Articulo Equipo E

JKSUES 198 No.
of Pages 7
16 February 2016
Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences (2016) xxx, xxx–xxx
1
King Saud University
Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences

www.ksu.edu.sa
www.sciencedirect.com
2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE
4 Comparative study of the optimal ratio of biogas

5 production from various organic wastes and weeds
6 for digester/restarted digester
7 Ugochukwu C. Okonkwo a,*, Ejiroghene Onokpite a, Anthony O. Onokwai b
a
8 Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
b
9 Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
10 Received 5 August 2015; accepted 8 February 2016

11
13 KEYWORDS Abstract This study carried out a comparative analysis of the rates of production of biogas from
14
15 Digester; various organic wastes and weeds which enabled the determination of optimal ratio of poultry
16 Optimal ratio; droppings to domestic wastes. Digester was prepared for the anaerobic fermentation of the domes-
17 Biogas production; tic wastes and weeds. The gas production did not begin until the 7th day and increased steadily at
18 Organic wastes; first, and then increased sharply until it reached its peak on the 18th day before declining. The total
19 C/N ratio gas produced within the 22 days of experimentation was 1771 cm3. The maximum volume of gas
amounting to 809 cm3 was produced by the sample containing 50% poultry dropping and 50%
weeds. This indicates that this sample possesses the best C/N ratio of all the samples prepared.
For restarted digester, gas production began on the 2nd day as against the 7th day with no restarted
digester and the gas production peaked earlier.
20 Ó 2016 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access
article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
21 1. Introduction in sufficient amount for purpose of cooking, heating, lighting 28

and running of machinery, on one hand and the problem of 29
22 The process of producing biogas by the anaerobic fermenta- proper disposal of waste in a manner that it will not cause 30
23 tion of organic matter is a technology which is gaining popu- harm to man or damage the environment on the other. The 31
24 larity daily and is more widely adopted for use. This source of energy is grouped into two categories namely renew- 32
25 development is due to its ability to provide relief to man from able and non-renewable sources of energy and biogas belongs 33
26 two of the problems encountered in the course of living from to the former. 34
27 day to day. They are the problem of how to acquire energy Organic wastes are of plant and animal origin and are bio- 35
degradable, i.e. they can be broken down by micro-organism. 36
* Corresponding author. Example includes crop residue, animal dropping and animal 37
Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University. carcasses. Ye et al. (2008) observed that organic wastes are 38
usually treated by composting, stabilisation ponds, aerobic 39
digestion, and anaerobic digestion. The treatment helps to 40
reduce the harmful microbes present in the waste and make 41
Production and hosting by Elsevier them more stable. Anaerobic digestion serves a dual function 42
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jksues.2016.02.002
1018-3639 Ó 2016 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Please cite this article in press as: Okonkwo, U.C. et al., Comparative study of the optimal ratio of biogas production from various organic wastes and weeds for
digester/restarted digester. Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jksues.2016.02.002
JKSUES 198 No. of Pages 7
16 February 2016
2 U.C. Okonkwo et al.
43 by treating the waste and obtaining biogas by the anaerobic of the materials used. The gas is difficult to compress as much 100
44 fermentation of organic waste thus serving a dual function of as 34,000 KN/m2 to liquefy it. Biogas can be used for cooking, 101
45 treating organic waste to make them more stable and less heating and running of machinery. Most times, special modifi- 102
46 harmful to the environment, and providing energy for cooling, cations are needed for an efficient use of the gas. 103
47 lighting, heating, and running of machinery. Carbon (IV) oxide and Ammonia are both removed by 104
passing the gas through a solution of calcium hydroxide (Ca 105
48 1.1. Organic wastes (OH)2). They both react with the solution to give calcium car- 106
bonate and Ammonium Carbonate respectively. Hydrogen 107
49 Organic wastes are materials, which are of plant and animal ori- sulphide is removed by passing the gas through a desiccant 108
50 gin. They include the remains of dead plants and animals such as such as calcium chloride, (Kompogas, 2011). The calcium 109
51 stem, leaves, twigs, roots, feathers, hair, blood and opals. As chloride can be regenerated by heating it to drive off the water. 110
52 well as waste generated by animals e.g. dung. They are said to For cooking purposes gas may be used without scrubbing or 111
53 be biodegradable i.e. they can be broken down by micro- scrubbing will only involve removal of H2S and water. This 112
54 organisms into smaller molecules. Feijoo et al. (1995) observed is because methane has a flammability limit between 5% and 113
55 that the bacteria act on the complex molecules such as proteins, 15% by volume of air. Thus leaving the carbon (IV) oxide 114
56 fats and carbohydrates and break them down to simpler mole- enables it to attain this mixing ratio with air easily. When 115
57 cules like ammonia, carbon dioxide and nitrides. They are con- the gas is used for running machinery, H2S, H2O and NH3 116
58 sidered as nuisance due to their effect on the environment. They are removed to prevent corrosion of metal parts. Carbon 117
59 are highly unstable due to the gradual degradation (Yañez et al., (IV) oxide is removed to increase combustibility of gas. Biogas 118
60 2009). This is because as the decomposition occurs, oxygen is produced may be used directly from the digesters or it may be 119
61 used up. They are also considered as nuisance because of their stored in tanks which may be fixed roof or float roof type. The 120
62 odours, pH, etc. Treatment of organic waste involves the reduc- floating roof type enables compression of gas. 121
63 ing of the odour level, the quantity and stabilising the organic
64 waste before disposal. Methods used for treatment include 1.3. Methane 122
65 composting, stabilisation ponds, aerobic digestion, anaerobic

