Study On the Biogas Yielding Potential of a Portable Bioreactor Using a Blend of Corn Cob and Rice Chaff Mixed With Goat and Dog Dungs

Abstract

The study is to investigate the viability of corncob and rice chaff co-digested with goat and dog dungs in the production of biogas and the PCR detection of the methanogenic bacteria involved. The study was carried out at mesophillic condition between (29.5 –33 0 C) in a mini laboratory digester fabricated using guage 16 metal sheets with 80L capacity for a 90 days retention time. Corn cob and rice chaff were shredded and mixed with water with ratio 4:1 and 3:1 (waste to water) respectively and mixed with goat and dog dungs with ratio 2:1 (waste to water) and digested anaerobically. The proximate analysis of all the substratesused were carried out and the result shows a C:N (carbon, nitrogen ratio) that is appropriate for the biogas production. The result shows a yield of 15L after 20days at temperature 31 0 C and pH 6.2, there was a drop in the yield and then an increase from the 40th day of digestion. The cumulative production was 37L at temperature 31 0 C and pH 5.9. The bacteria isolated from the samples includes; E. coli, Proteusspp, Klebsiellapneumoniae,Serratia. spp, Flavimonas spp. The result revealed that this combination of substrates can yield significantly biogas.