RMTU-College of Engineering RMTU Engineering Research Journal

RMTU Engg. Res. Journ. 01 (2016) A001003 (4pp)

Portable Backyard Biogas Digester Using Pig

Manure as Substrate
Eduardo Dagsaan, Angel Bert A. Merete, Ryan E. Mejala and *Melissa Manglicmot-Ebue

Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering,

Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, Iba, Zambales 2201 Philippines

*Corresponding author: melissa_manglicmot@yahoo.com

Abstract
Fossil fuel is the most known energy source. Yet, because it is rare to find and hundreds of years to form, scientists
and engineers are searching for alternatives. Renewable energy sources are of vast need nowadays due to climate
change. It is assumed to replace fossil fuels to reduce the effect of heat emission to the earth’s atmosphere. However,
the process of acquiring, storage and utilization of renewable energies are not known to many. For that reason, this
study aims to construct a portable biogas digester using pig manure as substrate to contribute in the awareness and
usage of a renewable source of energy called biogas. A feasibility study was conducted to establish guidance in the
construction of the biogas digester made of plastic containers. Results of field studies and mathematical calculations
showed that substrate ratio of 1:1 (10 kilograms pig manure is to 10 litres of water) could produce small amount of
biogas. Presence of biogas in the collector chamber was determined using weighing scale and Bunsen burner.

Keywords: Biogas, Renewable Energy, Portable Digester, Pig Manure, Substrate Ratio

1. Introduction atmosphere. Thus, engineers, scientists and

The world is experiencing catastrophes due to
climate change. In this regard, mankind is
investigating its causes and prevention. One of
the known reasons is the heat emission to the
Earth’s atmosphere due to burning of fossil fuels.
In spite of this, humanity is still using fossil fuels
as energy source. Fossil fuel reserves are
decreasing while global energy requirement is
swiftly increasing. Due to population growth and
vast technology development, energy sources for
future use are depleting. Thus, todays challenge
is to find ways of acquiring sources of energies
for future consumption with less negative
environmental impact [1].
The use of renewable energies therefore is
encouraged. As defined, renewable energy (RE)
is a clean form energy that was generated from
n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s s u ch a s s o l a r , w i n d ,
hydropower, wave and tidal power, biomass and
geothermal [2]. Renewable energy assumed to
replace fuelled power plants and machines to
reduce the effect of heat emission to the earth’s
inventors are continuing in their exploration of
the sources and uses of renewable energies. Since
2004, global awareness on the renewable energy
usage had considerably shifted. Over the last
decade, advancement on the renewable energy
technologies shows its achievable potential. On
2013, studies on the renewable forms of energies
had evolved further knowing its potential [3].
In addition, the utilization of sustainable
energy sources would contribute in the
preservation of the planet. A sustainable energy
resource that has been naturally regenerated from
organic processes called biomass could be used
as substitute for fossil fuels. Biomass could be
burned directly for heating and cooking or
processed again for engine use [4]. As a
consequence of depleting oil reserves, increasing
crude oil prices and greenhouse effect, a
renewable biofuel called biogas is a must [5].
An agricultural engineer named Dr. Felix D.
Maramba introduced the biogas technology in the
Philippines in 1965. Dr. Madamba is the founder
of the Maya Farm Biogas Model. Experts from

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 Portable Backyard Biogas Digester Using Pig Manure as Substrate
different Philippine government agencies had
studied different foreign and local biogas plants
thereafter. In April 9, 2002, the DSAC Biogas
Digester Model (which was granted by the
Bureau of Patent with Registration No.: UM
2199715098) was created. This biogas plant was
based from foreign models [6].
Also, the increasing environmental issues
such as waste elimination in the Philippines are
evident. Animal (ie. Hogs, chickens, quails,
ducks, cows) production signifies a major
contributing factor to air, water and soil pollution
in the country. Processing of animal manure to
produce biogas through anaerobic digestion
would help in pollution elimination.
biochemical process called anaerobic digestion
was used in the biogas production. This
biochemical process consists of microbial
conversion of organic materials in order to
generate biogas. Usually, biogas is contains 50-
70% methane (CH4) and 30-50% carbon dioxide
(CO2) with trace amounts of other compounds
[7]. Similarly, biogas produced through the help
of anaerobic bacteria to execute anaerobic
decomposition of organic wastes. Ambient
condition affects the production of the methane
gas that is present in biogas. Given that the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
specifically CO2 has been globally important, the
use of biogas as an alternative fuel should be
encouraged. Utilization of biogas plants could
prevent CO2 emission in the atmosphere [8].
1.1 Research Objectives
Usage and promotion of biogas is beneficial to
the planet Earth and its inhabitants. Hence, the
researchers’ main objective is to design and
construct a portable biogas digester using pig
manure as substrate. The specific objectives are
to determine the production of biogas using 10
kilogram of pig manure and 10 litres of water and
to verify if the produced biogas of the portable
biogas digester is flammable.
2. Methodology
2.1 Materials
The researchers conducted a feasibility study
in the identification of the needed materials, tools
and equipment for the fabrication of the biogas
digester and testing of the system. The
researchers used (10 gallons) cylindrical water
container, 6 litres water bottle and “palamig” jug
for the digester and collector chamber. For
piping, rubber hose was used to connect the
digestion chamber, biogas collector chamber and
the Bunsen burner. A plastic gate valve was used
to control the flow of biogas from the collector
chamber to the Bunsen burner.
The thermometer and Bunsen burner used in
the study was borrowed from the Ramon
Magsaysay Technological University - College
of Arts and Sciences. The weighing scale and
cutting tools (such as cutting blades, knife, saw
A and hammer) were brought by the researchers
from their homes.
2.2 Design
Construction of the digester and biogas
collector was based on the schematic diagram as
shown in Figure 1. Afterwards, field study was
carried out in backyard of one of the researcher at
the Sta. Barbara, Iba, Zambales. Pig manure was
collected from a farm at Pangolingan, Palauig,
Zambales. Ten kilogram (10 kg) of pig manure
and ten litres (10 L) of water mixture was poured
in the digester chamber and tightly sealed.
During the stocking period, environment
temperature was checked using thermometer, as
shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1. Schematic of the portable biogas
digester design
The constructed portable biogas digester with
pig manure is shown in Figure 3. The digestion
chamber contains ten kilogram (10kg) of pig
manure and ten litres (10L) of water. The stocked
water and pig manure in the digestion chamber is
the source of the biogas that was collected in the
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 E. Dagsaan, A.B. Merete, R.E. Mejala, and M.M. Ebue

