Decomposition processes of household waste via small-scale biogas technology: a case study of Nigeria

Genevieve Chinwe Olumba, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

ABSTRACT The experiment was carried out to assess decomposition processes of household waste in small scale biogas technology, a case study of Nigeria. Waste samples were collected from three locations (metropolis, satellite and outskirt) of Abuja. Bulked waste samples was put inside a polythene bag and taken to the laboratory for determination of chemical properties according to standard method. Data collected was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and treatments mean were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at probability of 5%. The Results of chemical properties indicated that Soil pH differed in both before and after anaerobic digestion of wastes from the three locations (7.18-7.45), available P content was (0.5 and 0.7mg/kg). Exchangeable bases like K was 51 and 52 respectively. Organic carbon was (30.4and 34.4%), and total Nitrogen (1.2465and 1.45%) while the volume of biogas produced were 24.1g in satellite, 24.0g in outskirt and 22.0g in metropolis respectively. Cumulative biogas yield at 21 days after the setup of anaerobic digesters with 180 second of time of cooking period with a production of 73.33g, 23days of 360 seconds of cooking period with a production of biogas 133.33g, 25days of 270 seconds of cooking period with a production of 93.33g and 30 days of 90 seconds of cooking period with the production of 63.33g of biogas. However, there were all significantly different at 5% level of probability. Chemical properties analysis were compared with soil fertility ratings. Soil pH was slightly alkaline, organic carbon, total nitrogen, total exchangeable base like potassium were high while available phosphorus was low. The volume of biogas generated by anaerobic digester containing wastes from satellite location of Abuja produced the highest volume of biogas followed by outskirt and metropolis respectively. It was also observed that the volume of biogas production declined along days of setup. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to produce biogas using household waste in commercial quantity.

Keywords

Biogas Technology, Household Waste, Nigeria, Anaerobic Digestion, Chemical Properties

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 11. 8. 2024

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 18. 9. 2024
• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Hynek Roubík, Ph.D.
• Reader: Ghaith Hasan, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
Tropical Crop Management and Ecology