66 digestion, and incineration. There is an increasing use of anaer- The importance attached to biogas is due entirely to the pres- 123
67 obic digestion for the treatment of waste. This is due to the abil- ence of methane in the gas. It is the major constituent of the 124
68 ity to obtain energy from the waste as it is being treated. The gas making up (45–80%) of the biogas produced. It is a mem- 125
69 process produces a gas known as biogas which can be used for ber of the alkane or paraffin series of hydrocarbons with a gen- 126
70 heating, cooking, and running of machinery. Vaclar and eral formula CnH2n+2. It has a molecular formula of CH4, with 127
71 William (1980) stated that biogas production has been greatly a molecular mass of 16 g. It is also called a marsh gas because 128
72 exploited by China and India, most especially in the rural areas it is formed by anaerobic decomposition of vegetable matter in 129
73 thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels. swampy land. Coal miners know it as fire damp because mix- 130
tures with air are combustible. It is a major constitute of nat- 131
74 1.2. Biogas ural gas and coal gas. It is ubiquitous in soils, fresh water and 132
marine sediments, takes oceans and the atmosphere. Methane 133
75 Biogas is the gas obtained when organic matter decomposes in is a gas at room temperature with a boiling point of 16 °C 134
76 the absence of oxygen. According to Hendriks and Zeeman and a melting point of 180 °C. It is a colourless, odourless, 135
77 (2009), it is called biogas because it is obtained from biomass and tasteless gas, it has a density of 0.65 g/dm3 at 20 °C, and 136
78 (plant and animal remains). It is produced by the action of is therefore less dense than air. It has an upper flammability 137
79 anaerobic microorganisms on organic matter. They metabolise limit of 15% by volume of air, and a lower flammability limit 138
80 the organic matter with the aid of enzymes reducing the large of 50% by volume of air. 139
81 molecules e.g. carbohydrate, proteins and fats to smaller mole-

82 cules e.g. CH4 and CO2 to H2. The process requires the com- 1.4. Anaerobic digesters 140
83 plete absence of oxygen to take place. The gas produced is a

