Development of a domestic batch bio-digester for pineapple crowns and cow dung and characterization of feedstocks

A large proportion of global gas consumption is derived from naturally occurring sources that are not readily available and accessible by a common man in the street. This has continued to pose serious challenges to researchers in developing suitable alternatives to the naturally occurring gas supply source. A notable problem associated with the use of gas from natural sources is that it contributes to global warming as a result of the release into the environment of the related by-products from its exploration, production, and usage. The cow dung used in this study consists of 6 % moisture, 15 ash, 96 total solids, 80 % volatile solids, 8.1 pH, and 20 % fixed solids. The result of the characterization revealed 5 % moisture, 5.2 % ash, 95 % total solid, 89 % volatile solid, 6.6 pH, and 11 % fixed solid. The pH of the mixture of PCCD is 7.4 and PCCDBC is 7.6 which is an improvement to the individual pH of cattle dung and pineapple crown. Hence, both cow dung and pineapple crowns are suitable for biogas production.