Design, Development and Lvaluation ol Biogas Plant using

Donkey-dung and Selected Biomaterials as Ieedstock

Kannan, Ncn-member
J Curuswamy, Ie//cu
V Kumar, Ncn-member
An tn.esttgattcn uas undertaken tn tuc stages tc e.a/uate tbe cbaractertsttcs c/ tbree /eed materta/s name/y, pcu/try
drcpptngs, partbentum and euca/yptus /ea.es and tc cpttmtse tbese /eed materta/s uttb dcnkey-dung ccmbtnattcn /cr
quanttty and qua/tty c/ btcgas prcducttcn. In tbe /trst stage c/ tn.esttgattcn, tbe prctctype dtgesters c/ 75 /ttre capactty
c/ tbree dt//erent betgbt tc dtameter rattcs c/ 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1.7 uere /abrtcated and /ed uttb abc.e /eed materta/s tn
3:1 prcpcrttcn (dcnkey-dung: substrate and ccmpared uttb 100 dcnkey-dung as ccntrc/ /cr a retenttcn pertcd c/ 5o
days under batcb /ed system. Tbe resu/ts tndtcated tbat, pcu/try drcpptngs and dcnkey-dung ccmbtnattcn prcduced a
tcta/ gas prcducttcn c/ 400.o1 /, 350.99 / and 320.35 /, tn 1:1.7, 1:1, and 1:0.5 stze (HD rattc dtgesters, respectt.e/y.
Wbt/e, a tcta/ gas prcducttcn c/ 242.57 /, 232.o8 / and 21o.39 / tn partbentum and dcnkey-dung ccmbtnattcn and
242.57 /, 232.o8 / and 21o.39 / tn euca/yptus /ea.es and dcnkey-dung ccmbtnattcn uere reccrded tn 1:1.7, 1:1 and 1:0.5
stze (HD rattc dtgesters, respectt.e/y. In case c/ ccntrc/ treatment c/ 100 dcnkey-dung tbese .a/ues uere 2o1.11 /,
244.47 / and 233.10 / respectt.e/y. Tbe a.erage metbane ccntent tn tbe btcgas prcduced /rcm pcu/try drcpptngs and
dcnkey-dung ccmbtnattcn uere 58.13, 49.o1 and 54.28 tn 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1.7 stze (HD rattc dtgesters, respec-
tt.e/y. Tbe ccrrespcndtng .a/ues tn tbe btcgas prcduced /rcm partbentum and dcnkey dung ccmbtnattcn uere 43.95,
43.35 and 44.88 and tn euca/yptus and dcnkey-dung ccmbtnattcn, tbese .a/ues uere 43.o0, 48.70 and 51.o9,
respectt.e/y. In tbe seccnd stage c/ tn.esttgattcn, a pt/ct stze //cattng drum type btcgas p/ant c/ 0.5 m
3
capactty uas
destgned, de.e/cped and e.a/uated /cr cpttmtsed /eedstcck c/ pcu/try drcpptngs and dcnkey-dung ccmbtnattcn tn 3:1
prcpcrttcn /cr quanttty and qua/tty c/ btcgas prcducttcn /cr retenttcn pertcd c/ 7 ueeks. Tbe resu/ts re.ea/ed tbat, a
tcta/ gas prcducttcn c/ 9341.2 / uttb a.erage metbane ccntent c/ o1.52 uas reccrded at tbe end c/ retenttcn pertcd,
Nttrcgen, pbcspbcrcus and pctasstum .a/ues c/ 2.43, 0.85 and 0.72 uere reccrded tn tbe dtgested s/urry durtng 42
days c/ retenttcn pertcd.
Keyuords: Poultry droppings, PartLenium, Lucalyptus, Biogas plant
Vc/ 84, june 2003 1/
JLis paper (redralted) was received on Cctober, 8, 2002. Written discussion on
tLis paper will be received until August 31, 2003.
