(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2010-05) Obiukwu, O. O.; Nwafor, O. M. I.
The optimum temperature of biogas production from blends of animal-based wastes was determined under controlled heat supply to the digester in a batch digestion process. Cow Dung (CD) and Poultry Droppings (PD) were blended in the ratio of CD: PD::1:3. The digester was operated at average ambient temperature of 30°C as baseline. Biogas production from the waste blends was monitored under the temperatures of 32°C to 45°C. Results obtained indicate maximum cumulative gas yield was observed at the temperature of 40°C.The 40°C temperature gave the highest biogas yield of 2685 ml followed by the 35°C temperature with the cumulative yield of 2535 ml. The ambient temperature of 30°C had the least cumulative biogas yield of 185 ml. These results indicate that increased and steady biogas production can be achieved under the optimum mesophilic temperature of 40°C when these animal-based wastes are digested in batch digestion process.