การผลิตก๊าซชีวภาพจากมูลช้างโดยกระบวนการหมักแบบไม่ใช้ออกซิเจน

Abstract

Thailand is famous for elephant camp tourist attraction. Therefore, an appropriate technology is required to manage elephant dung problem. This research presented the biogas production by anaerobic fermentation of elephant dung which can be used as a source of lignocellulosic material. Fresh elephant dung was diluted with water to obtain elephant dung leachate with a various ratio of dung: water of 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. The batch fermentation was carried out under anaerobic fermentation for 60 days using fresh elephant dung and elephant dung leachate to select conditions for gas production from elephant dung in the semi-continuous system. From the experimental results, the ratio of dung: water of 1:2 was selected due to the high methane yield production. The 50 liters semi-continuous fermentation system using elephant dung leachate was carried out for 120 days with an organic loading rate of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg VS/m3•d. The result found that an organic loading rate of 1.5 kg VS/m3•d could produce highest yield. This research revealed that elephant dung had potential to produce biogas to enable the conversion of waste-to-energy concept. The results of this research will benefit the development of biogas production systems in elephant camps. This is the integration of research into local development to create a good quality of life and local people can be self-reliant in a sustainable way.