8D : bulk density ol cLarge, kg/m
3
D : inside diamter ol tLe digester, m
b
1
: LeigLt ol cylindrical portion ol gas Lolder, m
b
2
: LeigLt ol conical portion ol gas Lolder, m
H : LeigLt (deptL) ol tLe digester, m
HRJ : Lydraulic retention period, days
r
1
: inside radius ol gas Lolder, m
V
C
: volume ol daily cLarge, m
3
V
Ct
: volume ol cylindrical portion ol gas Lolder, m
3
V
Cc
: volume ol conical portion ol gas Lolder, m
3
V
D
: digester volume, m
3
V
T
: total volume ol gas Lolder, m
3
W : weigLt ol (dung water), kg
Lnergy is one ol tLe prerequisites lor tLe growtL ol agriculture
and industry. JLe energy requirements are met mainly
tLrougL commercial energy sources like oil, natural gas etc. In
recent years, tLe prices ol tLese commercial energy sources
Lave increased sLarply and tLere is a continuous depletion ol
tLese scarce resources. Hence, tLere is an urgent need to
develop and exploit tLe alternate sources ol energy. Biogas is
one ol tLe good and promising sources ol alternate energy.
JLis energy can be Larnessed successlully to meet tLe existing
as well as luture needs ol tLe rural areas. Biogas is tLe lourtL
largest source ol energy in tLe world supplying about 13 %
(55 L]/yr), wLicL is equivalent to 25 million barrels ol
primary energy (Mittal, 199/). India Las tLe largest population
ol livestock ol over 300 million, wLicL produce about 980
million tonnes ol cattle dung. Il tLe entire quantity ol available
dung is used lor biometLanation, it could generate nearly
/0.22 C] ol energy annually
1
. early /0% ol Indian larmers
own 2 animals to 3 animals per LouseLold. Il tLis category ol
larmers intend to own a biogas plant, tLe required quantity ol
dung transler can not be met on tLeir own larmsteads. Jo
meet tLis demand, tLere is a need to searcL lor an alternate
leedstock as supplement to cattle dung. JLe commonly grown
18 IL (I jcurna/-AC
weeds on tLe larm and crop residues, wLicL are not suitable
lor cattle leed are generally lelt in tLe lield as waste or burnt in
tLe lield itsell. JLe biomass lrom sucL wastes could produce
energy equivalent to 15 k]/g tLrougL combustion. However,
il tLe same is used lor biometLanation process, it could
produce nearly 150 k]/g ol energy
2
.
Hill
3
conducted an experiment on anaerobic digestion ol
poultry droppings at 35

C lor a retention period ol 30 days

and reported tLat tLe gas production was 0.36 m
3
/kg ol
volatile solids added. Cunaseelan
+
conducted studies on biogas
production using partLenium as an additive witL cattle dung at
10% and reported tLat tLe metLane content ol gas varied lrom
60% to /0% lor a retention period ol 8 weeks. In India, tLere
are about 1.5 million donkeys, wLicL constitute about 3.38%
ol tLe world`s donkey population. Karnataka accounts lor
5.2% ol donkey population in India. JLe use ol donkeys lor
lield operations like plougLing, Larrowing, sowing and inter-
cultivation, lor operating processing equipments like cLall
cutter, groundnut decorticator, maize sLellers tLrougL rotary
mode ol operation, pumping water lrom sLallow water table
ol 2 m to 3 m deptL and lor Lauling steel carts lor
transportation Lave been reported (Anonymous, 1996). WLile
tLe inlormation on utility ol donkeys lor otLer purposes Lave
been not reported.
Hence, tLere is a need to evaluate tLe utility ol donkey-dung as
a source lor biogas production. JLe inlormation on use ol
donkey-dung lor biogas production eitLer alone or in
combination witL otLer substrates is not available in
ortLern Karnataka. Keeping tLe above lacts in view, tLe
present study was undertaken to develop and evaluate a biogas
plant using donkey-dung and selected biomaterials as
leedstock.