Figure 2: Photos of the bunsen burner (left), Figure 3: Constructed portable biogas digester
thermometer (middle), and weighing scale (right) with pig manure
used in the test.

50
45
40
Temperature (°C)

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Figure 4: Recorded temperature (2nd Day of Substrate Stocking)

biogas collector. The digester chamber is the 3. Results and Discussions

container wherein the fermentation of the
substrate happens.
Produced biogas in the digester chamber
would be stored in the collector chamber through
the rubber hose. From the collector, if needed, the
biogas would be combusted in a Bunsen burner
through the output rubber hose. A plastic gate
valve control the flow of biogas into the Bunsen
burner.
The biogas collector was weighed before-
and-after three days stocking period to determine
the weight of the biogas. During harvest (after
three days of stocking period), flame was checked
under the low-level controller of the Bunsen
burner and assess the time using cellular phone
timer.
3.1 Temperature
The environment temperature was measured
through a thermometer. Recorded data is shown
in Figure 4. The data shows that the minimum
and maximum temperatures during the second
day of biogas production are twenty four and a
half degrees Celsius (24.5 ⁰C) and forty three
degrees Celsius (43 ⁰C), respectively.
The average temperature of the day is thirty
degrees Celsius (30 ⁰C) which is the normal
environment temperature for the month of
January.
3.2 Combusting Time
Using analog weighing scale, Bunsen burner
and timer, Table 1 shows that the biogas produce

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 Portable Backyard Biogas Digester Using Pig Manure as Substrate
Figure 5: Flame produced through collected
biogas
TABLE 1
PERIOD OF COMBUSTION OF THE COLLECTED BIOGAS
IN A LOW LEVEL FLAME
Biogas Combustion
Harvest
(g) Time (s)
1 50 381
2 60 387
in harvest 1 is 50 grams and the combustion time
is 381 seconds. In harvest 2, the biogas produce
within three days is 60 grams and the combustion
time is 387 seconds. The average time of
combustion is 384 seconds.
The flame produced through the collected
biogas, as shown in Figure 5. Results show that
the three days stocking of pig manure on the
portable biogas digester could produce blue flame
in a low level flame control of the Bunsen burner
for 384 seconds.
4. Conclusion and Recommendation
Based on the study, the researchers conclude
that construction of the portable biogas digester is
feasible using the available materials in the
locale. The researchers found out that within
three days of stocking of pig manure in digester
can collect 50 to 60 grams of biogas using 1:1
ratio (10 kilograms of pig manure by 10 litres of
water) under 30 ̊C environment temperature.
For a better result of this study, it is
recommended to resize the construction of
collector to hold a large amount of biogas,
another study about the different substrate and
ratio of manure and water that can produce more
biogas and new design of portable biogas digester
for household use.
References
[1] F.C. Ertem, “Improving Biogas Production
by Anaerobic Digestion of Different
Substrates - Calculation of Potential Energy
Outcomes”, Master Thesis, Applied Envi.
Sci., Halmstad Univ., 2011
[2] Encouraging Renewable Energy
Development: A Handbook for International
Energy Regulators, National Association of
Regulatory Utility Commissioners, 2011, pp.
12
[3] Renewables 2014 Global Status Report,
Renewable Energy Policy Network REN21
Secretariat for the 21st Century c/o UNEP, 15
rue de Milan, 75441 Paris, France, 2014
[4] R. Ferry and E. Monoian. (February 2012). A
Field Guide to Renewable Energy
Technologies (1st edition). [Online].
Available: www.landartgenerator.org
[5] T. Kunatsa et al., “Feasibility Study of
Biogas Production from Water Hyacinth A
Case of Lake Chivero – Harare, Zimbabwe,”
Int. J. of Eng. and Technology, vol. 3 No. 2,
pp. 119, Feb. 2013
[6] Cavite State University Affiliated Renewable
Energy Center. (2016, April 18). Biogas
Technology in the Philippines [Online].
Available:
http://www.biogastechnologyphils.com/inde
x.php/historical-devt
[7] P. Lung, “Solid-state Anaerobic Digestion
for Integrated Ethanol
Production,”M.S.thesis, Dept. Chemical and
Biological Eng., Saskatchewan Univ.,
Saskatoon, Canada, 2011
[8] R. P. Agrahari and G. N. Tiwari, “The
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pp. 408, Dec. 2013