The effect of Salinity to Biogas Production

An Investigatory Project

Submitted to

EDGARDO M. RINDINA

Science Teacher

Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School

Submitted by

Princess Mae A. Macalaguing

SY 2017-2018
 Acknowledgement
The making of this investigatory project was not easy and the researcher know

that without the help of the following people, this study will not be possible,

To her family, for all the support, love and inspiration that pushed her to finish the

study amidst of challenges encountered.

To her adviser Mr. Edgardo M. Rondina, for the advices and scientific guidance

to conceptualize of this project.

To her classmates who help her in one way or another to come up and succeed in

the pursue of this study

Most of all to GOD ALMIGHTY, for the strength, patience, and wisdom that

made the researcher surmount all hardships encountered of this study.

THANK YOU!
 ABSRACT

This study “The Effect of Salinity to Biogas Production” was conducted at

the Misamis Oriental General comprehensive High School during school year
2017-2018.
The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of salinity to the
production of biogas, in terms of production volume and eliminating the bad
odour of the digester. it also aimed to help solve biodegradable waste problem
by converting it into a useful source of energy.
The researcher made an improvised biogas digester using the twenty liters
plastic container. The researcher used cow dung, household food waste and sea
water as materials for investigation. The researcher bought new motor cycle tire
that will served as biogas collector.
There were two set up for this study; first the 3.5 kg cow dung and the 1.5
kg house hold food waste were mixed and placed in the digester. The first set up
was observed for two weeks. The data collected of the first set up shows that 5
kg biodegradable waste can produce an average of 5.grams of biogas daily and
it has an input output ratio of 0.10 % daily biogas production . The presence of
bad odour was observed for this set up especially after 3 days of observation.
In set up number 2 the researcher added 5 kg sea water and another 5 kg
cow dung and household food waste mixture; total weight of the mixture
becomes 15 kg. The data collected of the second set up reveals that adding
salinity to the biodegradable waste did not retard the fermentation process
instead it increases biogas production.
Set up 2 which has sea water, produced an average of 33 grams of biogas
daily, and has a 0.33 % daily production of biogas based on input output ratio,
this is greater than set up 1. This implies that the presence of salt in the digester
did not impede the production of biogas. It was observed in this set up that the
intensity of the odour reduced but the researcher failed to quantify the magnitude
of its odour.
To determine the daily production of biogas in terms of % production ratio,
the researcher used the following formula:
% Production Ratio= daily biogas production divided by total raw materials
for the set up multiply to 100%.
Breaking of biogas digester cover was the big problem encountered during
this study. The two weeks of observation for the set up 2 was not finished due to
this problem.
 Further investigation with more digester and more replication was highly
recommended for this study
 Table of Contents

Page

Abstract…………………………………………………………………. i

Introduction …………………………………………………………….1

Statement of the study …………………………………………….......2

Objective of the Study ………………………………………………….3

Significance of the Study………………………………………………3

Scope and Limitation……………………………………………………3

Schematic Diagram ……………………………………………………..4

Review of Related Literature…………………………………………..5

Materials and Methods…………………………………………………7

Results ……………………………………………………………………9

Discussion…………………………………..…………………………….10

Conclusion ………………………………………………………………..

Recommendation ………………………………………………………..

Bibliography (summary of references)………………………………11

Appendixes………………………………………………………………12
 Chapter I

Introduction

Energy has a great impact in our daily lives. It is the most important

commodity that operates in all human activities from economy, security, and

medicine. The economic plight of the country is anchored on energy sufficiency

hence, acquiring bulk of energy supply for the country brings prosperity to its

people.

Petroleum products as source of energy, is the key player of world

economy. Maizar Rahman (2004), in his speech during the tenth International

Financial and economic forum held in Viena Austria, emphasizes that petroleum

gas and oil is the engine of the world economy. Factories and Transportation

businesses for it to operate successfully and effectively must have to consider

the sufficient energy supply.

Scientist, engineers, economist and environmental advocates often times

exchanges ideas regarding the advantages and dis advantages of using

petroleum products. The Kyoto Protocol urges all nations to adapt programs in

their government to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses. Environmental

advocates in their search to preserve the ecological balance of the world

suggested to use renewable sources of energy as alternative supply.

Energy from the Recycled Biodegradable waste materials has great help

to minimize environmental problem. Vijayalaxmi Kinhal (2014), states that the

better understanding of the advantages of recycling can ensure that it becomes a

natural and important part of our life. Extracting energy from biodegradable waste

materials brings significant effect for both economic and environmental issues.

Proponents on the use of Biodegradable energy suggested some waste

materials having great potentials in terms of Biogas production. Amon et al,

(2007), states that animal manures are essential parts of Biogas production. Cow

manure or cow dung in 1:1 ratio of other component materials for biogas

production processes, was observed to give higher yield of methane gas,

(Cuellar et. Al., 2008).

Godwilldoit (2017) states that salt can reduce the odour due to decaying

matter. He pointed out that placing salt to your mouth can eliminate odour

problem. This principles can be applied to fermentation process. During

fermentation the odour that comes from the rotten organisms is due to bacterial

action similar to mouth problem.

