Biogas substrates performance ranking based on sustainability potential, biodegradability, and yield characterization: the case of an area in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The characteristics of biogas materials (BMs) and the preference for their bio-methane production effectiveness and efficiencies differ by geographical location and are currently an active discussion. This study assessed and ranked BMs based on their biogas production sustainability potential. BMs including Cow dung (CD), food waste (FW), poultry dung (PuD), and fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) were selected from an area in South-West Nigeria. Questionnaire responses on six sustainability criteria (𝐶𝑖) [Population, availability, non-competing substrate, acceptability, biodegradability, and yield] were collected for the selected BMs. The criteria preference weight (𝜔𝑖) was determined using AHP, while a part-subjective, part-objective method was employed to score the BMs based on the 𝐶𝑖. The Sustainability Ranking Model (SRM) was formulated to rank the BMs' sustainability performances. 𝜔𝑖 results showed that acceptability and non-competing substrate were the most and least preferred criteria while most to the least sustainable BMs were FW, CD, FVW, and PuD.