CONSTRUCTION OF DIGESTER AND PRODUCTION OF

BIOGAS USING COW DUNG AND KITCHEN WASTE

BY

ISAAC GRANT OGBONNAYA

MOUAUIMEE/14/23099

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING, MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE,
UMUDIKE, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (B. ENG) IN
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.

JANUARY 2020
 DECLARATION

This project is the original work approved, supervised, by supervisory committee and carried out

by ISAAC GRANT OGBONNAYA with registration number MOUAU/MEE/14/23099. In

partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical

Engineering.

Name: ISAAC GRANT OGBONNAYA Signature. AIt Date I jo c/.2o 7J

Registration Number MOUAUIMEE/14/23099
 CERTIFICATION

We certified that this project titled: Construction of Digester and Production of Biogas using

Cow Dung and Kitchen Waste" written by Isaac Grant Ogbonnaya with the registration

number MOUAU/MEE/14/23099 has been examined and found accepted for the award of

Bachelor of Engineering in the department of Mechanical Engineering.

Engr. Dr. O.M Chima if/i.

Supervisor Signature Date

Engr. Dr. F.I. Abam

Head of department Signature Date

External supervisor
Signature Date
 DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to God almighty, who provided me with life, good health, and the

understanding needed to successfully execute this project work. Amen.

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to express my sincere and profound gratitude to my supervisor Engr. Dr. 0. M. Chima

who made out time to meet me on numerous occasions for the sake of this work and provided me

with the information and guidance needed to successfully execute this project. I would not forget

to appreciate the head of department. Engr. Dr. Prof. F. I. Abam.

I also wish to thank all the lecturers of the Mechanical Engineering Department among whom

are Engr. Igboayaka Ekene, Engr. Dr. B. N. Nwankojike and Engr. Dr. M. A. Allen. Your

contribution to my growth and development during the course of my stay in this great institution

are well appreciated.

I won't forget my honorable parent. Rev & Mrs. G. 0. Isaac (JP). I would like to appreciate my

elder brothers Isaac and, Chima, for their support, encouragement and financial assistance during

my undergraduate program. May the Almighty God bless you richly Amen.

V
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table of Content vi
List of Tables viii
List of Figures ix
Abstract x
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of Study 1
11 Problem Statement 2
1.2 Objectives/Scope of Study 2
1.3 Justification 3
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 General Overview 4
2.2 Description of Biogas 4
2.3 Composition and Characteristics of Biogas 5
2.5 Microbiology and Biochemistry of Anaerobic Digestion 6
2.5.1 Hydrolysis 6
2.5.2 Acidogenesis S 6
2.5.3 Acetogenesis: 7
2.5.4 Methanogensis: 7
2.6 Factors Affecting the Yield of Biogas 7
2.7 Types of Biogas Plant/Digester 8
2.8 Importance/Uses of Digestate 9
2.9 Description of Water Hyacinth 10
CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Materials 12
3.1.1 Procurement of the Materials 12
3.1.2 Equipment/ Apparatus Used 12
3.2 Method 12
3.2.1 Basis of Material Selection 13
3.3 Experimental Procedures 15
3.3.1 Determination of the Biogas Characteristics 15
CHAPTER 4: RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Result 19

vi
4.1.1 Volume of Biogas Produced Result 19
4.1.2 Analysis of the Biogas 22
4.3 Result for pH Value 22
4.4 Mixing Ratio of Substrate 23

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion 24
5.2 Contribution to Knowledge 24
5.3 Recommendation 24