84 mixture of gases such as methane, carbon (IV) oxide, and Anaerobic digesters are containers or enclosures from which 141
85 hydrogen sulphide. oxygen has been restricted with an outlet for gas. They are arti- 142
86 The gas which is also known as marsh gas, sewage gas, and ficial oxygen-deprived environment for the decomposition of 143
87 dun gas is colourless and flammable with a characteristic organic matter. Biogas produced during the anaerobic decom- 144
88 odour. It contains methane (45–80%), carbon (IV) oxide position of the organic matter leave the gas outlet provided on 145
89 (27–45%), nitrogen (0.5–3%), hydrogen (1–10%), carbon the digester. They can be constructed from drums, tins, con- 146
90 monoxide (0.1%), oxygen (0.1%), and hydrogen sulphide pre- crete, bottle, etc. The size of the digester depends on the scales 147
91 sent in trace amounts. It has a calorific value of 5.5–7.5 kwh/ of operation. It is basically an air-tight container with an outlet 148
92 m3. It rises slowly in air and dissipates due to methane which for gas. The gas may be collected with a separated gas collector 149
93 is slightly lighter than air and carbon (IV) oxide which is heav- or used directly from the digester. The digester may be oper- 150
94 ier than air. Himanen and Hänninen (2011) stated that the ated as a batch or continuous process, (Dinsdale et al., 2000). 151
95 composition of the gas is dependent on the nature of the mate-
96 rial used as plants tend to produce gas with more amount of 1.5. Anaerobic fermantation 152
97 carbon (IV) oxide. The amount of gas produced per kg of
98 material also varies with the type of material used. The quality According to Chonker (1983), biomethanation involves the 153
99 of biogas produced depends on the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) anaerobic fermentation of CO, CO2, and H2 to methane, 154
16 February 2016
Biogas production from various organic wastes and weeds 3
155 anaerobic fermentation is most often considered as the spitting pulp before use. The groundnut husk was beaten before use. 211
156 of a substrate into two or more fragments, past oxidised and The weeds were chopped into small sizes before use. 212
157 compound. Overall, anaerobic decomposition of animals and
158 plants is a complex association of much successive fermenta- 2.2. Apparatus used for the project 213
159 tion by an array of different organisms.
Thermometer (1–110 °C). 215
214
160 1.6. Empirical studies Delivery tube. 216
Measuring cylinder (10 ml, 100 ml, 250 ml, and 500 ml). 217
161 Several studies that analyse and compare the methane produc- Weighting balance (triple beam balance model 700). 218
162 tion potential of low number of different crop species already Bunsen burner. 219
163 exist (e.g. Amon et al., 2007; Dandikas et al., 2014; Gissén Digesters. 220
164 et al., 2014; Triolo et al., 2011). However, the optimal ratio 221
165 of the selected species handled in this study has not been deter- The digesters were made of transparent plastic containers 222
166 mined before. of capacity 500 cm3 and 1250 cm3. They were wrapped in black 223
167 Different parameters have been reported to be correlated polythene bags to keep out light. This was done since it was 224
168 with the methane production potential of biomasses and sev- not known if the bacteria are sensitive to light. The gas pro- 225
169 eral models have been developed for the prediction of specific duced leaves the digester by means of the delivery tube and 226
170 methane yields from biomasses. Promising correlations have is connected into the measuring cylinder which was used as 227
171 previously been found for several chemical components such the gas measuring device. The delivery tube has a tap for reg- 228
172 as acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose, acid detergent fibre ulating gas flow. No heat was applied to the setup. But temper- 229
173 (ADF), hemicellulose and crude fat (Dandikas et al., 2014; ature was read daily. 230
174 Gunaseelan, 2009; Rath et al., 2013; Triolo et al., 2011). How-
175 ever, correlation studies are usually not based on the optimal 2.3. Experimental procedures 231
