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Co-digestion of Lawn Grass with Cow Dung and Pig Manure Under Anaerobic Condition

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The Nexus: Energy, Environment and Climate Change

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine optimum biogas production by examining the effect of co-digestion of lawn grass with cow dung and pig manure. In order to conduct this experimental research, each of the substrates was co-digested with lawn grass at varying mixing ratios at stable, thermophilic (45 °C) temperatures, over a retention time of 16 days. Results indicated that co-digesting lawn grass with cow dung and/or pig manure may enhance biogas production and methane content. The results also imply that pig manure may be a more appropriate co-substrate to mix with lawn grass as it indicated a longer biogas potential for a relatively extended period of time, particularly when the lawn grass to pig manure mixing ratio was an even 30:30 g. Cow dung and lawn grass at a mixture 20:40 g had the highest biogas production, bio-methane potential. The C:N ratio, however, seems to be the main contributing factor in biogas yield hence the differences in yield for the different mixtures and substrates. Methane content of biogas was at its lowest levels for mono-digestion of lawn grass. However, mono-digesting lawn grass has a higher bio-methane potential and biogas accumulation over time when compared to a mixing ratio of pig manure:lawn grass of 40:20 g. The best possible bio-methane and biogas production were achieved when lawn grass was co-digested with both pig manure and cow manure at the ratio of, a 15:15:30 g which is attributed to the balanced nutrients and buffering in the digester.

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Abbreviations

CH3COOH:

Acetic acid

NH3 :

Ammonia

NH4 + :

Ammonium ion

AD:

Anaerobic digestion

APHA:

American Public Health Association

BMP:

Biomethane potential

CH3CH2CH2COOH:

Butyric acid

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

CD:

Cow dung

C:N ratio:

Carbon nitrogen ratio

C2H5OH:

Ethanol

GC:

Gas chromatography

GHG:

Greenhouse gas emissions

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

H2S:

Hydrogen sulphide

LG:

Lawn grass

CH4 :

Methane

NOx :

Nitrogen oxides

OLR:

Organic loading rate

PM:

Pig manure

PEETS:

Process Energy Environmental Technology Station

CH3CH2COOH:

Propionic acid

SRT:

Solid retention time

SANEDI:

South Africa National Energy Development Institute

SO2 :

Sulphur dioxide

TIA:

Technology Innovation Agency

VFA:

Volatile fatty acids

VS:

Volatile solids

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Acknowledgements

The author wish to express their appreciation to Process Energy Environmental and Technology Station (PEETS) funded by City of Johannesburg, South Africa National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) through Prof Charles Mbohwa, Mr. Thabo Maahlatsi, Mr. Mlawule Mashego, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry Departments at the University of Johannesburg for allowing us to work in their laboratories. Ms. Noxolo Sibiya for assisting with some with analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    Suraya Singh, Anthony Njuguna Matheri & Mohamed Belaid

  2. Department of Chemical, Material and Metallurgical Engineering, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana

    Edison Muzenda

Authors
  1. Suraya Singh
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  2. Anthony Njuguna Matheri
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  3. Mohamed Belaid
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  4. Edison Muzenda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed Belaid .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Manchester Metropolitan University, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius

    Dinesh Surroop

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Singh, S., Matheri, A.N., Belaid, M., Muzenda, E. (2018). Co-digestion of Lawn Grass with Cow Dung and Pig Manure Under Anaerobic Condition. In: Leal Filho, W., Surroop, D. (eds) The Nexus: Energy, Environment and Climate Change. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63612-2_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63612-2_14

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