VII
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

Table 2.1 Percentage. Composition of Gases Contained In Biogas 5

Table 2.2 Showing Parameters of Water Hyacinth 11

Table 3.1 Parameters of Different. Feed Materials 13

Table 4.1 Volume of Biogas Produced Every With Time 19

Table 4.2 Results For Analysis Of the Biogas Using Gas Chromatography. 22

Table 4.3 Result for pH Value 22

Table 4.4 Mixing Ratio of Substrates in the Treatments 23

 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

2.1 picture of a water hyacinth 10

3.1 locally made digester for the production of biogas. 14

3.2 A simplified diagram of a gas chromatograph 17

3.3 gas chromatography 18

4.1 Graphical representation of the volume of biogas produced with time for treatment A 20

4.2 Graphical representation of the volume of biogas produced with time for treatment B. 21

ix
 ABSTRACT

The challenge arising from the recent rise in price and scarcity of fuels has resulted to the use of
alternative energy sources where animal manure and kitchen waste are used to produce bio gas
as substitute to fossil fuel. In this work (biogas production) in two treatments was setup
consisting 25kg of kitchen waste (rice, plantain and banana peels) and 15kg of cow dung all in
40kg of water for digester A , and 25kg of kitchen waste (rice plantain and banana peels) 15kg
cow dung, 10kg water hyacinth and 40kg of water for digester B. The retention period was (40)
forty days. Observation shows that biogas started generating on the 5 day. Ignition test
conducted on the biogas generated produced blue flame when the valve was open small. When
the valve was open totally it produced yellow flame. The analysis of th gas composition shows
a methane content of 53.34% for treatment A and 65% for treatment. It was concluded from the
study that improved composition of methane in locally produced bio gas could be achieved using
water hyacinth. This has opened up opportunity to explore the raw material for such application.

x
 1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Energy consumption is a serious problem. Since it can affect our world. The unavailability of

LPG and kerosene is increasing day by day. The price of these fuels has increased and will keep

on going higher. This has created a negative impact on the economy of Nigeria people. Even

when people are eager to pay the price, fuel is not available in required quantity or at times not

available at all. The scarcity of fuel is a major challenge facing most developing countries like

ours.

Most of the energy consumed in Nigeria comes from traditional sources such as wood, it is a

traditional source of energy, which has remained the major source of fuel for over half of the

world population (FOA, 2001).This has led to deforestation. More also, there is shortage of fuel

due to its depletion all over the world. Hence, the natural source of the fossil fuels are being

consumed in an alarming rate and these resources are coming to an end. Since the fuels are non-

renewable and cannot be produced by any other known method, these fuels won't last for very

long. In other words the fossil fuel era is coming to an end.

Furthermore, the increase on industrialization, urbanization and changes in the pattern of life

which accompany the process of economic growth, has given rise to generation of increasing

quantities of waste leading to increased threats to the environment. The disposal of kitchen waste

has created many problems in large cities like Aba, Port Harcourt, and Lagos. The environmental

pollutin resulting from the littered waste leads to spread of a lot of diseases which is detrimental
 2

to human health. Therefore the need to utilize these waste for energy generation which will

definitely convert these waste to wealth is paramour. The problem created by scarcity of land for

disposing waste is another factor that necessitate the need for this study. Therefore this forms the

basis for this this study.

1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

It is generally accepted that there is high demand for fossil fuel in our nation for domestic and

its related purposes, which the present ones are not sufficient for. Therefore, the need to use an

alternative becomes paramount. Also, these waste materials constitute to environmental

pollution. Hence there is need to convert these wastes to wealth, in other to get our environment

clean and improve our standard of living. And also, to support the development of rural area and

employment. The volume of biogas produce by some organic wastes are little there is a need to

enhance it.

1.2 OBJECTIVES/SCOPE OF STUDY

The main objective for this study is to construct a digester and to increase the yield of biogas

from acheap raw materials (cow dung) and kitchen waste (rice, plantain and banana peels).

Other specific objectives required to achieve the aim of this study include:

• To construct a biogas digester.

• To determine the suitability of kitchen waste for the production of biogas.

• To generate alternative energy sources that is environmentally friendly.

The scope of this research includes:

 4

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW

Biogas has become a dominant energy source yet, however its production is an effective way for

waste management that is gradually evolving into an environmentally sound and economically

sustainable solution (Mackawa, 1999). Biogas production schemes evolved from Small scale

individual units into large scale production plants (Henham and Makkr, 1998). It has been

reported that combustible gas is generated when organic waste is allowed to rot in huge piles

(Jan BaptiseVan Helmont, 1776). Volta, (1776) postulated that there was a direct connection

between how much organic material was used and how much gas the material produced. John

Dalton and Humhery Davy,( 1804) established that the combustible gas is methane.

Bechamp(1868) reported that the formation of methane during the decomposition of organic

matter was through a microbiology process. It was also reported that methane perhaps formed

due to micro -organism mediated reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide (MC Carty

1982).

2.2 DESCRIPTION OF BIOGAS

Biogas is the name given to the methane rich gas that is produced from anaerobic digestion of

wastes. This gas was discovered long time ago, some argue that Chinec knew about it 300years

ago, while others say that Assyrians used it to heat their baths, the first biogas production plant is

thought to be built in India in 1897 and served the function of sewage treatment as well (Harris,

2002). A biogas recovery system is composed of a manure source and collection system that
 5

provides manure to the digester where hydraulic and fermentative bacteria cooperate with acid

forming and methane forming bacteria to produce biogas (Lusk, 1998).

