Methane Generation From Cow Dung With The Aid of A
Methane Generation From Cow Dung With The Aid of A
Methane Generation From Cow Dung With The Aid of A
net/publication/326506437
Methane Generation from Cow Dung with the Aid of a Termitic Enzyme Using a
Locally Fabricated Bio-Digester
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Kayode H. Lasisi
Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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Abstract:
Energy is one of the most fundamental of human needs and it drives human life, and is extremely
crucial forcontinued human development. This paper presents the findings of a research that was carried
out to determine the generation of biogas from cow dung using a low cost fabricated bio-digester. A
cylindrical drum of capacity 100 litres was used as bio-digester and fed with 40 kg of cow dung mixed
with warm water in proportions of 2:1. Also, calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) was incorporated into the
experiment to remove the carbon(iv)oxide from the biogas produced and termitic enzymes solution to
acceleratethe biogas yield. Results from this study shows that the digestion of cow dung resulted in an
appreciable biogas yield. Comparing this result with sample of cow dung mixed with warm water in the
ratio 1:1 and taking into account the natural state of the waste when collected for experiment, it is of
considerable range when compared with the standard values. Ultimately, digestion of cow dung is one
way of addressing the problem of insufficient energy supply in developing countries.
anaerobic bacteria break down organic matter Termites are a large and diverse group of insects
producing methane and carbon dioxide. Several consisting of over 2600 species worldwide. With
other methods of dealing with organic wastes exist, over 664 species (Wanyonyiet al. 1984), Africa is
including aerobicdigestion, direct application to by far the richest continent in termite diversity
land and combustion. These methods either utilize (Eggleton 2000). Methane is produced in termites
the available biomass as a fertilizer or a fuel, but as part of their normal digestive process.
not both as is the case with anaerobic digestion. Methanogenic (Methane producing) bacteria are
found abundant in the guts of termites.They are
Biogas is a gas produced by anaerobic digestion (in source of bio-fuel (methane gas) which is a
the absence of oxygen) of organic material, largely renewable and sustainable source of energy
comprised of methane (about two-thirds). Biogas is (Akinmusereet al., 2017).
often called "marsh gas" or "swamp gas" because it
is produced by the same anaerobic processes that A biogas production system must be specially
occur during the underwater decomposition of designed and requires regular attention by someone
organic material in wetlands (IBA, 2016) Biogas familiar with the needs and operation of the
originates from bacteria in the process of bio- digester. Associated manure handling equipment
degradation of organic material under anaerobic and gas utilization components are also required.
(without air) conditions. Biogas is a colourless, The digester does not remove significant nutrients
flammable gas produced via anaerobic digestion of and requires environmentally responsible manure
animal, plant, human, industrial and municipal storage and handling system. A well designed and
wastes amongst others, to give mainly methane operated digester will require modest daily
(50-70%), carbon dioxide (2040%) and traces of attention and maintenance. The care and feeding of
other gases such as nitrogen, hydrogen, ammonia, a digester is not unlike feeding a cow or a pig, it
hydrogen sulphide, water vapour etc. It is responds best to consistent feeding and the
smokeless, hygienic and more convenient to use appropriate environmental for temperature and
than other solid fuels (Maishanuet al., 1990).The anaerobic- oxygen free conditions. The earlier a
natural generation of biogas is an important part of problem in operation is identified, the easier it is to
the biogeochemical carbon cycle. Methanogens fix and still maintain productivity (Corral and
(methane producing bacteria) are the last link in a Argelia, 2007). This paper therefore aims at
chain of micro-organisms which degrade organic generating methane gas from cow dung with the
material and return the decomposition products to aid of a termitic enzyme using a locally fabricated
the environment. In this process biogas is bio-digester.
generated, a source of renewable energy
(Energypedia, 2016). Justification of the Study
The use of fossil fuels as primary energy source has
Raw materials for biogas fermentation such as cow led to global climate change, environmental
dung, poultry waste, water hyacinth, straw, weeds, degradation and human health problems
leaf, human and animal excrement, domestic (Adeniranet al., 2014). In developing countries like
rubbish and industrial solid and liquid wastes are Nigeria, Libya, Ghana etc. which rely on fossil
easily available. Biogas production systems have fuels as their main energy source, with time the
several benefits, such as eliminating greenhouse crude oil which was discovered at a particular point
gas, reduction of odor, betterment of fertilizer and in time may eventually come to an end
production of heat and power. Usually efficiency of unexpectedly. Therefore, an alternative means of
biogas plant varies with the type of digester, the generating energy is imperative so as not to put all
operating conditions, and the type of material one’s egg in one basket as a nation as it has been
loaded into the digester. established that renewable energy resourcesappear
to be one of the efficient solutions to the problems
resulting from theuse of fossil fuels (Hankisham
and Sung, 2003). A significant body of research disc, washer, thermometer, bowl and bucket,
that has been published both formally and recently stirrer, motorcycle rubber tyre tube, iron clips, steel
discussed largely on biogas production from tape, measuring cylinder, boiler, spatula, beaker,
different animal wastes either as a sole waste or as gas cylinder. Waste and chemical used are Cow
a co-digestion with other wastes among which cow dung, Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH)2, Distilled water
wastes took quite a great portion. Ofoefule et al. and Tap water.
