Godson Ogubuike Osueke
Federal University of Technology
Nigeria
Title: Design of biomass digester and performance analysis, using local raw materials
Biography
Biography: Godson Ogubuike Osueke
Abstract
This paper reports on the generation of biogas using cow dung. A 0.0413m3 plastic bio digester with a capacity of 50kg was designed, constructed, and used to obtain biogas from this waste. The waste was charged into the digester in a one to one ratio (1:1) with water, being 18.75kg of waste mixed with 18.75kg of water giving a total 37.5kg. The digestion of the slurry was undertaken in a batch operation. All of the parameters necessary for gas production like pH, temperature, total viable count (TVC) and gas volume were monitored and recorded. The waste started producing combustible gas five days after it was charged. The waste was kept in the digester for a retention time of 28days. The conditions within the digester suitable for the anaerobic microbes were under mesophllic temperatures (20-45oC). The waste started producing combustible gas five days after it was charged. The maximum volume of biogas obtained from the wastes was 7.1litres on the tenth day. The volume of gas produced throughout the digestion period was determined using the downward displacement of water technique. Changes in level of water from a predetermined reference level were observed in a transparent, inverted and calibrated bucket due to inflow of the biogas and were recorded on a daily basis. The cumulative gas production was 156.5litres on the twenty-eighth day, after which the experiment was terminated. This digester is therefore recommended for commercial production.