Biogas typically refers to methane rich gas produced from fermentation of organic matter under

anaerobic environment (Wikipedia, 2005). Biogas is a natural energy resource which composed

mainly methane (CH4). The biogas is an ecofriendly energy and heating resource. The quantity

of biogas produce depend on the type of substrate used. The innovative fuel is almost free of

carbon dioxide emission.

2.3 COMPOSITION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOGAS

Biogas contain different gases. The volume of biogas produced is dependent on the organic

matter used for its production. http://energy pedia.info/biogas technology.' The composition of a

biogas includes the following as shown in Table 2.1

Table 2.1 percentage composition of gases contained in biogas (biogas composition, 2017).

Component Chemical symbol % by Volume

Methane CH4 5 0-70

Carbon dioxide CO2 25-50

Hydrogen suiphide H2S 0.1-0.5

Hydrogen H2 0-1

Oxygen 02 0-0.5

Nitrogen N2 0-10

Source:www.kolumbus.fi,2007[15]

Biogas has almost the same characteristic as natural gas. It has a heat value of 6kwh1m3 which is

equivalent to 21,600kj/m3 while that of natural gas is 11kw/rn3. It is also a clean and odourless

4.
 6

combustible gas (like natural gas) which is produced when organic matter from plant and animal

wastes are anaerobically fermented or digested by methanogenic bacteria (Pokheral, 1991). The

gas is almost 20% lighter than air and has an ignition temperature of 650-750°C (Moulik, 1990).

The major drawback of biogas is its lower energy content compared to natural gas due to the

varying amount of CO2 and other traces gases.

2.5 MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

This is a process where organic materials are converted into biogas in the absence of oxygen. It

takes place in an enclosed building and involves the breakdown of organic materials in an air

tight container called digester. This is because exposure to sunlight increases the growth of

bacteria which retard the high yield of methane.

The transformation of organic matter takes place in four main phases according to (Demirbasa

Balat., 2009).

2.5.1 Hydrolysis: This is the first stage, bacteria transforms the particular organic substrates into

liquefied monomers and polymers. That is, protein, fats, carbohydrates are transformed to amino

acids, fatty acids, and monosaccharaides respectively. The hydrolysis reaction is shown in

equation 2.1. C6H1004 + 2H20 C6H 2O6 + 2H2 Equation 2.1

(Ostrem, 2004). Waste material of animals and plants consist of carbohydrates proteins

inorganic materials and lipids. Large molecular complex substrates are solubilized into simpler

ones with the help of enzyme released by the bacteria. It is also called as polymer breakdown.

2.5.2 Acidogenesis: acidogensis bacteria transform the products of the first reaction into short

chain volatile acids propionic acid (C2H5COOH), Butyric acid (C3H7COOH), Acetic acid

(CH3COOH) Lactic acid C3H603, ethanol C2H5OH and methanol (CI-I3OH) etc. the hydrogen,
 7

carbon dioxide and acetic acid will skip the third stage, acetogenesis, and be utilized directly by

the methanogenic bacteria in the final stage,

C6H1206 2C3CH2OH + 2CO2 Eq 2.2 (Ostrem, 2004)

C6H1206 + 2H2 2C3CH2COOH + 2H20 Eq 2.3 (Ostrem, 2004)

C6H1206 3CH3COOH Eq 2.4 (Bilitewski, 1997)

2.5.3 Acetogenesis:

This is the second stage where the rest of the acidogenesis products that is propionic acid, butyric

acid and alcohols are, transformed by the acetogenic bacteria into hydrogen, carbon dioxide and

acetic.

CH3CH2COO + 3H20 CH3COO + H +HCO3 +3H2 Eq 2.5

CH3CH2OH +2H20 CH3COO+ 2H2 + H Eq 2.6

C6H1206 +2H20 2CH3COOH +2CO2 + 4H2 Eq 2.7

2.5.4 Methanogensis: The product of third stage are converted into biogas which mainly

consists of methane and carbon dioxide as its major composition (Yebo et a!, 2011, Chandra et

al., 2012, Geraradi., 2003).

CO2 +4H2 CH4 +2H20 E2.8

2C2H50H + CO2 CH4 +2CH3COOH Eq 2.9

CH3COOH CH4 + CO2 .Eq 2.10

2.6 FACTORS AFFECTING THE YIELD OF BIOGAS

Carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio: Carbon (carbohydrate) and nitrogen (as protein, ammonium,

nitrates etc.) are the main food of anaerobic bacteria. If the C/N ratio is very high, nitrogen will

be consumed rapidly and the rate of reaction will be decreased. On the other hand if the C/N is
 8

low, nitrogen will be liberated and accumulated in the form of ammonia. The ammonia can kill

or inhibit the growth of bacteria especially methane producers.