JLe leed stock materials namely, donkey-dung, poultry
droppings, partLenium and eucalyptus leaves were selected
and tLeir perlormance was evaluated in tLree dillerent sized
digesters ol 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1./ H/D ratio as suggested by
AcLarya
5
to optimize tLese leed stocks witL donkey-dung
combination lor quantity and quality ol biogas production at
3:1 proportion lor a retention period ol 56 days under batcL
led system.
JLe dillerent treatments selected lor tLe study are given in
Jable 1.
JLe above tLree leed materials namely, poultry droppings,
partLenium and eucalyptus leaves were mixed witL donkey-
dung in 3:1 proportion, te, tLree parts ol donkey-dung and one
part ol substrate on wet basis. JLe leed material combination
used in tLis study are as under:
1. /5% donkey-dung 25% poultry droppings
2. /5% donkey-dung 25% partLenium
3. /5% donkey-dung 25% eucalyptus leaves
+. 100% donkey-dung (control)
A cylindrical sLaped /5 l capacity digester was cLosen lor
leeding eacL substrate witL donkey-dung in 3:1 proportion
and 100% donkey-dung as control. JLe dimensions ol
digesters namely, LeigLt and diameter were determined using
standard lormula. Jwelve prototype digesters were labricated
according to tLe design dimensions as explained Lere.
As per tLe calculated dimensions, a MS sLeet ol 18 gauge was
cut and lolded into a cylindrical sLape using a Land operated
sLeet bending macLine A 65 mm diameter Lole was drilled at
tLe top ol tLe drum lor leeding tLe leed material and a suitable
CI collar was litted. AnotLer Lole ol 6.2 mm diameter was
drilled to lix an outlet pipe in order to draw tLe gas. A suitable
CI bend was lixed at tLe outlet ol tLe digester witL a control
valve lor regulating gas.
Initially, an inoculum ol about 25 ml ol biogas spent slurry
was added to tLe substrates in all tLe tLree digesters to initiate
biogas production. JLe substrates prepared in tLe above
proportion were lilled in tLe digesters and kept outside tLe
laboratory lor biogas production lor a retention period ol
56 days.
JLe dillerent pLysico-cLemical properties like moisture
content, total solids, volatile solids, bulk density, pH, carbon
content, nitrogen content ol leed materials belore and alter
digestion were analysed using standard procedures.
JLe volume ol gas produced in eacL prototype digester was
measured using a wet type gas llow meter. Initially, tLe gas
llow meter was lilled witL distilled water to tLe indicated
level. A 6.2 mm diameter pipe was connected to draw tLe gas
1 Donkey-dung PartLenium 1.0:0.5
2 Donkey-dung PartLenium 1.0:1.0
3 Donkey-dung PartLenium 1.0:1./
+ Donkey-dung Lucalyptus leaves 1.0:0.5
5 Donkey-dung Lucalyptus leaves 1.0:1.0
6 Donkey-dung Lucalyptus leaves 1.0:1./
/ Donkey-dung Poultry droppings 1.0:0.5
8 Donkey-dung Poultry droppings 1.0:1.0
9 Dunkey dung Poultry droppings 1.0:1./
10 Control (100% Donkey-dung) 1.0:0.5
11 Control (100% Donkey-dung) 1.0:1.0
12 Control (100% Donkey-dung) 1.0:1./
Vc/ 84, june 2003 19
lrom prototype digester to gas llow meter. JLe amount ol gas
produced in 2+ L was measured daily lrom all tLe digesters up
to 56 day.
JLe percentage ol metLane content and carbondioxide in tLe
biogas produced under dillerent treatments was measured
using Crsat apparatus. JLe procedure used lor quality analysis
ol gas is explained below:
JLe gas produced lrom tLe prototype digesters was lilled in
tLe bladder (balloon). JLen tLe bladder was connected to tLe
main tube ol tLe Crsat apparatus. Initially, all tLe lour knobs
provided in tLe apparatus tubes were closed. Alterwards, tLe
tLree way knob provided lor entry ol gas was opened and tLe
gas was allowed to enter tLe main tube and tLen into tLe
graduated burette. Alter setting to zero, tLe knob provided to
tLe tube lilled witL 2% boric acid was opened and tLe bottle
was moved up and down lor about 10 times to 12 times so tLat
tLe water pusLed tLe gas into tLe tube and agitated properly.