176 ratio of the mix as they focus on differences in methane yields
177 within one crop species.
SETUP 1: This was done to demonstrate the production of 233
232
178 On a larger scale, Herrmann et al. (2016), handled large
biogas by the anaerobic fermentation of weeds and domes- 234
179 scale of biogas species. From their study, silage fermentation
tic waste. 235
180 characteristics affect methane production significantly. They
Procedure: 30 g of poultry droppings, 30 g of weeds, and 236
181 proposed that parameters of silage fermentation be considered
30 g of orange peelings and groundnut shell were weighed 237
182 for the evaluation of methane formation from ensiled biomass.
on the plastic container of capacity 1250 cm3. 950 cm3 of 238
183 Besides methane production characteristics, biomass yields,
tap water was added to the content of the container. It 239
184 crop rotation effects, site-specific requirements and costs and
was then stirred after which the content was allowed to 240
185 environmental effects of biomass supply further need to be
stand for a day. The digester was then sealed and the entire 241
186 taken into account for the design of sustainable crop rotations.
setup arranged. 242
187 Also, in a related study by Nakisa (2013), he found that when a
SETUP 2: This was done to determine the ration of poultry 243
188 higher amount of oxygen (lower CH4/O2 ratio) is used at the
droppings to weeds, and poultry droppings to orange peel- 244
189 entrance of the reactor, methane conversion would reach a
ings and groundnut shell which will be required for opti- 245
190 maximum percent which leads to an increased production of
mum gas production. 246
191 carbon oxides.
Procedure: 247
SETUP 2A: 25% poultry dropping: 75% weeds. 248
192 2. Materials and methods 10 g of poultry dropping and 30 g of weeds were weighed 249
into the plastic container of 500 cm3 capacity. 400 cm3 of 250
193 2.1. Collection and preparation of materials water was added and the content of the container was then 251
stirred after which the setup was arranged. 252
194 Poultry dropping, orange peelings, and groundnut husk were SETUP 2B: 50% poultry dropping: 50% weeds. 253
195 the domestic wastes used. The weeds used were carpet grass 20 g of poultry dropping and 20 g of weed was weighed into 254
196 (Axonopus compressus) and goose grass (Eleusine indica). the plastic container of 500 cm3 capacity. 400 cm3 of water 255
197 The poultry droppings were obtained from a poultry farm in was added and the content of the container was then stirred 256
198 Oghara. The waste was obtained dry. It was packed into sack after which the setup was arranged. 257
199 before being transported to the site of the project work. The SETUP 2C: 75% poultry dropping: 25% weeds. 258
200 orange peelings and groundnut shell were obtained from 30 g of poultry dropping and 10 g of weed was weighed into 259
201 rooms in the male hostel of the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, the plastic container of 500 cm3 capacity. 400 cm3 of water 260
202 Oghara. They were obtained fresh and collected in polythene was added and the content of the container was then stirred 261
203 bags before being transported to the site of project work. after which the setup was arranged. 262
204 The weeds were collected fresh. They were harvested within SETUP 2D: 25% poultry dropping: 75% groundnut shell. 263
205 the hostels of the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, Oghara. After 10 g of poultry dropping and 30 g of groundnut shell was 264
206 cutting they were collected in a polythene bag and transferred weighed into the plastic container of 500 cm3 capacity. 265
207 to the site of project work. The materials used for the project After which 400 cm3 of water was added before it was 266
208 work were not dried before use. No chemical treatment was stirred. 267
209 carried out on the materials before use. The poultry dropping SETUP 2E: 25% poultry dropping: 75% groundnut shell. 268
210 was used as collected. The orange peelings were beaten into 10 g of poultry dropping and 30 g of groundnut shell was 269
