ABSTRACT

In many parts of the world, energy is a prerequisite for economic prosperity and a fulfilling existence. With a lengthy history, anaerobic digestion holds enormous promise for meeting the world's energy needs, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and recovering vital minerals. The purpose of this study is to optimize the production of biomethane via anaerobic digestion of cow dung. The research focuses on identifying key factors and operational parameters that influence biogas production, with the ultimate goal of enhancing biomethane content. In order to achieve this, a sample of fresh cow waste was obtained from an Edo State abattoir located in Benin City. The cow dung was thoroughly mixed with the right amount of water using a wooden stirrer to create a biodigester. To maximize the generation ofbiogas, the fermentation slurry was appropriately prepared and mixed with an equivalent volume of water in a 2:1 ratio. This study yielded 94.58% biogas and free fatty acid conversion of 96.66%. The yielded biogas consisted of 660,000 ppm biomethane which is 2% higher than the standard yield of biomethane produced in biogas. The most important factors influencing the biogas yield are the reaction temperature and reaction duration. The study also reaffirmed how well bioderived wastes with high free fatty acid may be used to simultaneously produce biogas.