Vol. 10, Issue 3 (2021)

Author(s):
Shradha Shetty, John Abraham, Balusami C, Sabin George and Renuka Nayar

Abstract:
A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of climate on the production and composition of biogas in two different types of digesters viz., single stage (D₁) and two stage (D₂) digesters for a period of one year. The data collected was analysed using two-way ANOVA and the results revealed that the ambient temperature had greater influence on biogas production. The biogas production was highest in two stage digester than single stage digester in all seasons. The biogas production was significantly highest during summer season (1.74 ± 0.05 in D₁ and 1.98 ± 0.06 m³/d in D₂) while least during winter season (0.73 ± 0.03 in D₁ and 0.97 ± 0.03 m³/d in D₂). The concentration of methane was also highest during summer (52% in D₁ and 58% in D₂) followed by monsoon (51% in D₁ and 56% in D₂) and least during winter season (48% in D₁ and 53% in D₂). Thus, climate had greater influence on both production and composition of biogas and in order to maintain optimum production throughout the year, it is necessary to provide digester heating.