PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METHANE GAS USING COW DUNG AND MORINGA LEAVES FROM BIODIGESTER

ABSTRACT Methane-rich biogas production from cow dung and Moringa Oleifera leaves was evaluated using anaerobic digestion in a laboratory-scale biodigester. Digestion was conducted over a 30-day hydraulic retention period, with biogas yield measured at three-day intervals. Three substrate ratios were investigated: cow dung only (100:0), cow dung–moringa leaves (70:30), and cow dung–moringa leaves (30:70), to assess the influence of co-digestion on gas yield and composition. Cumulative biogas yields of 3553.79 g, 3601.86 g, and 3578.74 g were recorded for the 100:0, 70:30, and 30:70 ratios, respectively, by day 27. Maximum daily biogas production occurred on day 15 for all systems, with peak yields of 375.98 g (100:0), 380.77 g (70:30), and 377.65 g (30:70), indicating optimal methanogenic activity during the mid-digestion phase. Gas chromatography analysis showed methane concentrations of 78.6%, 76.8%, and 71.5% for the respective substrate ratios, while carbon dioxide ranged from 20.4% to 27.4% and trace gases remained below 1.1%. The results demonstrate that cow dung–Moringa Oleifera co-digestion produces stable, high-quality biogas and represents an effective waste-to-energy strategy for renewable energy generation and sustainable waste management.