Abstract:

Domestic energy is becoming more expensive in Nigeria, so efforts are being made towards sourcing for alternative, cheaper and more affordable energy sources especially those that are environmentally friendly. In view of this assertion, the present study was conducted to determine biogas production of cow dung and Goat pellets. The proximate composition of both raw-materials, and physiochemical characteristics were analysed and the results revealed that cow dung is richer in all the parameters analyzed except in total solids (TS) and calorific value than Goat pellets. The percentage (%) composition of organic elements in both raw-materials shows higher concentrations of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, C, Mg, and Ca, in cow dung and Na in Goat pellets. The digestion periods of cow dung and Goat pellets was 8days and the retention period was 36and 26 days respectively. The cumulative volume of biogas generated from both raw-materials was determined and it was observed that cow dung produced 0.57m3 x 10-6 of cumulative biogas, while Goat pellets produced only 0.26m3 x 10-6. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) result revealed that there were significant differences between the volumes of cumulative biogas generated from the organic materials. Higher volume of cumulative biogas was generated from cow dung which was an indication that cow dung had higher yield potentials for biogas production than goat pellets. Details of this finding are presented. It can be concluded that Cow dung generates more methane gas (biogas) than Goat pellets.