Biogas Production from Agricultural Wastes

wheat straw, groundnut shells and sugar cane bagasse were selected as agricultural wastes, to study the possibility of producing biogas , by the process of anaerobic fermentation , as well as to study the effect of the addition of poultry droppings, on gas production from wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse .Chemical analysis of these agricultural wastes showed small differences in total solids, volatile solids, organic carbon and cellulose content. While higher differences were observed in lignin and total nitrogen content and consequently in C: N ratio. No significant differences were observed, in biogas volumes produced and methane content, between the physically treated samples and the control. Addition of poultry droppings significantly increased the biogas volumes produced for both wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse. Chemical analysis, of anaerobic sludge, showed reduction in cellulose and increase in lignin content.