Abstract

Increase in prices of cooking gas and the need to keep our environments clean makes research on biogas from wastes very useful. The study was carried out to use animal wastes mixed with empty bunches of oil palm fruits (EBPF) to generate gases that can be used for cooking. The cow dung was mixed with EBPF in the ratio 4:0, 4:1, 2:1 and 1:1. The microorganisms were isolated using standard method and allowed to act on it over 5 weeks at room temperature, 27oC, 30 oC and 35 oC. The gases collected were subjected to laboratory analysis using Gas Chromatography (GC) with a thermal conductivity detector. The results showed that average % by volume of methane recorded for each of the ratio are 57.6±1.74 %, 52.2±1. 56 %, 25.3±2.38 % and 9.66±0. 817 % respectively. The more EBPF added the less gas of interest produced. Analysis of residue showed % N, P, K, and Mg to be 0.409±0.349 %, 0.113±0.126 %, 0.978±0.817 %, and 0.224±0.192 % respectively which implies materials that can be incorporated in soil amendment. Removing empty bunches of oil palm fruits from the environment to generate gas reduces environmental pollution caused by burning.