During tLis process, tLe boric acid absorbed tLe ammonical
nitrogen content present in tLe biogas generated. Again, tLe
bottle was placed to its original position and tLe rise in tLe
water level in tLe burette was recorded. JLis rise indicated tLe
amount ol ammonia present in tLe biogas. Similar procedure
was lollowed by opening tLe knob ol aCH (10%) tube and
noting tLe rise in tLe water level tLat gave tLe amount ol
carbondioxide preset in tLe sample collected in tLe bladder.
JLe remaining empty space above tLe water level alter
completion ol tLe above two processes gave tLe metLane
content ol biogas.
JLe leed stock combination wLicL gave tLe optimum biogas
production witL better quality ol biogas was identilied and
evaluated lor quantity and quality ol biogas generation in
0.5 m
3
capacity lloating drum type biogas plant.
JLe 0.5 m
3
capacity lloating drum type biogas was designed to
meet tLe cooking requirement ol a lamily consisting ol two
adults and one cLild. According to Rai
6
tLe gas requirement
lor cooking per adult per day is 0.22 m
3
. Hence, tLe gas
requirement per day lor tLe above said lamily worked out to
be 0.22 2 0.11 - 0.55 m
3
/day. It was assumed tLat a single
donkey and a single poultry bird could produce about 10 kg
dung and 0.18 kg poultry litter per day, respectively, (Rai
6
).
Ior generating 0.5 m
3
gas per day, a pair ol donkeys and 20
poultry birds were considered. In order to make donkey-dung
and poultry droppings combination in 3:1 proportion, 11.+ kg
ol donkey-dung and 3.8 kg ol poultry droppings were mixed
lor leeding tLe biogas plant daily to produce 0.5 m
3
gas. JLe
Lydraulic retention period ol +2 days was considered.
JLe size ol tLe digester was calculated using tLe lollowing
lormula:
V V
D C
= HRJ (1)
V
W
8D
C
=
(2)
JLe LeigLt ol digester was calculated using tLe lollowing
lormula:
V D H
D
=

+
2
(3)
Most ol tLe lloating drum type biogas plants Lave cylindrical
sLaped gas Lolder (Rai
6
). Accordingly, cylindrical sLaped
drum witL conical dome was selected as gas Lolder lor
collecting tLe gas. JLe gas Lolder was designed lor /5% ol
volume required lor daily gas production. Hence, tLe volume
ol tLe gas to be collected by tLe gas Lolder worked out to be as
0.5 0./5 - 0.3/5 m
3
/day. A clearance ol /.5 cm was
provided on botL tLe sides ol gas Lolder as well as lilting ol gas
lilting ol gas Lolder wLenever desired.
JLe total volume ol tLe gas Lolder, was calculated using tLe
lollowing lormula.
V V V
T Ct Cc
= (+)
wLere
V r b
Ct
=
1
2
1
and
V r b
Cc
=
1
3
1
2
1

JLe site selected lor conducting lield study was non-rocky

area witL very low water table. JLe soil was deep black soil
wLicL mainly consisted ol montmorillinite clay wLicL
sLrinks during summer wLen dried and swells during rainy
season. Because ol tLese properties, tLe digester constructed
witL bricks is likely to crack and reduce tLe lile span ol tLe
plant. Jo overcome tLese problems, pre-cast lerro-cement
rings were used lor construction ol digester well.
Initially tLe ground was cleaned and made lree ol weeds,
stones, etc. A circle ol 1.8 m diameter was marked on tLe
ground using lime powder. JLe soil was dug up to a deptL ol
2.2 m till tLe Lard pan ol soil was noticed. A 15 cm tLick
cement concrete bed using 1:3.6 proportion was laid out.
