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ABSTRACT
The problem of energy security has been a long-lasting challenge and it will persist due to the rapid increase in population. This in turn increases the cost and availability of energy at various levels, hence, the need for a sustainable and cost-effective solution. Therefore, this project was focused on the design and fabrication of a laboratory-scale bio-digester for the production of biogas. A cylindrical digester was constructed using mild steel sheets of 1.7mm thickness; with a height of 21.6cm, diameter of 13cm and capacity of 2.87m3 . The bio-digester was equipped with a flat plate lid with a diameter of 16cm, a pressure gauge of 30psi (max), and two pressure regulation valves where the biogas was collected. The biomass charged into the bio-digester was cattle rumen and yam peels. The biomass had a pH of 6.1 and Volatile solid content (VS) of 92.85%. The cattle rumen and yam peels were mixed with water in a ratio of 1:2:3 into slurry which occupied two-third of the total volume of the digester. The volume of gas collected, pressure and temperature were measured daily at 12:00 noon. The total volume of biogas produced at the end of the fourteen-day retention period was 2.48dm3 . A gas analyser was used to analyse the gas produced on a daily basis. The gas produced contained 760 ppm carbon IV oxide (CO2), 1 ppm hydrogen sulphide (H2S), 17.8% vol. oxygen (O2) and 4.5% vol. methane (CH4) with a 90% Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) value on the first day. This study shows a good approach to abattoir and domestic waste management, and cheaper energy generation.
