Analysis of Abattoir Waste for Biogas Production in Kumasi Ghana

Abstract

Animal rumen content and blood waste have been found to increase the economic feasibility of biogas plants. However, there are problems that may occur in a full-scale biogas plant using abattoir waste which can have significant impacts on anaerobic process efficiency. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse abattoir waste characteristics for anaerobic biogas energy production in Kumasi Ghana. Cattle Rumen Content and Blood waste were collected for Laboratory Analysis. The Rumen content were found to be having 14.47±0.89% Total Solids, 84.63±1.30% Volatile Solids, 38.43±11.32% Carbon and 4.90±4.17% Nitrogen. The Blood waste was found to have 17.36±0.82% Total Solids, 95.02±1.25% Volatile Solids, 40.80±4.44% Carbon and 9.90±0.09% Nitrogen. Due to the different backgrounds of the cattle slaughtered at the abattoir, statistical analysis proved that there is variation in the Rumen content and Blood waste characteristics. Biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of Rumen Content, Blood wastes and mixture of Blood and Rumen Content at 37 °C found methane content of 46%, 5.5% and 39.9% respectively. Findings from this study will assist in anaerobic digestion process design, monitoring and operation. It is recommended that further research is conducted into ways to improve biogas production from abattoir waste.