16 February 2016
270 weighed into the plastic container of 500 cm3 capacity. trendline only captured the period of gas production (i.e. start- 303
271 After which 400 cm3 of water was added before it was ing from day seven). The R2 value was close to 1 which indi- 304
272 stirred. cates a good measure that future outcomes are likely to be 305
273 SETUP 3: This was done to determine the burning charac- predicted well by the trendlines. In other words, the equation 306
274 teristics of the gas produced. result can come out true to reality up to the above percentages 307
275 Procedures: 10 g of poultry dropping and 200 g of weeds when applied. 308
276 were weighed into reagent bottle; 1500 cm3 of water was On the other hand, Fig. 1 clearly shows that gas production 309
277 added. The content of the bottle was agitated; the bottle did not begin until the seventh day. During the period between 310
278 was then covered and sealed. The setup was arranged with set-up and initial gas production the microorganism responsi- 311
279 a Bunsen burner in place of the measuring cylinder. ble for the process were completely inactive. The aerobic bac- 312
280 SETUP 4: This was done to determine the time taken for teria present were using up all the oxygen present in the 313
281 digester to start production when it is activated with slurry digester during this period. After all oxygen has been used 314
282 from an already functioning digester. up, the acid forming bacteria became active and gas produc- 315
283 Procedure: 30 g of poultry and 70 g of weed was weighed tion began. But this initial gas will be mostly carbon (IV) 316
284 into the plastic container of capacity 1250 cm3. 400 cm3 of oxide. As the fermentation progresses, subtracts required for 317
285 used slurry was added to the container. 500 cm3 of tap the second phase will be produce in more quantity. At this 318
286 water was added to the content of the digester. The delivery point the production of methane will begin. The amount of 319
287 tube was connected into the measuring cylinder which was methane present in the gas will continue to increase until it 320
288 as the gas measuring device. No heat was applied as the reaches its maximum percentage by volume of the biogas pro- 321
289 ambient temperature was 29–32 °C. duced. Gas production increased steadily at first, and then 322
290 increased sharply until it reacheed its peak on the 18th day. 323
Gas production remained stable around the period of peak 324
291 3. Results and discussions production until it started declining gradually. 325
At the beginning of gas production the anaerobes present in 326
292 3.1. Results for the production of biogas by the anaerobic the organic material became active and began increasing in 327
293 fermentation of weeds and domestic waste population. When gas production began to rise, they were fully 328
established and were acting on more substrate. At the peak of 329
294 The result obtained from the SETUP 1 which demonstrated production, they were acting on the maximum amount of 330
295 the production of biogas by the anaerobic fermentation of organic matter possible. After this point, gas production began 331
296 weeds and domestic waste is shown in Fig. 1. to drop because the excess substrates were being converted to 332
297 Fig. 1 shows the daily gas production from 30 g of poultry methane. At this point also, there is a steady decline in the 333
298 dropping, 30 g of weeds, 30 g of orange peeling and 30 g of amount of substrate available to the bacteria to act on. There 334
299 groundnut husk. The figure also shows the value of the coeffi- is also a decrease in either carbon or nitrogen available for use. 335
300 cient of determination (R2) which is 0.94 and the trendline When one becomes exhausted, the process slows gradually to a 336
301 equation for biogas production per day. It is important to state stop. This decline continues until gas production gradually 337
302 that since the gas production started from day seven, the comes to an end. While the process progresses, the condition 338
Graph of daily gas producon from domesc organic