Seven pre-cast lerro-cement concrete rings ol 1.2 m diameter
and 6.3 m LeigLt were placed one over tLe otLer on tLe
prepared concrete bed. JLe gap between tLe rings was sealed
properly using 1:6 cement mortar. A pre-cast cement pipe ol
10 cm diameter and 3 m lengtL was inserted in tLe digester at
+5

as inlet pipe at a LeigLt ol +5 cm lrom tLe bottom ol tLe

digester.
A cylindrical sLaped tank was constructed using lerro-cement
concrete rings as inlet tank. A 60 cm diameter circle was
marked on tLe ground and tLe soil was dug up to a deptL
ol 30 cm. Iive pre-cast lerro-cement concrete rings ol +5 cm
diameter and 30 cm LeigLt were placed one over otLer. Inlet
pipe was installed at 65 cm LeigLt lrom tLe ground level.
20 IL (I jcurna/-AC
An empty drum ol 1/0 l (50 cm diameter and 85 cm LeigLt)
coated witL aspLalt was selected lor outlet and erected at
30 cm distance lrom tLe digester well. Initially, a circle ol
/5 cm diameter was marked and tLe soil was dug up to one
meter and tLe bottom portion was lilled witL coarse murrum
to a tLickness ol 15 cm. Jwo Loles ol 5 cm diameter were
drilled at one side ol tLe drum. Jo tLese Loles, two pre-cast
cement pipes ol 5 cm diameter and 30 cm lengtL were lixed at
a LeigLt ol 35 cm and 65 cm lrom tLe bottom ol tLe outlet
tank, respectively lor collecting tLe digested slurry lor
retention period ol 28 days and 35 days, respectively. An
outlet pipe ol 5 cm diameter and 30 cm lengtL was installed at
12 cm above tLe outlet tank lor collection ol slurry at tLe end
ol +2 days ol retention period.
A cylindrical drum witL a conical sLaped dome was selected
lor gas Lolder. A 18 gauge MS sLeet ol 1.2 m widtL and 3 m
lengtL was cut and lolded into cylindrical sLape using Land
operated sLeet bending macLine and welded carelully. MS
sLeet ol 18 gauge was cut lor making conical sLaped dome
Laving base ol 1.2 m diameter. An arc ol 35 cm lengtL was cut
lrom tLis sLeet. JLe remaining portion ol tLe circle was bent
into conical sLape and welded and tLis conical portion was
placed over cylindrical portion ol tLe gas Lolder and
welded. At tLe centre, a pipe ol 3 cm diameter and 60 cm
lengtL was welded inside tLe gas Lolder to act as guiding pipe.
A 2.5 cm diameter Lole was drilled at tLe upper side ol tLe
drum to wLicL a 2.5 cm diameter bend and a PVC control
valve ol 2.5 cm diameter were lixed or regulating tLe llow ol
gas.
JLe donkey-dung and poultry droppings were mixed in
3:1 proportion (/5% donkey-dung and 25% poultry droppings)
on weigLt basis. Initially, tLe digester was lilled witL tLis
combination up to /5% ol its volume. In order to acLieve tLis
level, 33/ kg ol donkey-dung and 112 kg ol poultry droppings
were collected and mixed tLorougLly by adding 1+1/ l mixed
ol water lor maintaining tLe total solids in tLe slurry up to
10%. JLe digester was cLarged by adding inoculum ol 6% ol
digester volume in tLe lorm ol digested slurry. JLe calculated
quantity ol slurry (donkey-dung and poultry droppings in 3:1
proportion) was led into tLe digester, daily lor a retention
period ol +2 days. JLe gas started generating lrom tLird week.
JLe quantity and quality ol gas generated were measured using
standard procedure as explained earlier.
JLe total nitrogen content ol tLe digested slurry was analysed
using MicrokjeldLal metLod as suggested by MaLimairaja
/
, et a/.
