME) anaerobic digestion: A critical review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 2993-3006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.10.036
De Clercq, D., Jalota, D., Shang, R., Ni, K., Zhang, Z., Khan, A., Wen, Z., Caicedo, L., & Yuan, K. (2019). Machine learning powered software for accurate prediction of biogas production: A case study on industrial-scale Chinese production data. Journal of cleaner production, 218, 390-399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.031
Fajar, M. F., Faizal, M., & Novia, N. (2018). Effects of mesophilic and thermophilic temperature condition to biogas production (methane) from palm oil mill effluent (POME) with cow manures. Science and Technology Indonesia, 3(1), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.26554/sti.2018.3.1.19-25
Hsieh, Y.-L., & Yeh, S.-C. (2024). The trends of major issues connecting climate change and the sustainable development goals. Discover Sustainability, 5(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00183-9
Kainthola, J., Kalamdhad, A. S., & Goud, V. V. (2020). Optimization of process parameters for accelerated methane yield from anaerobic co-digestion of rice straw and food waste. Renewable energy, 149, 1352-1359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.10.124
Kana, E. G., Oloke, J., Lateef, A., & Adesiyan, M. (2012). Modeling and optimization of biogas production on saw dust and other co-substrates using artificial neural network and genetic algorithm. Renewable energy, 46, 276-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2012.03.027
Krishnan, S., Singh, L., Sakinah, M., Thakur, S., Wahid, Z. A., & Ghrayeb, O. A. (2017). Role of organic loading rate in bioenergy generation from palm oil mill effluent in a two-stage up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket continuous-stirred tank reactor. Journal of cleaner production, 142, 3044-3049.
Kutyauripo, I., Rushambwa, M., & Chiwazi, L. (2023). Artificial intelligence applications in the agrifood sectors. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 11, 100502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100502
Li, Y., Jin, Y., Li, H., Borrion, A., Yu, Z., & Li, J. (2018). Kinetic studies on organic degradation and its impacts on improving methane production during anaerobic digestion of food waste. Applied Energy, 213, 136-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.01.033
Lim, Y. F., Chan, Y. J., Hue, F. S., Ng, S. C., & Hashma, H. (2021). Anaerobic co-digestion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) with decanter cake (DC): effect of mixing ratio and kinetic study. Bioresource Technology Reports, 15, 100736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2021.100736
López-Aguilar, H. A., Morales-Durán, B., Quiroz-Cardoza, D., & Pérez-Hernández, A. (2023). Lag phase in the anaerobic Co-digestion of Sargassum spp. and organic domestic waste. Energies, 16(14), 5462.
Mao, C., Feng, Y., Wang, X., & Ren, G. (2015). Review on research achievements of biogas from anaerobic digestion. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 45, 540-555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.02.032
Moyo, E., Nhari, L. G., Moyo, P., Murewanhema, G., & Dzinamarira, T. (2023). Health effects of climate change in Africa: A call for an improved implementation of prevention measures. Eco-Environment & Health, 2(2), 74-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.004
Nasir, I., Ghazi, T. M., Omar, R., & Idris, A. (2012). Palm oil mill effluent as an additive with cattle manure in biogas production. Procedia Eng, 50, 904-912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.10.098
Ohale, P. E., Ejimofor, M. I., Onu, C. E., Abonyi, M., & Ohale, N. J. (2023). Development of a surrogate model for the simulation of anaerobic co-digestion of pineapple peel waste and slaughterhouse wastewater: Appraisal of experimental and kinetic modeling. Environmental Advances, 11, 100340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2022.100340
Parrenin, L., Danjou, C., Agard, B., & Beauchemin, R. (2023). A decision support tool for the first stage of the tempering process of organic wheat grains in a mill. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 58(10), 5478-5488. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.16406
Pererva, Y., Miller, C. D., & Sims, R. C. (2020). Existing empirical kinetic models in biochemical methane potential (BMP) testing, their selection and numerical solution. Water, 12(6), 1831. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061831
Promraksa, A., & Rakmak, N. (2020). Biochar production from palm oil mill residues and application of the biochar to adsorb carbon dioxide. Heliyon, 6(5), e04019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04019
Razuan, R., Chen, Q., Zhang, X., Sharifi, V., & Swithenbank, J. (2010). Pyrolysis and combustion of oil palm stone and palm kernel cake in fixed-bed reactors. Bioresource Technology, 101(12), 4622-4629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.01.079
Roy, A. D., Prakash, O., Kumar, A., Kaviti, A., & Pandey, A. (2018). Design and Selection Criteria of Biogas Digester. In Low Carbon Energy Supply: Trends, Technology, Management (pp. 91-112). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7326-7_6
Sukkar, K. A., Al-Zuhairi, F. K., & Dawood, E. A. (2021). Evaluating the influence of temperature and flow rate on biogas production from wood waste via a packed-bed bioreactor. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 46(7), 6167-6175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04900-0
Swart, R., Robinson, J., & Cohen, S. (2003). Climate change and sustainable development: expanding the options. Climate policy, 3(sup1), S19-S40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clipol.2003.10.010
Tshemese, Z., Deenadayalu, N., Linganiso, L. Z., & Chetty, M. (2023). An overview of biogas production from anaerobic digestion and the possibility of using sugarcane wastewater and municipal solid waste in a South African context. Applied System Innovation, 6(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/asi6010013
Vahedi, E., Rabbani, H., & Faramarzi, P. (2022). Redesigning a Stalk Chopper Mechanism for Reducing Cutting Energy and Optimizing Its Bite Length. Biomechanism and Bioenergy Research, 1(2), 69-73. https://doi.org/10.22103/bbr.2022.20466.1030