BIOGAS PRODUCTION AND In vitro CH4 FROM EXCREMENT OF CATTLE, SHEEP, PIGS AND HEN

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of pig, ovine, bovine and hen excreta on biogas production and in vitro methane. Five kg of fresh excreta from cattle, sheep, pigs and hen was used. Each excreta were mixed with water at a ratio of 1: 4. Subsequently, 600 ml of the mixture was poured into bottles of 1-liter nominal capacity, sealed hermetically and kept at 39-40 °C. The total gas production and methane was evaluated. The highest (P<0.05) total gas production was observed in in vitro digesters with hen excreta (27.1 L gas/kg excreta). Methane production and percentage of methane in the gas produced was higher (P<0.05) on in vitro digesters with sheep excreta (8.3 L methane/kg of excreta and 74.7% respectively). The excreta of sheep can be used as a substrate in anaerobic biodigesters due to the potential of methane production.

Keywords

• biogas production
• methane
• excrement
• livestock systems.