JLe pLospLorous and potassium contents ol tLe digested
slurry were analysed using standard procedure as suggested by
]ackson
8
. In order to optimise tLe retention period, tLree
retention times ol 28 days, 35 days and +2 days were
considered to analyse tLe quality ol digested slurry.
JLe results pertaining to tLe perlormance ol tLree leedback
materials namely, poultry droppings, partLenium and
eucalyptus leaves in combination witL donkey-dung in 3:1
proportion in tLree dillerent sized prototype digesters are
presented below.
JLe dillerent pLysico-cLemical properties ol leed materials
belore digestion are presented in Jable 2.
Irom tLe Jable 2, it was observed tLat poultry droppings Las
got LigLer nitrogen content (5.9%) and lavourable pH (/.01) as
compared partLenium (3.1% and 6.8 pH) eucalyptus leaves
(2.39% and +.5/ pH).
JLe dillerent pLysico-cLemical properties ol leed materials
alter digestion are presented in Jable 3.
It was observed tLat tLe poultry droppings and donkey-dung
combination sLowed optimum total solids content ol 8.5%
wLicL is suitable lor biogas production.
Poultry
droppings 65.25 3+./5 /6.26 695.6 /.01 +5.20 5.90 /.93
PartLenium 83.55 16.+5 /2.69 5/3.3 6.83 33.30 3.10 10./+
Lucalyptus
leaves 52.30 +/./0 85.63 61/.+ +.5/ 55.30 2.39 23.1+
Donkey-
dung 51.55 +8.+5 /2.1+ 896.5 6.9/ +8.30 1.85 26.11
Donkey-dung
Poultry droppings 8.50 62.20 5.5+ 32.8/ 2.+6 13.36
Donkey-dung
PartLenium 1+.+0 6+.30 5.93 3/.86 2.21 1/.13
Donkey-dung
Lucalyptus leaves 16./0 6/.90 5.15 +3.0+ 2.1+ 20.11
Donkey-dung alone 8.10 63.50 5./8 35.06 2.05 1/.10
Vc/ 84, june 2003 21
JLe results ol weekly and cumulative gas production lrom
poultry droppings and donkey-dung combination in tLree
dillerent sized digesters is presented in Iigure 1.
It was observed tLat tLe cumulative gas production was
maximum (+00.61 l) in 1:1./ H/D ratio digester lollowed by
1:1 size digester (350.99 l) and 1:0.5 size digester (320.35 l) at
tLe end ol retention period ol 56 days. JLis may be due to
relatively lower pressure acting on tLe microbes. JLe weekly
gas production lluctuated maximum lrom lirst to liltL week
and tLerealter it decreased gradually till tLe retention period
ol 8 weeks in all tLe tLree digesters.
JLe results ol weekly and cumulative gas production lrom
partLenium and donkey-dung combination in tLree dillerent
sized digesters are presented in Iigure 2.
A maximum cumulative gas production ol 2+2.5/ l was
observed in 1:1./ H/D ratio digester lollowed by 1:1 size
digester (232.68 l) and 1:0.5 size digester (216.39 l) at tLe end ol
retention period ol 56 days. JLis may be due to relatively
lower pressure acting on tLe microbes by larger diameter
digester. JLe weekly gas production tended to increase up to
liltL week and tLerealter it decreased gradually till tLe
retention period ol 8 weeks in all tLe tLree digesters.
JLe results ol weekly and cumulative gas production lrom
eucalyptus and donkey-dung combination in tLree dillerent
sized digesters are presented in Iigure 3.
It was observed tLat 1:1./ H/D ratio recorded tLe maximum
cumulative gas production (25+.61 l) lollowed by 1.1 size
digester (230./1 l) and 1:.05 size digester (21/.96 l) at tLe end ol
retention period ol 56 days. JLe low pressure acted upon tLe
microbes in 1:1./ sized digester led to LigLer gas production. It
was observed tLat tLe weekly gas production tended to
increase up to lourtL week and tLerealter it decreased till tLe
end ol retention period ol 8 weeks in all tLe tLree digesters.
