Comparison of biogas productivity of cassava peels mixed in selected ratios with major livestock waste types

Abstract

Biogas productivity of cassava peels, mixed with poultry, piggery and cattle waste types in ratios 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 by mass, was investigated using 12 Nos. 220l batch type anaerobic digesters in a 3 x 4 factorial experiment using a retention period of 30 days and within the mesophilic temperature range. Biogas yield was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced by the different mixing ratios of livestock waste with cassava peels. The cumulative average biogas yield from digested cassava peels was 0.6 l/kg-TS. The average cumulative biogas yield increased to 13.7, 12.3, 10.4 and 9.0 l/kg-TS respectively for 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 mixing ratios when cassava peel was mixed with poultry waste. On mixing with piggery waste, the average cumulative biogas yield increased to 35.0, 26.5, 17.1 and 9.3 l/kg-TS respectively for 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 mixing ratios.  In the case of mixing with cattle waste, the average cumulative biogas yield increased to 21.3, 19.5, 15.8 and 11.2 l/kg-TS respectively for 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 mixing ratios. Results show that for all livestock waste types, mixing with peels in the ratio 1:1 by mass produced the highest biogas volumes, and highest in piggery waste.   Key words: Anaerobic digestion, biogas, cassava peels, cattle waste, poultry waste, piggery waste.