Respirometric index as a tool for biogas generation production from poultry manure

Purpose – In the EU, over the past three decades, poultry production has been growing around the 5 percent per year. This increase determined a higher volume of livestock and poultry farming waste, which represents a potential renewable fuel suitable for waste to energy conversion. One way is through biological process such as the dry anaerobic digestion (AD). Tests normally applied for the measurement of the anaerobic biogas potential (ABP) are reliable, but not feasible as a routine analysis. This kind of test is expensive and time consuming (21-100 days). The purpose of this paper is to propose a rapid method for assessing the potential of biogas in anaerobic poultry manure, with the goal of helping the choices of operators of AD. Design/methodology/approach – The Dynamic Respiration Index was calculated as “key parameter” in order to estimate the ABP, which provides important information about the biogas generation for the poultry manure. Furthermore, two dynamic respirometric approaches were considered developed in two Italian universities. The main difference between them is the control of temperature. Findings – Calculate ABP through IRD is a useful method to determine the value of the potential production of biogas of different biomasses in a short time and assess which one is more productive. Originality/value – The methodology presented in this study is fast (one-five days) and alternative method to determinate the ABP, above all for the operators of AD plant.