JLe results ol weekly and cumulative gas production lrom
donkey-dung alone in tLree dillerent sized digesters are
presented in Iigure +.
A maximum cumulative gas production ol 261.11 l was
recorded in 1:1./ H/D ratio digester lollowed by 1:1 size
digester (2++.+/ l) and 1:0.5 size digester (233.10 l) at tLe end ol
retention period ol 56 days. JLe weekly gas production
lluctuated marginally lrom lirst to liltL week and tLerealter it
decreased gradually till tLe retention period ol 8 weeks in all
tLe tLree digesters.
22 IL (I jcurna/-AC
Among tLree leedstocks in tLree dillerent sized digesters, tLe
combination ol poultry droppings and donkey-dung in 3:1
proportion gave maximum gas production (+00.61 l) compared
to otLer two leedstock combinations, te, partLenium and
donkey-dung combination (2+2.5/) and eucalyptus leaves and
donkey-dung combination (25+.61). JLis may be due to LigLer
nitrogen content (5.9%) and lavourable pH ol /.01 in poultry
droppings as compared to otLer two leedstock namely,
partLenium (3.1% and 6.8 pH) and eucalyptus leaves (2.39%
and +.5/pH) as given in Jable 2.
JLe percentage ol metLane content in tLe gas generated
increased gradually lrom lirst week to sixtL and tLerealter it
decreased gradually till tLe retention period ol 8 weeks. JLis
trend was observed in all tLe tLree substrates and in tLe
control treatment ol donkey-dung alone. JLe average metLane
content ol 58.13%, +9.61% and 5+.28% were recorded in tLe
gas generated lrom poultry droppings and donkey dung
combination in 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1./ sized digesters, respectively
lor tLe entire period ol 56 days. In case ol partLenium and
donkey-dung combination, tLe average metLane contents ol
+3.95%, +3.35% and ++.88% were recorded, wLile in tLe gas
produced lrom eucalyptus leaves and donkey-dung
combination tLese values were +3.60%, +8./0% and 51.69%,
respectively in 1:0.5, 1:1 an 1:1./ sized digesters lor tLe entire
period ol 8 weeks. An average metLane content ol +/.++%,
+6.21% and +/./8% were recorded in tLe gas generated lrom
donkey-dung alone in 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1./ sized digesters,
respectively.
JLe analysis ol gas production indicated tLat, tLe average
metLane content was maximum in poultry droppings and
donkey-dung combination over otLer leedstock combination.
JLis may be due to tLe optimum total solids ol 8.5% in
poultry droppings and donkey dung combination (Jable 3).
JLe results pertaining to tLe perlormance ol poultry
droppings and donkey-dung combination at 3:1 proportion in
pilot size biogas plant are presented below.
JLe results ol weekly and cumulative gas produced lrom
poultry droppings and donkey dung combination in 0.5m
3
capacity lloating drum type biogas plant are presented in
Iigure 5.
It was observed tLat, a maximum ol 2++3.6 l ol gas was
produced during liltL week ol retention period lollowed by
lourtL week (2+00 l), sixtL week (239/.+ l) and a minimum ol
2011.+ l during tLe seventL week. JLe results indicated tLat
tLe gas production increased gradually up to liltL week and
tLerealter it decreased gradually till tLe end ol retention
period ol +2 days.
Cas constituents ol biogas produced lrom poultry droppings
and donkey-dung combination in biogas plant are presented in
Jable +.
JLe results indicated tLat, tLe percentage ol metLane content
in tLe gas generated varied lrom 52.5% to 68.6% tLe metLane
content tended to increase gradually lrom lirst week to
seventL week and it was maximum (68.6%) during seventL
week. WLile tLe percentage ol carbondioxide in tLe gas was in
tLe reverse proportion to tLat ol metLane gas.
JLe nutrient composition ol digested slurry wLicL includes
, P and K valus lor tLree retention periods ol 28 days, 35 days
and +2 days is presente in Jable 5.
