Bio-valorization of Cow Dung for Green Renewable Energy

Recovering organic waste, mainly animal manure, to produce biogas (through bio-methanization) could be seen as an economical, decentralized and environmentally friendly solution for farm waste management since it provides energy autonomy and sustainable agricultural development in rural areas. In this work, cow manure from a cattle farm located in Bouzereah, was used as a substrate. An experimental set up consists of 1.5-liter glass batch digester with a total solid concentration of 5.15%, a heating system (thermostated bath) and a magnetic stirring system. The experiment was monitored for 36 days in a thermophilic environment (55°C). The monitored physico-chemical characteristics of cow dung samples; are: pH, acidity, alkalinity, biogas volume and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Biogas production began at a rate of 0.27 L/day on day 11, with a total biogas potential over 50 L/kg of dried solid. The observed buffering capacity indicate a promising potential to use this substrate in co-digestion process namely for acidic substrate such as chees-whey and household wastes.