ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikangar- 304 501, Rajasthan
2Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana-141 004, Punjab
1ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar- 243 122, Uttar Pradesh
This study investigated the suitability of sheep manure for biogas production by optimization of the biogas yield and methane content at different manure-to-water dilution ratios. Sheep manure contained 35.77% dry matter, 64.23% moisture, 15.95% ash, 7.62% acid-insoluble ash, 84.05% organic matter, 48.75% organic carbon and C:N (carbon-to-nitrogen) ratio of 30.09: 1. It contained a gross energy of 4421.75 kcal/kg, 7.80 pH, 621.00 ppm total dissolved solids and an electrical conductivity of 1.25 mS/cm. Fibre analysis of sheep manure revealed 29.23% cellulose, 19.94% hemicellulose and 16.74% lignin. Nutrient analysis showed 9.36% crude protein, 2.34% ether extract and 1.62% total nitrogen. In sheep manure, mineral concentrations were 83.84 ppm zinc, 31.08 ppm copper, 116.49 ppm manganese, 757.72 ppm iron, 1.24%calcium, 0.20% sodium, 0.43% potassium and 0.77% phosphorus. Biogas production at manure-to-water dilution ratios of 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 was 0.289, 0.260 and 0.255 Nm3/kg TS, respectively. The corresponding methane content in the biogas was 54.06, 55.54 and 53.72%. The findings suggested that sheep manure is a renewable source of bio-energy and a manure-to-water dilution ratio of 1:2 provides the most effective balance for maximizing biogas yield.
Biogas production, Manure-to-water dilution, Methane yield, Sheep manure
