IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i12p5145-d1416486.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Investigating Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, and Hydrogen Sulphide Content in Agricultural Waste during Biogas Production

Author

Listed:
  • Ephodia Sihlangu

    (Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Dibungi Luseba

    (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 0001, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Thierry Regnier

    (Biotechnology & Food Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Primrose Magama

    (Agricultural Research Council-Agricultural Engineering, Pretoria 0184, South Africa)

  • Idan Chiyanzu

    (Agricultural Research Council-Agricultural Engineering, Pretoria 0184, South Africa)

  • Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe

    (Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

Abstract

The agricultural industry produces a substantial quantity of organic waste, and finding a suitable method for disposing of this highly biodegradable solid waste is a difficult task. The utilisation of anaerobic digestion for agricultural waste is a viable technological solution for both renewable energy production (biogas) and waste treatment. The primary objective of the study was to assess the composition of biogas, namely the percentages of methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and hydrogen sulphide. Additionally, the study aimed to quantify the amount of biogas produced and determine the methane yield (measured in NmL/g VS) from different agricultural substrates. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) measurements were conducted in triplicate using the BPC Instruments AMPTS II instrument. The substrates utilised in the investigation were chosen based on their accessibility. The substrates used in this study comprise cattle manure, chicken manure, pig manure, tomato plants, tomatoes, cabbage, mixed fruits, mixed vegetables, dog food, and a co-digestion of mixed vegetables, fruits, and dog food (MVMFDF). Prior to the cleaning process, the makeup of the biogas was assessed using the BIOGAS 5000, a Geotech Analyser. The AMPTS II flow cell automatically monitored and recorded the volume of bio-methane produced after the cleaning stage. The data were examined using the Minitab-17 software. The co-digestion of mixed vegetables, mixed fruits, and dog food (MVMFDF) resulted in the highest methane level of 77.4%, followed by mixed fruits at 76.6%, pig manure at 72.57%, and mixed vegetables at 70.1%. The chicken manure exhibited the greatest levels of ammonia (98.0 ppm) and hydrogen sulphide (589 ppm). Chicken manure had the highest hydrogen sulphide level, followed by pig manure (540 ppm), tomato plants (485 ppm), mixed fruits (250 ppm), and MVMFDF (208 ppm). Ultimately, the makeup of biogas is greatly affected by the unique qualities of each substrate. Substrates containing elevated quantities of hydrogen sulphide, such as chicken manure, require the process of biogas scrubbing. This is because they contain substantial amounts of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, which can cause corrosion to the equipment in biogas plants. This emphasises the crucial need to meticulously choose substrates, with a specific focus on their organic composition and their capacity to generate elevated methane levels while minimising contaminants. Substrates with a high organic content, such as agricultural waste, are optimal for maximising the production of methane. Furthermore, the implementation of biogas scrubbing procedures is essential for efficiently decreasing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide levels in biogas. By considering and tackling these problems, the effectiveness of biogas generation can be enhanced and its ecological consequences alleviated. This strategy facilitates the advancement of biogas as a sustainable energy source, hence contributing to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Suggested Citation