(2010) in his research on biogas production from
paper waste and its blend with cow dung observed Experimental Procedures
that blending the paper waste with cow dung or any The bio-digester was initially constructed with the
other animal waste give sustained gas flammability following components namely digestion chamber,
throughout the digestion period of the waste. slurry inlet and outlet, gas outlet and cover and
Godiet al. (2012) who worked on the effect of cow stirrer.
dung variety on biogas production concluded that Each of these components as constructed can be
from the varieties of cow dung used, the White seen in Plate 1 to Plate 4.
Fulani, a predominant variety in Nigeria and the
West-African sub-region has the highest percentage
of biogas. He further opined that the methane from
this breed can be used to ameliorate the energy
crisis, improve standard of living, generate
employment and reduce incidences of deforestation
in developing countries. It has also been reported
that cow dung coming from a rumen animal is
known to contain the native microbial flora that
aids in faster biogas production and it is a very
good starter for poor producing feedstock’s
(Misiand Forster, 2001, Yadvikaet al., 2004,
Ofoefule et al., 2010). All these therefore leaves
room for more research to be done on biogas Plate 1: The Digestion Chamber
production using cow dung with an accelerated
enzymes gotten from termites to improve biogas
yield as applied in this research.
Methodology
This research was a laboratory based work; hence,
majority of the facilities in the water and
environmental laboratory of the Federal University
of Technology, Akure, Nigeria were utilized.At the
inception of this research, local materials used in
fabricating the bio-digester were procured from the
Oba’s market in Akure. The materials acquired for
the bio-digester are 100litres drum, two 2½ inches
adaptors, half-length of 2½ inches pipe, one length
of ¾inch pipe, control valves of different sizes, a
white keg, uPVCAbro gum and a silicon
sealant(Doctor fix), gas hose and 45º angle elbows. Plate 2: The Slurry Inlet and the Outlet
Other tools and apparatus used are hacksaw,
soldering iron, steel rod, bolts and nuts, grinding
which serves as the outlet was connected to the keg times. The results are presented and discussed in
from the conical flask, the hose being held fixed Figures 1 to 5.
with a candle wax to prevent leakages. The
calibrated keg was allowed to rest with its side and During the fermentation period (i.e. when the dung
the gas was collected via the upwarddelivery gas was allowed to decompose) after feeding the bio-
method. Finally, a gas hose was connected to the digester, no biogas was produced. The fermentation
cylinder gas jar from the calibrated keg (Plates 5 period takes twenty days which seems long. This
and 6). definitely can be explained by the feeding
composition of cow because cows feed mainly on
fibrous material which takes a longer time to break
down by micro-organisms. This finding is in
conformity to that, from the works of Babatola
(2008) in Akure, and Ukpai and Nnabuchi (2012)
in Abakaliki, both in Nigeria. Also, Ozoret al.
(2014) agreed to their observations.
The plots of the cumulative change in methane
produced against the number of days and the
biogas produced for each day against the number of
days are presented in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
800
Volume of Methane
600
Results and Discussion 400
The experimental set-up was for 65 days. The
temperatures of both the bio-digester placed at the 200
back of the laboratory and the laboratory room 0
were taken everyday and their averages were
calculated. Also, noticeable changes in the biogas 0 5 10 15 20
produced were recorded every 15 days afterthe Number of Days
initial fermentation period of 20 days for three
Figure 2: Plot of Methane Gas Generated for the reduction of organic matter for temperatures
Second 15 Days after Fermentation ranging between 20ᵒC and 30ᵒC while for Figure 5,
the temperature change are characterised by three
thermal zones of microbial activity, namely,
psychrophilic, mesophilic, and the thermophilic.
Reactions rates are slowest in the psychrophilic
zone and turn out to be the highest in the
800 thermophiliczone. Conversely, digestion stability is
Methane Produced (ml)