Characterization and evaluation of biogas generation of Arba Minch Town slaughterhouse wastewater, Ethiopia

This study was carried out to characterize raw and treated Arba Minch town slaughterhouse wastewater and to assess its methane generation potential with lab-scale anaerobic batch reactors. The methane was collected by downward displacement of an alkaline water column. The methane generation potential of the slaughterhouse wastewater was 270.6 mL methane per gram of volatile solids at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20 days at 37 ° C. The organic loading rate was 0.48 g COD L:d and the organic matter removal efficiency of the reactor was COD (93.5%), BOD5 (88.5%), and TVS (94.7%). The result demonstrated that installation of a biogas reactor to treat slaughterhouse wastewater can recover methane, reduce pollutants and protect the environment. The result can be a demonstration for untreated slaughterhouse wastewaters in developing countries like Arba Minch Town to use anaerobic treatment and supplement their scarce energy options.