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IX

CONTENTS

Page

CONTENTS IX

LIST OF TABLES XIII

LIST OF FIGURES XV

CHAPTER I Introduction 1

1.1 Rationale and background 1

1.2 Thesis objectives 4

1.3 Research scope 5

CHAPTER II Literature review 6

2.1 Substrates used 6

2.1.1 Skim latex serum 6

2.1.1.1 Compositions of non-rubber materials in the serum 6

2.1.1.1.1 Carbohydrates 6

2.1.1.1.2 Proteins 7

2.1.1.1.3 Lipids and phospholipids 7

2.1.2 Palm oil mill effluent 9

2.2 The biogas process 12

2.2.1 Hydrolysis 13

2.2.2 Acidogenesis 14

2.2.3 Acetogenesis 14

2.2.4 Methanogenesis 14

2.3 Two-stage anaerobic digestion process 15

2.4 Factors affecting the stability of the biogas production by dark fermentation 16

2.4.1 Substrate 16

2.4.2 Nutrients 16

2.4.3 Operating conditions 17