ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF FOOD WASTES AND ANIMAL DUNGS FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Biogas generated from renewable organic biomass is seen as a means to decrease dependency on fossil resources, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as provide an alternative source of energy. The aim of the study was to produce biogas from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of food wastes and animal dung. The food wastes collected from restaurants around the temporary site, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, and pig manure, cow manure, and chicken droppings collected from different farms in Awka metropolis served as substrates. The physiochemical properties of the substrates, which included pH, carbon and nitrogen content, volatile solid and volatile fatty acid (acetic acid), were analyzed. A simple shake flask digester was fabricated and used for the digestion of the substrates. Individual digestion of the substrates was investigated. Biogas produced was measured by the water displacement method. Results showed that biogas produced followed this order: chicken dropping˃ pig dung˃ cow dung˃ food wastes. Chicken dropping produced the highest biogas yield of 961ml/g VS while food wastes produced the least biogas yield of 115ml/g VS.