Prospects of Biogas Generation from Pig Waste for Low Temperature Areas of Meghalaya

Biogas generatedfrom animal and crop waste is a cheap and reliable source of energy. The low temperature (2–30°C) and high humidity prevailing in the northeastern hill region adversely affect biogas production in cow dung fed digesters. As an alternative to cow dung fed plants, biogas generation from pig waste at various slurry levels and head retention time (HRT) was evaluated infloating drum type (KVIC design) pilot biogas plants. The organic matter content and heat generation potential of pig waste was 60.2% and 4.01 Kcal/gm (d. m). A slurry ratio of 1:2 with 45 days HRT gave the highest gas generation of 0.089 m³/kg (d.b). Biogas generation reduced by 38% when the mean ambient temperature went downfonn 19.1 to 9.3° c. The digested pig waste slurry contained organic matter of 20.56% as compared to 60.2% in undigested slurry.