EFFECT OF NICKEL CHLORIDE ON THE PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS FROM COW DUNG
Eric O. Osazuwa*
ABSTRACT
Background: The need for alternative energy source from biomass cannot be overstressed especially with the attendant consequence of pollution and evolving diseases from fossil fuel and petro chemicals.. The effect of NiCl2 (as a catalyst) on a biogas production from cow dung was investigated. Methods: 50 Litres of cow dung was mixed at a ratio of 10 L of distilled water and mixed till it was homogeneous (pot 1 experiment). This served as control. It was transferred to a 100L anaerobic digester locally constructed using a 100L tightly closed lid container, connections and rubber tube. The second mixture (pot 2 experiment ) of 50 Litres cow dung was mixed and nickel chloride was prepared and added to the homogenous mixture at a ratio of 10L of cow dung to 1L of distilled water. The gas production was monitored over the course of ten (10) days and the Physiochemical properties of the Slurry of both the digester without NiCl2 (control) and with NiCl2 was determined before and after 10 days. The volatile organic matter and the Nitrogen content were analyzed Results: The decomposition of total solid and volatile organic solid were observed with the pot 2 experiment (34.4%) as compared to pot 1 (1.2%). There was also a reduction in the volatile organic matter and the Nitrogen in the digester without Nickel catalyst but was far higher in the catalyst spiked digester. Conclusion: The study confirmed the importance of catalyst (NiCl2) in biogas production.
Keywords: Biogas, cow dung, digester, NiCl2, Catalyst, Nitrogen, Organic matter.
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