wastes and weeds
160
140
120
Volume (cm³) per day
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
days
Daily Gas Producon
Figure 1 Daily gas production from 30 g of poultry dropping, 30 g of weeds, 30 g of orange peeling and 30 g of groundnut husk as
obtained from SETUP 1.
16 February 2016
339 becomes more appropriate for the methane forming bacteria. contains the C/N ratio which approaches the optimum C/N 371
340 This led to an increase in the percentage composition of ratio of 30:1. Thus the sample containing 25% poultry drop- 372
341 methane in the biogas produced until the maximum level is ping and 75% groundnut shell had the least desirable value 373
342 reached. Thus as fermentation approaches the end, the burning of C/N ratio. The bacteria responsible for the anaerobic pro- 374
343 characteristics of the biogas improves. cess required both elements, as do all living organisms, but 375
they consume carbon roughly 30 times faster than nitrogen. 376
344 3.2. Results of ratios required for optimum production Assuming all other conditions are favourable for biogas pro- 377
duction, a carbon – nitrogen ratio of about 30:1 is ideal for 378
345 The results obtained from experimental SETUP 2A to 2E the raw material fed into a biogas plant. A higher ratio will 379
346 which were used to determine the ratio of poultry droppings leave carbon still available after the nitrogen has been con- 380
347 to weeds and poultry droppings to orange peelings and sumed, starving some of the bacteria of this element. These will 381
348 groundnut shell which will be required for optimum gas pro- in turn die, returning nitrogen to the mixture, but slowing the 382
349 duction is shown in Fig. 2. Keys used in describing r graph process. Too much nitrogen will cause this to be left over at the 383
350 legend in Fig. 2: P – (poultry dropping), W – (weeds), OP – end of digestion (which stops when the carbon has been con- 384
351 (orange peeling) and GH – (groundnut husk). sumed). The correct ratio of carbon to nitrogen will prevent 385
352 Biogas production began last in the sample made up of the loss of methane content. 386
353 25% poultry dropping and 75% groundnut shell. This may
354 be due to the high cellulose content of the groundnut shell. 3.3. Results for the determination of burning characteristics 387
355 The sample also has a low bacteria digester. The small amount
356 of anaerobic bacteria present will take more time to establish During the period of experimentation, of the burning charac- 388
357 itself and begin biogas production. The sample made of 25% teristics, the gas produced ignited with the aid of match and 389
358 poultry dropping and 75% weed, and those made up of 25% Bunsen burner each day. The results obtained were as shown 390
359 poultry dropping and 75% orange peeling began the produc- in Table 1. 391
360 tion of gas on day 8. This shows a similarity in chemical com-
361 position of both the weeds and the orange peeling. The
362 maximum volume of gas 809 cm3 was produced by the sample
363 containing 50% poultry dropping and 50% weeds. This indi- Table 1 Burning characteristic of biogas produced, as deter-
364 cates that this sample possesses the best C/N ratio of all the mined from experimental SETUP 3.
365 samples prepared. The C/N ratio, which is fully written as car- Day of test after gas Test by ignition with the aid of match and
366 bon to nitrogen ratio is regarded as the ratio of the elemental production Bunsen burner
367 carbon present in the material to the elemental nitrogen pre- 1–5 No burning
368 sent in the material. Different materials have their C/N ratio, 6–8 Little burning
369 but mixture of different materials can alter the overall C/N 9–end Proper burning
370 ratio of the total feedback. The result shows that this sample
Graph of gas producon by various rao of poultry dropping to