JLe percentage ol nitrogen (), pLospLorus (P) and potassium
(K) varied lrom 2.+% to 2.+3%, 0.8+% to 0.85% and 0.69% to
0./2%, respectively. JLe maximum percentage during +2nd
day ol retention period lollowed by 35tL day (2.+2% , 0.8+%
MetLane 52.5 59.+ 62.6 6+.5 68.6
Carbon dioxide +2.+ 35.2 31.8 29.+ 25.0
CtLer gases 5.1 5.+ 5.6 6.1 6.+
28 2.+0 0.8+ 0.69
35 2.+2 0.8+ 0./0
+2 2.+3 0.85 0./2
Vc/ 84, june 2003 23
P and 0./0% K) and a minimum ol 2.+0%, 0.8+% and 0.69%,
respectively during 28tL day ol retention period.
In case ol poultry droppings and donkey-dung
combination, tLe cumulative gas production was
maximum (+00.61 l) in 1:1./ size (H/D ratio) digester
lollowed by 1:1 size (H/D ratio) digester (350.99 l) and
1:0.5 size (H/D ratio) digester (320.35 l), wLile in case
ol partLenium and donkey-dung combination tLese
values were 2+2.5/ l, 232.68 l and 216.39 l, in case ol
eucalyptus leaves and donkey-dung combination
tLese values were 25+.61 l, 230./1 l and 21/.96 l,
respectively and in control treatment ol donkey-dung
alone tLese were 261.11 l, 2++.+/ l and 233.10 l,
respectively.
JLe maximum average metLane contents ol 58.13%,
+9.61% and 5+.28% were recorded in tLe gas generated
lrom poultry droppings and donkey-dung
combination over otLer two leedstock combination
namely, partLenium and donkey-dung combination
(+3.95%, +3.35% and ++.88% and eucalyptus leaves
and donkey-dung combination (+3.60%, +8./0 and
51.69) in 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1./ size (H/D ratio) digester,
respectively.
Poultry droppings as a partial substrate witL donkey-
dung combination as leed material is lound to be
superior in terms ol quantity and quality ol gas
production over otLer two substrates namely,
partLenium and eucalyptus leaves witL donkey-dung
combination.
Among tLe tLree digesters, 1:1./ size (H/D ratio)
digester perlormed better compared to 1:0.5, 1:1 size
(H/D ratio) digesters in terms ol quantity ol gas
generated lor retention period ol 56 days.
In 0.5 m
3
capacity lloating drum type biogas plant,
poultry dropping and donkey dung combination
produced a maximum ol 2++3.6 l ol gas during liltL
week retention period lollowed by lortL week (2+00 l),
sixtL week (239/.+ l) and a minimum ol 2011.+ l
during seventL week ol retention period.
JLe percentage ol metLane content in tLe gas
produced lrom poultry droppings and donkey-dung
combination in pilot size biogas plant varied lrom
52.5% to 68.6% witL a maximum ol 68.6% during
seventL week ol retention period.
JLe percentage ol nitrogen (), pLospLorous (P) and
potassium (K) in tLe digested slurry ol poultry
droppings and donkey-dung combination varied lrom
2.+0% to 2.+3%, 0.8+% to 0.85% and 0.69% to 0./2%,
respectively.
JLe maximum percentage ol nitrogen (2.+3%),
pLospLorous (0.85%) and potassium (0./2%) were
recorded during +2nd day ol retention period
lollowed by 35tL day (2.+2% , 0.8+% P and 0./0% K)
and a minimum ol 2.+0%, 0.8+% and 0.69%,
respectively, during 28tL day ol retention period.
Iinally, poultry droppings and donkey-dung
combination as leed material can generate on an
average a total gas ol 11352 l witL an average metLane
content ol 61.52% 0.5 m
3
lloating drum type biogas
plant yielding digested slurry, wLicL contains an
average ol 2.+2%, 0.8+% and 0./0% ol nitrogen,
pLospLorous and potassium, respectively.
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