Biogas production using poultry wastes, yam and plantain peels

Abstract

Current global warming trends are primarily a result of the current energy reliance on fossil fuels and necessitate the provision of alternative sources of energy. Biofuels are one of the many alternatives to Hydrocarbon fuels. This research evaluates the potential of biogas production using poultry wastes, yam, and plantain peels in a ratio of 2:1:1. The organic waste materials were crushed using a sterile mortar and pestle. It was weighed and mixed with distilled water in a sterile bowl and loaded in a bioreactor for 45 days. The proximate analysis was carried out to determine the nutrient composition of the samples using standard procedures. Microbiological analysis was carried out using both general- purpose and differential media before and after loading the samples in the bioreactor. The pH and the temperature were monitored as well. A flame meter was used to compare the quality of the gas produced with that of cooking gas. The percentage moisture content obtained was 21.31, 28.71 and 23.17, % crude protein (6.17, 5.98 and 7.17), % ash content (7.9, 4.37, 12.13), % fat content (2.13, 1.14, 7.24), %crude fiber (19.94, 14.36, 36.89), % carbohydrate (42.53, 39.06 and 13.12) and the calories value of (213.09, 196.43 and 146.36) for plantain peels, yam peels and poultry waste respectively. Three fungal isolates and nine bacterial isolates were obtained. Produced biogas constituted of 310, 1352, and 2264 ppm of Liquified Petroleum Gas, Carbon (II) Oxide, and Smoke respectively. The biogas was observed to be highly flammable and burnt with a bluish flame.