Articles
Optimization of biogas production from cactus Opuntia spp. feedstock by use of cattle manure
Article number
1343_10
Pages
75 – 80
Language
English
Abstract
Opuntia stricta is a major invasive species that has invaded about 70% of Maasai grazing land in Kenya, displacing the native pastures and browses.
To reduce vulnerability of pastoral livelihood from the spread of the plant, sustainable approaches are needed.
The study sought to evaluate the potential use of cactus for biogas production when co-digested with different levels of cattle manure.
The laboratory experiment was conducted using a four-by-four factorial design with three runs at the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna.
The treatment mixes for each run contained duplicates of 0, 10, 20, and 30% of oven-dried cattle manure and the rest of Opuntia cladodes on a dry matter basis.
The amount of total solid was fixed at 3 g each in a 65-mL bottle digester kept at 39°C. Total gas production, pH, carbon, and nitrogen concentration and 13C isotope ratio were measured from 8 bottles in each treatment at four intervals of 24, 48, 144, and 192 h.
Significant interactions were observed between manure levels and incubation period for both total gas and pH. The highest total gas (114.9±0.05 mL) was recorded with Inclusion of 20% manure at 192 h signifying a 43% increase compared to 0% manure.
Similarly, the addition of manure raised the pH values after 96 and 192 h and was highest in treatments with 10% inclusion at 192 h.
Longer experimental time are needed to evaluate the reactor pH and the amount of methane produced among the treatments.
To reduce vulnerability of pastoral livelihood from the spread of the plant, sustainable approaches are needed.
The study sought to evaluate the potential use of cactus for biogas production when co-digested with different levels of cattle manure.
The laboratory experiment was conducted using a four-by-four factorial design with three runs at the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna.
The treatment mixes for each run contained duplicates of 0, 10, 20, and 30% of oven-dried cattle manure and the rest of Opuntia cladodes on a dry matter basis.
The amount of total solid was fixed at 3 g each in a 65-mL bottle digester kept at 39°C. Total gas production, pH, carbon, and nitrogen concentration and 13C isotope ratio were measured from 8 bottles in each treatment at four intervals of 24, 48, 144, and 192 h.
Significant interactions were observed between manure levels and incubation period for both total gas and pH. The highest total gas (114.9±0.05 mL) was recorded with Inclusion of 20% manure at 192 h signifying a 43% increase compared to 0% manure.
Similarly, the addition of manure raised the pH values after 96 and 192 h and was highest in treatments with 10% inclusion at 192 h.
Longer experimental time are needed to evaluate the reactor pH and the amount of methane produced among the treatments.
Publication
Authors
K.T. Oduor, J.C.B. Dubeux, M. Ruiz-Moreno, E.R.S. Santos
Keywords
biogas, cattle manure, co-digestion, cladodes, methane
Groups involved
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