Retention time: Retention time (also known as detention time) is the average period that a given

quantity of input remains in the digester to be acted upon by the methanogen. the higher the

temperature, the lower the retention time (Lagrange, 1979).

Temperature: The enzymatic activity of bacteria depend upon temperature, which is the main

factor for methane production. Bacteria work well at a temperature of 35°C to 38°C. When the

ambient temperature is 30°C or less, the average temperature within the dome remains about

40°C above the ambient (Lund, Andersen and tony-smith, 1996).

Loading rate: loading rate is the amount of raw materials fed per unit volume of digester

capacity per day. In Nepalese conditions, about 6 kg of dung per m3 volume of digester is

recommended in case of a cow dung plant (BSP, 1992).

2.7 TYPES OF BIOGAS PLANT/DIGESTER

Biogas/digester are classified based on the type of feed used. This includes,

Batch digester

In batch process, the substrate is put in the reactor at the early stage of the degradation

period and sealed for the complete retention time. When waste is first loaded hydrolysis

takes place and gas production is low forming only carbon dioxide. Methane production

increases during the acid forming stage. Retention time ranges from 30- 60 days. (Davis

&Cornwell 1998)

Continuous digester

In continuous process, fresh material is added continuously in the tank and an equal

amount of digested material is removed in an ongoing process. There are different stages
 9

of digestion throughout the batch process where as equilibrium is achieved in the

continuous process. (Davis &Cornwell 1998)

2.8 IMPORTANCE/USES OF DIGESTATE

Bad smells of biomass disappear: Bad smells come from volatile fatty acids. However, in the

process of biomethanization these molecules are decomposed. Nevertheless, to completely

eliminate odors, it is advisable to cover the storage tank.

Fertilizer: fertilizing value increases since the content of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), K

(potassium) content of the inputs js conserved.

It protects the environment: Using the digestate as a fertilizer for plants in agriculture, can

decrease the greenhouse gases. In fact, the greenhouse gases such as CO2 are used in biogas and

had been destroyed with its purification. Hence the digestate does not contains or contains few

quantity of greenhouse gases.

Plants are healthier: The pH of the digestate is greater than the pH in manure used for

plantations. That means that the pH is less acidic and more neutral. Hence, risk of harming plants

decreases.

Less expensive: The digestate produced by the methanization make the user save a lot of money

because it is a free organic fertilizer.

 10

2.9 DESCRIPTION OF WATER BYACINTH

Water hyacinth, eichhornia crassipe is a free-floating aquatic plant which grows up to three feet

in height. It has thick waxy, rounded, glossy leaves, which rise well above the water surface on

stalks. The leaves are broadly ovate to circular, 4 to 8 inches in diameter, with gently incurved

sides. It grows an erect thick stalk at the top of which is a single spike of several showy flowers.

The water hyacinth has special adaptations to allow it to grow and spread rapidly in freshwater.

They can withstand extremes of nutrient supply, pH level, temperature, and even grow in toxic

water. They grow best in still or slow moving water. The literature review indicated that water

hyacinths can be rich on C/N ratio up to 15%.the high protein content makes the water hyacinth

possible to use as fodder for cows, goat etc. water high due to its abundant growth and high

concentrations of nutrients, has a great potential for fertilizer according to

http ://www. sci encedi rect. corn.

Figure 2.1 picture of a water hyacinth

 11

Table 2.2 showing parameters of water hyacinth (http://www.researchgate.net)

Paraiiieters Results
Proximate Analysis
Moisture 86.1
Ash (Diy basis) 2.24
Volatile Mattcr(Diy basis) 7.59
Fixed carbon 4.07
CHN analysis (by weight)
Total carbon 223
Hydrogen 6.28
Nitrogen 1,14
 12

CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 MATERIALS

The raw materials used include fresh water hyacinth, cow dung, kitchen waste (rice, plantain

peels, banana peels), and water.

3.1.1 Procurement of the materials

The fresh water hyacinth was collected from the stream near Imo River in Abia State. Cow dung

was procured from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU) cattle farm while

kitchen waste was gotten from computer village in (MOUAU), 120 litres of digester was

constructed. The production process was carried out at biochemistry department in MOUAU.

