Evaluation of biogas production from water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) manure under tropical climate conditions

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) manure as a substrate for biogas production under tropical environmental conditions in southeastern Mexico. The manure was collected from a livestock unit in Chiapas and processed in a 64 m³ lagoon-type anaerobic digester. The substrate was characterized through proximate and elemental analyses, and its chemical formulas and theoretical biogas composition were estimated. Additionally, physicochemical parameters (pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD)) and biogas composition (CH₄, CO₂, H₂S) were monitored throughout the study. Our results indicated that buffalo manure exhibits favorable properties for anaerobic digestion, with high moisture content (>80%), adequate volatile solids, and adequate carbon and nitrogen contents. Over 14 weeks of operation, the system maintained stable conditions of pH (7.7–8.0) and redox potential (−180 to −280 mV), reflecting an efficient transition toward the methanogenic phase. COD removal efficiency reached 86.6%, with a degradation constant of k = 0.147 week⁻¹. The biogas produced showed a stable CH₄ content (58–60% v/v) and low H₂S concentrations (<22 ppm), which were eliminated after filtration, achieving calorific values up to 25.51 MJ/m³, highlighting its potential contribution to decentralized renewable energy systems in tropical rural regions.

Keywords

anaerobic digestion / calorific value / circular economy / chemical oxygen demand / methane

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