Improving biogas production efficiency through co-digestion of cattle dung with crop residues: A case study in Nepal

• Published in: 2015 9th International Conference on Sensing Technology (ICST) pp. 803 - 810
• Main Authors: Adhikari, Shanti Kala, Sims, Ralph E. H., Hasslet, Stephen, Murray, Phil, Steward-withers, Rochelle
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Agriculture; Biogas; carbon-nitrogen (C//N) ratio; Cattle; co-digestion; Conferences; Corn; Cows; Dung; efficiency; feedstock/substrate; Methane; Production; Sensors; Straw; Substrates; Summer; volumetric methane prediction (VMP) model; yield
• ISSN: 2156-8073
• DOI: 10.1109/ICSensT.2015.7438507

This study was undertaken to identify how much biogas production can be increased through co-digestion of cattle dung with rice straw, wheat straw, corn stover and human excreta. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were applied. Field survey was undertaken in Nepal to collect information about existing biogas production, use and potentiality for co-digestion. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse existing energy use pattern and problems behind lower biogas production. Volumetric Methane Production (VMP) model was applied to analyse daily biogas production capacity increment due to co-digestion. Both summer and winter temperature condition was taken into account. This study showed that co-digestion can increase biogas production efficiency up to 150%.