3.1.2 Equipment! Apparatus used

The equipment used include:

Constructed digester; weighing balance, rubber hose, gasholder, bucket and funnel, PVC pipes,

soldering iron, hack saw, valves, aradant (epoxy resin), turning stick, tangit gum

wooden box for blow back mechanism, pipe wrench, measuring cylinder, gas chromatography,

telfon tape, putty, T-joint, clips, back nut, 1 bucket.

3.2 METHOD

120 litres of plastic container was used for the digester. It was provided with gas outlet, inlet for

feed, outlet for slurry and digestate. Two hole of diameter of 2cm and 5cm where drilled on top

of the plastic container one for gas outlet and the other inlet for feed. Another of diameter 4cm

was drilled at the bottom of the plastic container, proper reticulation was done using hose and

pipes, while aradant was used to make it air tight.

 13

Since all the waste generated from kitchen cannot be tested in the digester which is also one of

the limitations. Three of the materials were selected to be tested.

3.2.1 Basis of material selection

There are bases that are selected for the selection of kitchen wastes.

Volume: the volume of kitchen waste generated has been considered.

Kind àf wastes: Attempt has been made to cover all the types of kitchen wastes. Therefore a

kitchen waste from each category (crop and fruit) has been selected as feeding materials.

Among crops, rice is quite common food around us.

Among fruits, banana peel and plantain peel are considered for the study.

Table 3.1 Parameters of different feed materials

t
S/N Materials Kind

1 Rice Crop

2 Banana peel, plantain peel Fruit

Water hyacinth Vegetable

4 Cow dung Manure

The Table 3.1 shows where each material used for the production of biogas belong based on

classification of materials.
 14

Figure 3.1 locally made digester for the production of biogas.

 15

3.3 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES:

In the treatment A, the constituent ingredients were kitchen wastes, cow dung and water which

were mixed at the ratio of 5: 3: 8. In the treatment B, the constituent ingredient were kitchen

wastes, cow dung, water and water hyacinth which were mixed at the ratio of 5: 3: 8:2

Water displacement method was used, to determine the volume of biogas produced. The feed to

the digester was prepared by mixing 25kg of kitchen waste, 15kg cow dung and 40 kg of water.

For the first treatment (A). In the second treatment (B), 25kg of kitchen waste, 15kg cow dung

40kg of water and 10kg of water hyacinth were used. The mesophilic temperature of 25°C —

35°C was used.

Standard experimental procedures were used to measure different parameters such as pH value,

volume of biogas produced, and Analysis of the biogas.

pH value:

The pH of experiments was tested, it was measured using pH paper. The paper had the range

from I to 14 color coding.

3.3.1 Determination of the biogas characteristics

• The pH paper leaf was taken out of the stack of pH paper.

• The paper was dipped in the slurry.

S
 16

The color of the paper changed after 30seconds

The changed color was compared to the color code on the stack of the p1-I paper cover.

The corresponding reading of the color was noted and marked on the data sheet

Volume of the biogas

The volume of gas produced was determined by observing the quantity of water displaced from

the graduated cylinder into the gas collector. The biogas production was recorded at an interval

of three days for a period of 40 days.

Analysis of Biogas Collected

Gas analysis was carried out to know the composition of constituent in the produced biogas.

Biogas was collected in tubes. Constituents were separately tested using gas chromatography at

biochemistry department (MOUAU). As the name implies, gas chromatograph uses a carrier gas

in the separation, this plays the part of the mobile phase (Figure 3.2 (1)). The carrier gas

transports the sample molecules through the gas chromatograph system, ideally without reacting

with the sample or damaging the instrument components. The sample was first introduced into

the gas chromatograph, through an autosampler (Figure 3.2 (2)). The sample was injected into

the gas chromatograph inlet (Figure 3.2 (3)) through a septum which enables the injection of the

sample mixture without losing the mobile phase. Connected to the inlet was the analytical

column (Figure 3.2 (4)), a long (10 — 150 m), narrow (0.1 — 0.53 mm internal diameter) fused

silica or metal tube which contains the stationary phase coated on the inside walls. The analytical

column was held in the column oven which was heated during the analysis to elute the less

volatile components. The outlet .of the column was inserted into the detector (Figure 3.2 (5))

which responds to the chemical components eluting from the column to produce a signal. The
 17

signal is recorded by the acquisition software on a computer to produce a chromatogram (Figure

3.2 (6)).

autosampler
regulator traps
3

I detector

5
nlet chromatogram
gas 3
cylinder

6
column oven
Inert carrier gas Gas Chromatograph (GC) Computer
Mobile phase Stationary phase Data

Figure3.2 A simplified diagram of a gas chromatograph

(1) carrier gas, (2) autosampler, (3) inlet, (4) analytical column, (5) detector and (6) PC. Credit:

Anthias Consulting. Nitrogen was used as carrier gas.

