The Production of Biogas from Cow Dung for Powering a Motor Vehicle Tyre Tube

Abstract

Biogas production from cow dung for powering a tyre tube was investigated, using a 20litre capacity prototype biogas digester, fabricated in the Lagos state university (LASU) research laboratory. The experiment was batch operated and daily gas yield from the digester was monitored for 21 days. The ambient and slurry temperatures, PH were also monitored. Two important aspects of the biogas itself is digester and starter. This Research aim to fabricate a digester that can be used to convert a cow dung into methane for powering a tyre tube and the objective to determine whether cow dung from ranch can produce methane. In this study a mini biogas digester fabricated and tested for organic waste, thirty-five (35) kg of the cow dung, water and starter was used. (The starter that used in this study is silica gel). The cow dung inserted into the digester through the inlet pipe, and kept for three weeks. The ratio of cow dung water is 1:2. The result obtained from the biogas production showed that methane has 67.9%. This result show that these waste could be a source of a renewable gas if managed properly since the waste sluggishly continued gas production after 21 days retention time.

Development of a Batch-Type Biogas Digester Using a Combination of Cow Dung, Swine Dung and Poultry Dropping

“…Although, Methanococcus maripaludis, among other hydrogenotrophic species is reported to possess a doubling time of only two hours [31]. Chemical reactions during methanogenesis can be summarized as in (1) and 2below:…”

“…Moreover, a continuous stirring of the digester content is vital in ensuring close contact between the microorganisms and substance which ultimately improves the digestion process. Agitation can be achieved by daily feeding of the digester instead of periodicals mixing to create the same effect [1] [4] [7]. All processes in anaerobic digestion do not require oxygen, and they are indeed very sensitive to the presence of oxygen, as the breakdown of organic materials in the presence of oxygen, will produce carbon-dioxide instead of the desired methane gas.…”

“…The rising cost of petroleum products is a serious problem facing most develop-International Journal of Clean Coal and Energy ing countries of the world including Nigeria. The extent of increase in industrialization and population has resulted in excessive energy demands from both rural and urban dwellers, raising the need for exploration of other natural sources of energy [1]. Hence, conversion of agricultural wastes into biogas could be leeway to solving some of these energy problems [2] [3].…”