The problem of biodegradable waste is a serious matter in the

Philippines, as a matter of fact Congress pass a law to control and strictly

monitor the proper waste disposal. Republic Act 9003 provides; an Ecological

Solid Waste Management Program that will solve the country’s problem in all

forms of pollution. Conversion of Biodegradable waste into energy is a big help to

Pollution dilemma.
Statement of the Problem:

This study aims to answer the following questions:

 How salinity affects biogas production?

 How feasible is the combination of cow manure and household food waste

with the increase salinity as biogas source.

Objectives:

The main purpose of the study is to investigate of the effect of salinity to

biogas production. The sub purposes of the study are the following:

1. The effect of sea water to biogas production in terms of reducing odour

and volume of production.

2. How feasible are cow dung and house hold food waste as materials for

biogas production.

Significance of the study:

This study is a big help to reduce pollution problems in the Philippines,

biodegradable materials that posed environmental complications to society, can

be controlled and utilized as source of energy.

This study is also ameliorates financially not only to a family household but

to whole nation in general, through this study buying imported energy can be

minimized.
Scope and Limitations of the study:

The study focused only on the effect of salinity to biogas production, This

study has limitation in evaluating the intensity of the odour as a result of

fermentation process during biogas production. To measure the magnitude of the

odour is beyond the capacity of the researcher.

 Schematic Diagram

Independent Variables Dependent Variable

• Cow Dung Production of Biogas

• Household
biodegradable Solid
waste

•Salinity

Intervening Variable
Tank Leaking

The arrow tells how the independent variables affects the production of

biogas inside the digester. The cow dung and household food waste are

responsible of fermentation process. Arrow from the intervening variables means

that production volume of biogas can be affected by leaking of the digester.

 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

Andrias Wiji Setio Ngrendeng Pamuji (2000) was a famous inventor of biogas

reactor. He stated that manure can be a gas and can be burned. From trial to

trial, he produced a reactor of 250 micron thick plastic and creates methane gas

stove to type. He has been predicting that the fuel prices are still more expensive

than the existing fuel.

With the help of anaerobic digestion, he used cow dung as his main

material for his study. Biogas compositions are as follows: 50-85% CH 4

(methane); 20-35% CO , H , N , H S and the rest. He bought the cow dung that
2 2 2 2

was mixed by water from a farm. Up in the house, jerry cans remain closed for

fermentation process. Cow manure can produce a type of methane; While other

gas that was liquefied, contains butane (C4H10) and pentane (C5H12).

Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the

bacterial decomposition of organic wastes and use as a fuel. It could be chemical

substances or natural such as manure. It contains methane and carbon dioxide

to sustain the production of fuel. Other countries used to create their biogas to

help the environment. It is a big help to everybody that we can come up with a

product that is effective and beneficial to the society.

The researcher’s biogas is a food waste and dung. Fermenting food waste

and dung is a process to produce biogas for multiple purposes many people also

studied about biogas such as by using animal waste, organic waste and etc.
There is this study called food waste and dung as biogas: Low-cost biogas.

Biogas made from food waste and dung remains as waste.

Each small holder of carinderia or even consumers can be able to make

their own gas from food waste and dung. It can take 1-2 weeks for food waste

and dung to be fully fermented ready to produce gas.

The problem is solving the cost of buying expensive gas by any consumer.

Any person can engage in collecting food waste in family meal and dung from

cows.

From this study, the vision of the researcher is somewhat similar to that

from Andrias, but with a twist of having the manure of cow together with the food

waste. It is said to be that all the animal waste could be used, including human

waste. It’s just that technology hit by the principle of merit in society. The

researcher also put the mixture into a digester which is a machine to produce the

product. Nevertheless, when this research will be suffice it will have a great

impact to everyone, to enhance the practice of reducing waste in the world but

rather make it as a fact of having a renewable material; the biogas.

“But usually in the technology world, things will continue to evolve.

Hopefully there are no funds to research further into not only breeders who can

feel the benefits of biogas” he said. (Andrias 2005)

 Chapter III

Materials and Methods

The following materials were used by this study: one piece 20 liters plastic

container, one piece air suck, PVC pipe (1/2), PVC cup (1/2), 7 kg cow dung 3

kg kg Household biodegradable solid waste, 5.0 kg sea water, 2m small hose,

interior tire of motorcycle, T-valve, vulcaseal, weighing apparatus, paint and paint

brush.

The researcher gathered all the materials needed. For the first set up, the

researcher uses 3.5 kg of cow dung and 1.5 kg of household food waste. Small

amount of tap water was added to the mixture just enough to give moist of the

biodegradable materials. For the second set up, the researcher added 5 kg sea

water and another 5 kg of cow dung and household food waste. The total weight

of the mixture becomes 15 kg. The researcher made a hole at the middle of the

container cover. A plastic tube about 30 cm long was inserted to the cover. The

tube were fasten securely on the cover whole using vulcaseal, then the cover

were placed back to the container in such a way that one end of the tube will not

touch to the mixture, the other end of the tube were connected to hose, and the

other end of the hose were connected to the interior tire of the motorcycle. The

interior of the motorcycle were served as the biogas collector, and the total set-up

served as the biogas digester.