 18

Figure 3.3 gas chromatography

 19

CHAPTER 4

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 RESULT

4.1.1 Volume of biogas produced result

The volume in milliliters of biogas produced was recorded every five days and tabulated

for the two treatments as shown in table 4.1

Table 4.1 Volume of biogas produced every with time.

Days Treatment A (cow dung+ Treatment B (cow dung +

kitchen waste+ water) kitchen waste + water +

(ml) water hyacinth)

(ml)

5 40 50

10 52 110

15 62 210

20 70 300

25 100 340

30 180 440

35 210 690

40 250 650

TOTAL 994 2790

 20

It was found that in treatment A the total volume produced within 4Odays is less when compared

to treatment B.

The effect of substrate on yield of biogas was investigated and the results show that addition of

water hyacinth increased the yield of biogas, And also the activator (water hyacinth) increased

the methane content.

vol. of biogas produced in ml

300

;1
250
0

.
200 -
0
f
150

b + vol. of bio.gas produced in ml

1.00 -
0
a
a
50
S
0
0 20 40 60
No of days

Figure 4.1 Graphical representation of the volume of biogas produced with

time for treatment A.

 21

vol. of biogas produced in ml

800
V
0 700
.
• 600
0
500

b 400
• • vol. of biogas produced in
0 300 ml
g
a 200
S

100
.

0 10 20 30 40 50
9 0
I Noof days
0

Figure 4.2 Graphical representation of the volume of biogas produced with time for

treatment B.
 22

4.1.2 Analysis of the biogas

Table 4.2 Results for analysis of the biogas using gas chromatography.

Treatment Methane Carbon dioxide

A 53.34 30

B 65.2 22.81

It can be seen that treatment A has 53.3% of methane and 30% of carbon dioxide while treatment

B has 65.2% of methane and 22.8% of carbon dioxide .it shows that water hyacinth is a good

activator.

4.3 Result for pH value

Table 4.3 Result for pH value

Days Treatment A Treatment B

0 5.8 6.0

5 6.0 6.1

10 6.2 6.3

15 6.3 6.4

20 6.4 6.6

25 6.5 6.8

30 6.7 6.9

35 7.0 7.2

40 7.1 6.9

t
 23

In anaerobic digestion process, pl-J is a very important parameter. The effect of different pH on

biogas production from cow dung and kitchen waste in an anaerobic with retention time of 40

days. The result showed that pH 7.1 made favorable condition for bacteria growth which result to

increase in the volume of biogas produced when compared to other pH values. Check table 4.1

you will see that on 40th day volume of biogas was 250m1, and that was when the pH was 7.1 so

from observation when the pH is at the neutral point the volume of biogas will be higher when

compare to other point.

4.4 mixing ratio of substrate

Table 4.4 Mixing ratio of substrates in the treatments.

Treatment CD KW W WH TW

(Kg) (Kg) (Kg) (Kg) (Kg)

A 15 25 40 80

B 15 25 40 10 90

CD = cow dung, KW = kitchen waste, W water, WH = water hyacinth, TW = total weight

In the treatment A the constituent ingredient KW, CD, and W were mixed at the ratio of 3:5:8. In

the treatment B, the substrates was KW, CD, W and WH and were mixed at the ratio of 3:5:8:2.
 24

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 CONCLUSION

A renewable energy (bio gas) has been produced using kitchen wastes, cow dung and water

hyacinth mixed at specified formulations. The locally anaerobic digester could serve as

alternative to foreign commercial products. Comparative analysis of the biogas produced in the

two treatments indicated that the average content of methane is 53.34% for treatment A and

65.2% for treatment B. Therefore this confirms that water hyacinth is a good activator for

production of biogas.

5.2 CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE

The production of biogas with certain percentage composition of methane has been previously

achieved using cow dung and kitchen waste. However, this study has improved the composition

of methane in locally produced bio gas using water hyacinth. This has opened up opportunity to

explore the raw material for such application.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

As a result of the outcomes in this study I recommend that producers explore opportunities for

anaerobic co-digestion to leverage existing biogas infrastructure to boot methane production for

energy and to generate additional revenue streams by diversion of waste away from landfill.

I
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REFERENCES

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