EVALUATION OF BIO-METHANE POTENTIAL IN FRESH AND AGED COW DUNG THROUGH SOLID STATE ANAEROBIC DIGESTION METHOD
Intensive agricultural activities have increased the volume of biodegradable agricultural wastes, resulting in environmental degradation, emission of greenhouse and other toxic gases. This study investigates the potential of different cow dung samples (based on age) through Solid State Anaerobic Digestion (SSAD) method, as feedstock for bio-methane production in order to reduce natural biodegradability of feedstock before utilization, as a measure to reduce greenhouse and other toxic gases emission to the atmosphere. A batch study to ascertain the suitability of fresh and aged cow dung at uncontrolled temperature and pH was carried out. Fresh cow dung obtained higher bio-methane yields of 0.7476 m3/kg-VS and 0.540 m3/kg-VS as theoretical and experimental values respectively than the exposed (sun dried) samples. The result also indicated that a longer retention time was required to allow for bacterial growth in the exposed (sun dried) samples. The data obtained establish that the use of fresh cow dung as feedstock enhances bio-methane yield at the given condition. However, future work should focus on conducting series of experiments at controlled temperature and pH through SSAD method.
Authors : Lebnebiso, J.S., El-Nafaty, U.A., Aroke, U.O. and Ahmed, S.I.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 11(1) Date Uploaded : 7th May 2025