SMALL-SCALE BIOGAS PLANT IN A DAIRY FARM

NURUL AINI M.Y., IBRAHIM C.E., SITI SALMIYAH T., SYED HUSSEIN S.A. AND KAMARUDDIN D.

A biogas plant is an anaerobic digester that produces biogas from organic materials such as animal waste, sewage slurry, vegetable waste and others. The Department of Veterinary Services had developed a small-scale biogas plant at a commercial dairy farm in Semenyih, Selangor. The objectives of this project were to promote green technology and zero waste concepts on animal farming as well as to mitigate adverse effects on the environment due to unsystematic management of animal waste disposal. The biogas produced was used as fuel for biogas lamp, biogas stove, biogas water heater, biogas rice cooker and 1 kW biogas generator. The generator was connected to the distribution board in order to supply electricity to a few switch sockets and lighting system for farm use. A biogas plant in an animal farm is one of the green technology applications because it not only produces renewable gas and generates electricity but also minimises greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Furthermore, the residual solid waste produced at the end of the process can be dried to be used as organic fertiliser.