Biogas Conversion Potential of Chicken Wastes

Abstract

Poultry dressing waste is a major part of USW, which is difficult to treat both under aerobic composting and anaerobic conditions. The total chicken consumption in India is found to be 2.6 Mtpd of which 40% is non-consumable material, which needs special treatment options. Anaerobic digestion is a well-suited method for disposal of such waste and also generates energy. In this study, an attempt is made to understand the biogas production potential of various parts of chicken waste such as head, feet, skin crop, etc. The maximum biogas yield was reported for the chicken crop (680 L/kg wet waste) at 0.25% substrate concentration. For all the substrates, the maximum gas production potential was achieved at 0.25–0.5% substrate concentration. At 1–2% substrate concentration, the reduction in biogas production could be attributed to the inhibition from ammonia and LCFAs. Earlier studies have shown that AD of chicken waste was difficult due to its high protein and fat content, whereas the current study shows that AD of chicken waste is a good treatment option along with energy recovery when compared to composting and incineration. Also, co-digestion of chicken waste rich in N content with C-rich materials have the potential to increase gas yields and increase conversion efficiencies.