DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF BIO-DIGESTER FOR METHANE PRODUCTION USING COW DUNG

A cost-effective bio-digester was explored to convert biological waste into useful clean households’ energy. The aim of the study was to develop Biofuel System using 60 litres digester from Methane for biogas production. The bio-digester was designed and developed. The cow dung being the raw material for the production of biogas was obtained from Lafia Abattoir, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and transported to Mechanical and Chemistry laboratory of Benue State University, Makurdi, for processing and biogas production. The collected fresh cow dungs were loaded with water into the digester and was properly air-tight. The mixtures were allowed in the biodigester for 1 month. The biogas digester produced an average of 0.50 m3 of biogas per day, with a methane content of 60–65%. The developed biogas digester was simple, cost effective, and easy to operate. The interlocking drum provided stability and safety, while the readily available materials made the digester accessible for the production of the gas and the produced gas is stored in the tube. In conclusion, a 60 litres bio-digester was successfully designed and constructed for the production of biogas for economic and waste management using locally available cow dung material in Nigeria. It is recommended that increased development or procurement of bio-digester be considered in order to ease households cooking by using the produced gas.