Journal Article

Biogas Production From Banana and Plantain Peels Blended With Cow Dung in An In vitro Biodigester System

Abstract

The rising cost of fossil oil as source of energy as a result of its diminishing supplies coupled with attendant pollution problems associated with petroleum and allied products calls for the search for alternative energy source. The research aim to produce biogas from fresh, dried and cow dung seeded banana and plantain peels. The experiment was carried out using an improvised laboratory anaerobic digester for a period of 35 days. The volume of gas generated during the retention period were in the order seeded sample > fresh sample > dried sample. The banana peels was seen to be a better biogas producer when compared to plantain peels with the biogas produced showing a calorific value 6684 kcal/kg as compared to 6535 kcal/kg for plantain peels. The physico-chemistry of fresh samples and spent slurries in the biodigesters revealed a slight drop in pH from 7.2 to 5.68 and 7.4 to 6.1 for the plantain and banana peels respectively. This study holds promise in developing countries and notably in rural areas where electricity and are scarce and biological waste are in abundance

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