Gabriel Bamiyo Dirisu^1,, Member Mark M. Ekpa¹, Chimezie Gabriel Dirisu²

Biogas production is an environmental-friendly biotechnology that minimizes environmental pollution by making use of wastes streams of various types. A biogas reactor (BGR) otherwise known as anaerobic digester is an industrial/environmental technology that employs anaerobic treatment (fermentation) of these wastes to produce biogas, leaving a slurry (digestate) that can serve as biofertilizer. Biogas is a mixture of methane (CH₄), carbon (IV) oxide (CO₂) and other trace gases. In this study, a BGR was designed using 50L steel plate reservoir connected with different pipes with valves for charging substrate, collection of biogas and removal of digester sludge. The biogas produced is collected by downward displacement of water. The substrates used in this study comprises 1:1 fresh cow dung and pawpaw fruit peel mixed with kitchen wastewater. The BGR was maintained for 28 days retention time. The volume of biogas produced and changes in pH and temperature were evaluated. Result shows that the cumulative biogas produced was 89.0 cm³ at optimum pH and temperature of 6.9 and 33.3°C respectively. It is recommended that the reaction process be scaled up for sustainable biogas production.

anaerobic digestion, biogas, Biogas Reactor (BGR), cow dung, pawpaw peel, slurry, pH