Anaerobic Fermentation of Chicken Manure and Methods for Intensifying Methane Output

Abstract

A considerable share in the formation of food security of the population is occupied by the poultry industry, which is one of the most economically attractive and competitive, as evidenced by the annual steady growth dynamics of the production of valuable food products – poultry meat and eggs, characterised by high nutritional value, excellent dietary and taste qualities. The increase in poultry production leads, respectively, to the intensification of production on the one hand, and on the other hand – the accumulation of waste due to an increase in the number of poultry. One of the priority areas for solving the problem of environmental safety in the poultry industry is the processing of animal by-products through enzymatic fermentation, which yields an added energy product and organic-mineral fertiliser, thereby preventing methane emissions into the atmosphere, and therefore global warming. Therefore, the search for ways to intensify the methane output from chicken manure upon anaerobic fermentation, namely by adding various substances, was the purpose of the planned study. The experiment was conducted using laboratory, analytical, and mathematical-statistical methods. According to the results of experimental studies, a positive effect of FeO, Fe2O3 was established, Basidiomycota fungal-based bio-compositions, biologics – Meganit Nirbator, Reduklin T, Reduklin Compost and a complex preparation for activating enzymatic processes in chicken manure on the processes of anaerobic bio-fermentation and growth of methane content (CH4) from chicken manure (in vitro) against the background of an increase in the pH value to 9.05-9.3 with a simultaneous lower level of carbon dioxide (CO2). Best results for increasing the volume of CH4 output from the fermented substrate, by 15.7-18.8%, was observed in variants with a complex preparation for activating enzymatic processes in chicken manure. Application of Basidiomycota fungal-based bio-composition contributes to an increase in methane emissions from the test substrate by 5.4-9.6%, and biologics – Meganit Nirbator, Reduklin T and Reduklin Compost cause an increase in the volume of this gas output, respectively, by 5.6-9.4%, 9.5-14.2%, and 7.1-12%. Adding FeO and Fe2O3 to chicken manure causes an increase in the level of CH4 emissions by 4.1-7.4% and 5.8-11.2%, respectively. Thus, the results obtained indicate the expediency of using the studied substances in the processing of chicken manure in biogas plants to intensify the methane yield, which will minimise the adverse impact of intensive management of the poultry industry on the state of the environment