Biogas Production from Cow Dung for Sustainable Energy Generation

Abstract

Microbial degradation of organic material under aerobic and anaerobic conditions is a key process within the natural metabolism of ecosystem. This term is often used in relation to energy, waste management and is now commonly associated with the anaerobic generation of methane. Microbial degradation and Biogas production from cow dung was investigated. Fresh cow dung was collected from Abattoir, Katsina State, Nigeria. The sample was collected in a large clean plastic container. Batch type anaerobic digesters were designed using Karki’s Biogas model. The produced biogas was collected by water displacement method. The production started on the sixth day of fermentation and followed an increasing trend. It reached its peak on the seventeenth day before a gradual fall in production rate. The Physico-chemical and microbiological analysis of the animal wastes were carried out before, during and after the digestion process. The pH range was 6.51 - 7.89. The temperature remained at mesophilic range (25-45ºC) throughout the study. Data on % total solids, and ash content were also determined. The total aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts ranged from 8.5 × 10^6 - 2.3 × 10^7 and 1.5 × 10^6 - 1.2 × 10^7 cfu/ml, respectively. The bacteria isolated were Klebsiella sp, Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium sp. Biogas production from cow dung is a good and cheap alternative source of energy. The use of biogas will not only serve as a source of fuel but will also help in the management of waste. Large scale production of biogas from wastes should be undertaken as the wastes around you can be converted to wealth.