Production of Biofuel from Cow Dung and wastage agriculture: A Sustainable Energy Approach

The increasing demand for energy and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves have heightened the need for sustainable and renewable alternatives. Cow dung, a widely available agro-industrial byproduct, offers significant potential as a biofuel feedstock due to its organic composition and inherent microbial activity. This study investigates cow dung and vegetables wastage as a substrate for biofuel production through various conversion technologies, including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). Anaerobic digestion produced methane-rich biogas (55–65% CH₄) with an energy value comparable to natural gas, while pyrolysis generated bio-oil containing hydrocarbons in the petrol range (C₅–C₁₂), alongside biochar and syngas. Gasification and HTL demonstrated the feasibility of synthesizing advanced liquid fuels such as methanol, gasoline, and biocrude oil. Comparative evaluation of these methods highlights the efficiency, energy recovery potential, and technological requirements of each process. Integrating anaerobic digestion with thermochemical conversion of residual dung enhances overall fuel yield and waste valorization. The results suggest that cow dung-based biofuels not only provide a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels but also contribute to sustainable rural energy systems and circular economy practices.