IMPROVING BIOENERGY PRODUCTION FROM ANAEROBIC CO-DIGESTION OF PAPER WASTE AND CHICKEN MANURE USING COCONUT SHELL BIOCHAR

This study assessed the effect of biochar addition on anaerobic co-digestion of paper waste (PW) and chicken manure (CM) using standard experimental procedures.Coconut shell pyrolysed at 600C (CSB600) supplemented at different doses (2%, 4%, 6%, and 10%w/v) were tested for its effect on biogas production potential in batch anaerobic digestion system.Five ( 5) digesters (100ml amber borosilicate glass serum bottles), each with homogenized PW:CM in the ratio of 2:1 was used in this study.All digesters were maintained under thermophilic temperature (45C) for 44 days.The result showed that 2% CSB600 led to an increase in biogas yield of 1135.5mL/gVScompared to control yield of 775mL/gVS.Consequently, cumulative biogas generation was improved by 46.51% for CSB550.Generally, the addition of adequate dose (2%, 4% and 6%) of biochar enhanced cumulative yield while excess amount exhibited deleterious effect on biogas production.Physicochemical parameters of the substrate, inoculum and biochar were determined.Microbial population analysis of substrates and inoculum revealed the presence of Micrococcus sp, Staphylococcus sp, E. coli, Bacillus sp, Lactobacillus sp, Salmonella sp, and Shigella sp.The utilization of biochar in anaerobic digestion system demonstrated a useful strategy for enhancing biogas production.