Saleh, A. and Suleiman, M. L.
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13133739
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to perform a comparative study on some selected animal residues in order to explore their potential as alternative sources of energy and soil amendments. Agricultural residues are potential deposits and reservoir of energy vectors that could be used as renewable energy sources if harnessed for economic purposes. Average annual livestock residue in Nigeria was estimated at 105,007 Mt most of which were left without meaningful and appreciable economic viable management policy. The multiplication of livestock farming and aggravated accumulation of crop residues after harvest stimulates increased emission of greenhouse gases during decomposition and burning thereby encouraging rise in average global temperatures and increased greenhouse effect. Four livestock residues wastes were evaluated for their yield potentials of CH4, CO2, and N2Oat an ambient temperature (28OC). Both physical and chemical compositions of the residues were determined using standard laboratory procedures after drying at 77OC. Percent by mass (Pm), molar compositions (Mc); molar ratios (Mr.), air requirements for oxidation (Ar), chemical formulae (Cf), energy content (Ec) and potential volume of methane (Pv) available for harvest were evaluated using empirical models. Results obtained showed that poultry manure has the highest percentage of CH4 (15.51%); pig has the highest percentage of CO2 (16.62%); the N obtained for all the manures were similar, while the N2O was insignificant to make any meaningful difference. The results also shows that, horse manure has the highest percentage of 8.03% K while the amount of N, and P are similar for all the manures tested, suggesting suitable alternative composting sources for soil amendment. Overall result shows that poultry manure has the best potential energy value of 45.852 Kj/Kg.
KEYWORDS: Characterization