CHARACTERIZATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF 11M3 BIOGAS PLANT CONSTRUCTED AT NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

An 11M³ Chinese- type fixed dome biogas plant, designed and constructed at the National Center for Energy Research and Development, University Of Nigeria, Nsukka was characterized through measurement of its actual volume and intensive three (3) weeks kitchen performance tests. Results of the measurement of the plant showed that its actual volume is 11.0M³. Anaerobic digestion of cow dung using the plant was carried out. The plant was found to utilize 2000kg of the waste with 4000kg of water giving a waste to water ratio of 1:2. The experiment under semi-continuous batch process was carried out within a retention period of 90 days and mesophilic temperature range of 26^◦C and 38^◦C. The volume of gas production at full capacity of the plant was found to be 1.13 L / kg. TS with pressure of 0.147 bar. Food items commonly consumed in the environment such as eggs, rice and stew, yam, normal and hard beans (“fio-fio”), soup flavouring agent (“Okpei”) were utilized for the cooking performance tests at full production capacity and at various volumes of gas in the biogas plant. Overall results showed that at full capacity, cooking can take place for 5hr at a stretch no matter the food item being cooked. The plant also has the capability to serve a family of 8 persons averagely on a daily basis.