54 / 2023-05-10 19:55:11

Biogas production from broiler litter by the application of conditioning techniques

Biogas, Broiler litter, Methane, Poultry

Disposal and proper utilization of poultry solid waste in the form of litter is a global issue as it generates huge amounts of ammonia and causes global warming. Utilization of broiler litter for the production of biogas is one of the technologies which adds value to poultry waste while preserving the environment, however the process is challenging. Higher ammonia concentration, higher pH, lower carbon nitrogen ratio (C:N), non-degradable bedding materials and non-availability of methanogens are major problems associated with broiler litter which hinder biogas production. In this investigation, three biogas digesters with different pretreatments of broiler litter were done. In the first digester, no pretreatment was given to the litter and was kept as control (B₀); in the second digester, alkali pretreatment @ 0.1mol/L (B₁) was introduced while in the third digester, alkali pretreatment @ 0.2 mol/L (B₂) was done. The duration of pretreatment was 15 days following which filling was done using conditioning techniques in order to provide optimal conditions for biogas production. The duration of the experimental trial was three months during which different parameters related to biogas production were recorded. It was evident from the results that the highest biogas production and lowest HRT of 22 days was obtained from B₁. Also, the peak yield of biogas production was 0.064m³/kg with methane content ranging between 55-65%. It was also observed that environmental temperature had significant influence on the production of biogas. The study concluded that with optimal conditioning techniques it is possible to produce biogas using broiler litter as substrate at the farm level.