Question

Can we use slurry of human excreta instead of cowdung slurry to produce biogas in a typical biogas plant? Support your answer giving reasons.

Answer 1

Biogas is a mixture of gases (containing predominantly methane) produced by microbial activity and which may be used as fuel. certain bacteria, which grow anaerobically on cellulosic material, produce large amounts of methane along with CO₂ and H₂. These bacteria are collectively called methanogens and one such common bacterium is Methanobacterium. These bacteria are commonly found in the anaerobic sludge during sewage treatment. These bacteria are also present in the rumen (a part of the stomach) of cattle. A lot of cellulosic material present in the food of cattle is also present in the rumen.