Aderibigbe, A.B., Dept. of Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Biogas is a gas produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This work involves the construction of (250L) plastic biodgiester using plastic ‘Storex’ tank as reactor vessel and non-corroding metal as the agitating device. The substrate used in this work includes rice husk, paper waste, maize husk and cow dung were perpetrated using hydrothermal process (except the latter) before been prepared in slurry form to achieve 8% solid content. A total 170 liters slurry was used to fed the digester. In this study, batch fermentation system was used. During fermentation, agitation of the reaction medium was carried out (6-8 times daily) with the aid of agitating device. Biogas production was measured by the downward water displacement method. Measurable gas was observed at the 13th day of the study (600ml), while highest gas production was observed at 47th day of the work (5500ml). Fluctuation in environmental condition such as temperature and changing in pH value leads to inconsistence daily gas production. The pH of the medium ranged from 4.45 – 6.85. The use of plastic material for the construction of biodigester and a non-corroding metal as agitating device aids biogas production. This is because the plastic is cheap, durable, consistent, and gas leakage problem can be easily controlled. Also a mixture of animal waste and plant waste materials with proper pretreatment of these wastes prior to discharge to biodigester has a positive effect on biogas yield. © 2015, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology. All rights Reserved.