Design, Fabrication and Testing of a Biogas Digester using Rice Husk as a Feedstock

Rice husk, an abundant agricultural waste, offers a promising feedstock for biogas production. The necessity for alternative energy sources, particularly in regions like Nigeria with limited access to traditional fuels, has become imperative. The utilization of biogas from organic waste materials presents a sustainable solution to mitigate environmental degradation caused by deforestation and desert encroachment. This study aims to design and construct a biogas production system from rice husk, offering a viable energy alternative for rural communities. This study investigates the production of biogas from rice husk and its performance in a dual stove for cooking applications. The experiment was conducted over a 42-day period, with various samples (35g, 50g, 65g, 80g) monitored for temperature, pressure, and gas production. The results show that the biogas produced is suitable for burning and efficient cooking. The dual stove performance evaluation demonstrated that biogas cooks food faster than kerosene for boiling fish (4-minute difference), boiling meat (4-minute difference), and cooking rice (8-minute difference). The study concludes that biogas production from rice husk is a viable and sustainable energy solution, with the potential to contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and decreased reliance on fossil fuels. Recommendations include optimizing digester conditions, monitoring pressure, reducing carbon dioxide content, scaling up production, and exploring different feedstock materials and retention times. The findings highlight the importance of developing comprehensive biogas utilization plans for effective storage, distribution, and utilization of the generated biogas.