The study were divided into two set ups. Set up 1 will use 1.5 kg

household food waste and 3.5 kg cow dung. The mixture was added with small
amount of water in order to moisten the mixture. Set up 2 uses 7 kg cow dung

and 3 kg household food waste. In this set up 5 kg of sea water was added

instead of tap water. Adding sea water for this set up come up in order to reduce

the odour of the mixture. The data in set up one was observed and collected for

the period of 2 weeks. The data in setup 2 was observed and collected for the

period of 1 week only. The period of observation in set up 2 was shorten due to

the leaking problem.

The weight of biogas collected were measured daily. After it was weighed

the exhaust tube from the digester were open to allow the accumulated gas to

escape into the air. Then the exhaust were close and after 24 hours another

measurement of accumulated gas was conducted. The length of observation was

three weeks. All the data collected during the period of observation were

recorded in the logbook.

 Chapter IV

RESULTS
Set up 1

The production of Biogas was observed for the period of 2 weeks. In this

set up, there were 70 grams total biogas produced for two weeks of

fermentation. Set up has 1 an average of 5 grams of biogas per day, it is

equivalent to .10 % input out production ratio. It was observed that the biogas

digester during this time has strong bad odour and the researcher needs to wear

a face mask during the collection of data

Table 1. Production of biogas during 14 days of fermentation.

Days Weight of Biogas Collected in Grams % biogas production
1 0 0
2 0 0
3 4 0.08
4 4 0.08
5 8 0.16
6 5 0.10
7 5 0.10
8 7 0.14
9 5 0.10
10 5 0.10
11 6 0.12
12 5 0.10
13 7 0.14
14 9 0.18
Total 70 1.40
Average/day 5 0.10
Set up 2.
In this set up, the period of observation was only one week. After 7 days of

fermentation, the cover of the biogas digester used by the study breaks causing

the mixture to come out from the biogas digester hence, the data collection was

stopped. (The picture of the erupted biogas digester is presented in appendices.)

Total collected biogas during this set up was 231 grams and has an

average biogas production of 33 grams daily. The production ratio for this set up

was 0.33 % daily.

In this set up, the researcher noticed that the odour was tolerable, and the

data can be collected even without the face mask.

Table 2. Production of biogas using 15 kg biodegradable mixture.

Days Weight of Biogas Collected in Grams % production/day

1 0 0.00

2 10 0.10

3 2 0.02

4 29 0.29

5 62 0.62

6 37 0.37

7 91 0.91

Total 231 2.31

Average 33 0.33
 Chapter V

DISCUSSION

Set up 1

The data in table 1 reveals that the combination of Cow dung and House

hold Food waste without sea water( 3.5 kg cow dung 1.5 kg) produced an

average of 5 grams/kilograms of Biogas daily , and it has a 0.10 % daily

production based on input output ratio.

The input output ratio was calculated using this formula:

Input output ratio in percent = daily production divided by total raw

materials multiply to100%

Set up 2

In set up 2, the researcher observed that the odour of the biogas digester

lessen compared to set up 1, but the researcher find it difficult to quantify the

intensity of its odour.

Table 2 with 10kg raw materials (cow dung 7 kg, household food waste 3

kg) produced an average of 33 grams/kilograms of biogas daily and it has a daily

production of 0.33 % based on input output ratio.

Table 2 reveals that the presence of seawater in the digester did not retard

the production of biogas instead the production increases. After seven days of
observation set up 2, the cover of the biogas digester breaks, this means that

there was greater pressure build up due to the increase production of biogas..
 Chapter VI

CONCLUSION

Based on the result of the study the researcher concluded that the

presence of sea water in the biogas digester reduced the odour of the biogas

digester containing biodegradable waste. The researcher concluded further, that

salinity at certain ratio to biodegradable waste may not retard fermentation

process and it helps biogas production. Furthermore, the researcher noted that

cow dung and household food waste is a great potential as renewable energy

source.
 Recommendation

During the conduct of the study there was only one improvised biogas

digester used by the researcher, hence, the researcher recommends for further

investigation about this study. The researcher recommends further the more

biogas digester shall be used and the study must be conducted with replication.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Cheng-Chang Lien et.al., (2014)- Water Scrubbing for Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide in

Biogas from Hog Farm.

Dung-Heui et. Al.,(2013) – Evaluation on Methane Yield on Mesophelic- Dry Anaerobic

Digestion of Piggery Manure Mixed with Chaff for Agricultural Area.

Kuo J. and Dow J. (2017)- Biogas Production from anaerobic digestion of Food Waste

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Maizar Rahman (2014) -Effect of Temperature on Rumen Microbes activity to

produce Methane from Coal.

Tong Zhang et.al., (2014)- Improved Biogas Production from Chicken Manure

Anaerobic Digestion Using Cereal Residues as Co-substrates.

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Countermeasures of Large and Intermediate scale Biogas Projects in Beijing’s

Mountainous Counties