  • Ephodia Sihlangu & Dibungi Luseba & Thierry Regnier & Primrose Magama & Idan Chiyanzu & Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe, 2024. "Investigating Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, and Hydrogen Sulphide Content in Agricultural Waste during Biogas Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-29, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5145-:d:1416486
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/5145/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/5145/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. KeChrist Obileke & Nwabunwanne Nwokolo & Golden Makaka & Patrick Mukumba & Helen Onyeaka, 2021. "Anaerobic digestion: Technology for biogas production as a source of renewable energy—A review," Energy & Environment, , vol. 32(2), pages 191-225, March.
    2. Jakub Frankowski & Wojciech Czekała, 2023. "Agricultural Plant Residues as Potential Co-Substrates for Biogas Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Gahyun Baek & Danbee Kim & Jinsu Kim & Hanwoong Kim & Changsoo Lee, 2020. "Treatment of Cattle Manure by Anaerobic Co-Digestion with Food Waste and Pig Manure: Methane Yield and Synergistic Effect," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Alessandro Neri & Bruno Bernardi & Giuseppe Zimbalatti & Souraya Benalia, 2023. "An Overview of Anaerobic Digestion of Agricultural By-Products and Food Waste for Biomethane Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Aakash Khadka & Anmol Parajuli & Sheila Dangol & Bijay Thapa & Lokesh Sapkota & Alessandro A. Carmona-Martínez & Anish Ghimire, 2022. "Effect of the Substrate to Inoculum Ratios on the Kinetics of Biogas Production during the Mesophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Amina Mohamed Ali & Md Alam Zahangir & Fatouma Mohamed Abdoul-Latif & Mohammed Saedi Jami & Jalludin Mohamed & Tarik Ainane, 2023. "Hydrolysis of Food Waste with Immobilized Biofilm as a Pretreatment Method for the Enhancement of Biogas Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Rahul Kadam & Sangyeol Jo & Jonghwa Lee & Kamonwan Khanthong & Heewon Jang & Jungyu Park, 2024. "A Review on the Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Livestock Manures in the Context of Sustainable Waste Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-27, January.
    3. Agnieszka A. Pilarska & Tomasz Kulupa & Adrianna Kubiak & Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka & Krzysztof Pilarski & Alicja Niewiadomska, 2023. "Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste—A Short Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Saha, Chayan Kumer & Nandi, Rajesh & Akter, Shammi & Hossain, Samira & Kabir, Kazi Bayzid & Kirtania, Kawnish & Islam, Md Tahmid & Guidugli, Laura & Reza, M. Toufiq & Alam, Md Monjurul, 2024. "Technical prospects and challenges of anaerobic co-digestion in Bangladesh: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    5. Alessandro A. Carmona-Martínez & Carmen Bartolomé & Clara A. Jarauta-Córdoba, 2023. "The Role of Biogas and Biomethane as Renewable Gases in the Decarbonization Pathway to Zero Emissions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-3, August.
    6. Shitophyta Lukhi Mulia & Arnita Arnita & Wulansari Hilda Dyah Ana, 2023. "Evaluation and modelling of biogas production from batch anaerobic digestion of corn stover with oxalic acid," Research in Agricultural Engineering, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(3), pages 151-157.
    7. Amal Babu Puthumana & Prasad Kaparaju, 2024. "Impact of Organic Load on Methane Yields and Kinetics during Anaerobic Digestion of Sugarcane Bagasse: Optimal Feed-to-Inoculum Ratio and Total Solids of Reactor Working Volume," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-18, October.
    8. Mathilde van Dijk & Annet-Jantien Smit & Jan-Peter Nap, 2023. "Message Framing and Attitudes Toward Green Gas Facilities in Rural Communities of The Netherlands," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    9. Siti Norliyana Harun & Marlia Mohd Hanafiah & Noorashikin Md Noor, 2022. "Rice Straw Utilisation for Bioenergy Production: A Brief Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.
    10. Parralejo Alcobendas Ana Isabel & Royano Barroso Luis & Cabanillas Patilla Juan & González Cortés Jerónimo, 2022. "Biogas from Nitrogen-Rich Biomass as an Alternative to Animal Manure Co-Substrate in Anaerobic Co-Digestion Processes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-13, August.
    11. Mateusz Nowak & Wiktor Bojarski & Wojciech Czekała, 2024. "Economic and Energy Efficiency Analysis of the Biogas Plant Digestate Management Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    12. Tina Kegl & Breda Kegl & Marko Kegl, 2024. "Improvement of Biogas Production Utilizing a Complex Anaerobic Digestion Model and Gradient-Based Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    13. Sivabalan Kaniapan & Jagadeesh Pasupuleti & Kartikeyan Patma Nesan & Haris Nalakath Abubackar & Hadiza Aminu Umar & Temidayo Lekan Oladosu & Segun R. Bello & Eldon R. Rene, 2022. "A Review of the Sustainable Utilization of Rice Residues for Bioenergy Conversion Using Different Valorization Techniques, Their Challenges, and Techno-Economic Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-30, March.
    14. Anna Jasińska & Anna Grosser & Erik Meers & Dagmara Piłyp, 2024. "Stimulating Methane Production from Poultry Manure Digest with Sewage Sludge and Organic Waste by Thermal Pretreatment and Adding Iron or Sodium Hydroxide," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, May.
    15. M. Devendran Manogaran & Mohd Hakimi & Mohammad Harith Nizam Basheer Ahmad & Rashid Shamsuddin & Jun Wei Lim & Muzamil Abdalla M Hassan & Nurul Tasnim Sahrin, 2023. "Effect of Temperature on Co-Anaerobic Digestion of Chicken Manure and Empty Fruit Bunch: A Kinetic Parametric Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, March.
    16. Jean Joël Roland Kinhoun & Ao Li & Minghuan Lv & Yunpeng Shi & Bin Fan & Tingting Qian, 2022. "Human Excreta and Food Waste of a Typical Rural Area in China: Characteristics and Co-Fermentation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    17. Józef Ciuła & Iwona Wiewiórska & Marian Banaś & Tadeusz Pająk & Piotr Szewczyk, 2023. "Balance and Energy Use of Biogas in Poland: Prospects and Directions of Development for the Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-12, May.
    18. Michele Ponzelli & Hiep Nguyen & Jörg E. Drewes & Konrad Koch, 2023. "Improved Recovery of Overloaded Anaerobic Batch Reactors by Graphene Oxide," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.
    19. Luca Esposito & Chiara Vecchio & Giancarlo Cattaneo & Zhouyi Gu & Ester Scotto di Perta, 2023. "Addressing Challenges and Outcomes in the Biogas Sector: An Analysis of Efficiency, Economic Savings, and Environmental Impacts Using an Advanced SWOT Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-22, November.
    20. Alvydas Zagorskis & Akvilė Gotovskienė & Vladimir Monin, 2023. "Quality Assessment of Biogas-Producing Macroalgae from Azov Sea and Šventoji River," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-17, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5145-:d:1416486. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.