domesc waste and weeds
80
70
60
Volume per day (cm³)
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
25%P:) 75% W (CM3) 50%P: 50%W (CM3) 75%P: 25%W (CM3)

25%P: 75%OP (CM3) 25%P: 75% GH (CM3)
Figure 2 Volume of gas produced per day from mixtures of various ratios of poultry dropping to orange peeling, groundnut husk, and
weeds as obtained from SETUP 2.
16 February 2016
y = 0.038x3 - 2.178x2 + 37.47x - 49.62

R² = 0.985
180
Volume of Gas Produced per day (cm3)

160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Daily Gas Producon (Days)
Figure 3 Graph of biogas production per day in a restarted digester.
392 The first gas produced did not burn. It also shows that process to occur are already active but were only deactivated 429
393 when combustion began, it did not occur smoothly. This was by the introduction of oxygen. The time lag only occurred 430
394 because during the early period of biogas production, the con- because the oxygen present within the digester was being used 431
395 tent was mostly carbon (IV) oxide since the methane forming by the aerobic bacteria. As soon as oxygen is used up, biogas 432
396 bacteria were not fully active yet. Hence, there was more of production picks up fully. Since the set up is rich in bacteria 433
397 the acid phase taking place in the digester. As the fermentation loading, it also takes lesser time for the oxygen to be used 434
398 period progresses, the methane forming bacteria starts estab- up. Thus, the already established bacteria are simply given 435
399 lishing themselves and more of the methane forming phase substrate to act on. They work with shorter time because of 436
400 begin to occur. This led to an increase in the percentage by vol- their population and reduce the operating time of digester. 437
401 ume of methane in the age been produced. As this occurs, the The increase in the volume of gas can be explained by the ease 438
402 gas tendency to burn when ignited increases. Soon, the with which the population will increase since they were already 439
403 methane forming phase occurs at a maximum capacity with established. There are thus more bacteria to act on the sub- 440
404 the methanogens acting on the substrate produced by the acid strate to release more of the gas in the process. 441
405 forming bacteria for maximum biogas production. This causes
406 the production of methane to occur at its optimum capacity. 4. Conclusion 442
407 At this stage, burning of the biogas occurs easily. The flame
408 was observed to be blue and smokeless, which is a characteris- Biogas is produced by the anaerobic fermentation of poultry 443
409 tic of methane gas. There was also no appreciable deposition dropping, orange peeling, groundnut shell, and weeds (carpet 444
410 of soot on the burner. grass and goose grass). Over a period of 22 days, 177 cm3 of 445
biogas was produced from a mixture of 30 g poultry dropping, 446
411 3.4. Results of volume of gas in a restarted digester 30 g of orange peeling and groundnut shell, and 30 g of carpet 447
grass and goose grass. A mixture of 50% poultry dropping and 448
412 The result obtained from experimental SETUP 4 which 50% weeds produce the largest volume of gas. The gas pro- 449
413 enables the determination of volume of gas in a restarted diges- duced did not burn on the first day, this is because during 450
414 ter to start production when it is activated with slurry from the early period of biogas production the content was mostly 451
415 already functioning digester is shown in Fig. 3. carbon (IV) oxide since the methane forming bacteria were 452
416 From the graph in Fig. 3, one can easily observe that gas not fully active yet, but 9 days after the first day of production, 453
417 production began on the second day as against the seventh the gas produced burnt with a blue smokeless flame. A 454
418 day it began in experiment 1 which has no restarted digester. restarted digester took only two days to begin gas production 455
419 Similarly, the gas production peaked earlier. The Fig. 3 also and produced a higher volume of the total, hence it is sug- 456
420 shows the values of the coefficient of determination R2 and gested that digested slurry of previous batch of fermentation 457
421 the trendline equations for biogas production per day in a should not be emptied completely, but a certain quantity 458
422 restarted digester. The R2 value was close to 1 which indicates should be mixed with the new feedstock to improve biogas 459
423 a good measure that future outcomes are likely to be predicted production. Besides, to guarantee continuous production of 460
424 well by the trendlines. It should also be noted that since the gas biogas, two or more digesters should be operated at a set up 461
425 production began quite early, the trendline was captured con- interval of 2 weeks such that when a particular digester is pro- 462
426 sidering the entire period. Hence, when a digester is set up ducing biogas at its peak, another will just be beginning pro- 463
427 using slurry from a previous digestion, the production of gas duction. When production starts declining, there is another 464
428 begins earlier. This is because the microbes required for the digester getting to its peak period of gas production. 465
16 February 2016
466 5. Uncited references Gunaseelan, V.N., 2009. Predicting ultimate methane yields of 496
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Herrmann, C., Idler, C., Heiermann, M., 2016. Biogas crops grown in 502
469 Amon, T., Amon, B., Kryvoruchko, V., Machmüller, A., Hopfner- energy crop rotations: linking chemical composition and methane 503
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471 tristl, H., Schreiner, M., Zollitsch, W., 2007. Methane production Himanen, M., Hänninen, K., 2011. Composting of bio-waste, aerobic 505
472 through anaerobic digestion of various energy crops grown in and anaerobic sludges – effect of feedstock on the process and 506
473 sustainable crop rotations. Bioresour. Technol. 98, 3204–3212. quality of compost. Bioresour. Technol. 102, 2842–2852. 507
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Articulo Equipo E

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JKSUES 198 No.

King Saud University

Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences

4 Comparative study of the optimal ratio of biogas

10 Received 5 August 2015; accepted 8 February 2016

21 1. Introduction in sufficient amount for purpose of cooking, heating, lighting 28

65 composting, stabilisation ponds, aerobic digestion, anaerobic

81 molecules e.g. carbohydrate, proteins and fats to smaller mole-

83 plete absence of oxygen to take place. The gas produced is a

Graph of daily gas producon from domesc organic

Graph of gas producon by various rao of poultry dropping to

25%P:) 75% W (CM3) 50%P: 50%W (CM3) 75%P: 25%W (CM3)

y = 0.038x3 - 2.178x2 + 37.47x - 49.62

Volume of Gas Produced per day (cm3)

Figure 3 Graph of biogas production per day in a restarted digester.

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