Assessment of the Biogas Potential by the Methanization of the Corn Crops in the Prefecture of Kindia (Guinea)

The aim of this research is to assess the energy potential of cow dung and corn cob inputs, with a view to estimating their biogas potential. The inputs were characterized in the microbiology laboratory of the National Control Office Quality in Matoto, Conakry. The experiment to produce methane from cow dung and maize cob was carried out at the Applied Research in Natural Sciences Laboratory of the University of Kindia (UK) using the following equipment: Three digesters were each connected to an air chamber (gasometer) by means of flexible pipes 8 mm in diameter, connected by clamps, liquid adhesives, valves and Teflon. This research focused on determining the quantity of biogas contained in each type of substrate (cow dung, maize cob and their mixture). Three experiments on the methanization of these inputs were carried out, with anaerobic digestion lasting 27 days, in a temperature range of 27 °C to 31 °C (mesophilic range). The results were as follows: maize cob 28.4 L, cow dung 22.6 L and codigestion 38.7 L. These results compared with similar studies revealed a coincidence.