Coal Utilization as a Growth Medium of Microbial Consortium from Dairy Cow Feces

Abstract

Abstract Many uneconomical coal mining areas which have low calorific value can be found in Kalimantan, Indonesia. In those areas, coalbed methane (CBM) mainly methane (CH4) is formed, trapped and accumulated in the pores or cleats during the lifetime coal formation. This condition can potentially be utilized as an alternative energy source. Adding a source of methanogenic bacteria and organic matter is an option to maximize methane in CBM. High carbon content causes young coal to become a source of nutrients for methane-forming microorganisms. Methanogen type microorganisms play an important role in the manufacture of CBM and they can only work on anaerobic conditions. The purpose of this research is to know the relationship between coal characteristic and coal function as microbial growth media to gas formation which can be utilized as environmentally friendly alternative energy. The research used explorative method with descriptive analysis. The research parameters were three coal characteristics, methane production, and Volatile Fatty Acids. The results indicated that coal characteristics support symbiosis and microbial growth with total bacterial counted > 1010 CFU/ml, while the amount of acetic acid larger than butyric acid and propionic acid which support sustainable methane gas formation.