Potential of biogas production from swine manure in South Korea

This study is to compare biogas potentials with the theoretical methane yields of swine manure from livestock farm (LF) and in situ biogasification facilities treating swine manure. In the case of LF, theoretical methane yield based on VS and CODcr by element analysis was 0.39 Sm 3 CH 4 /kg and 30.96 Sm 3 CH 4 /ton, respectively. For the in situ biogasification facilities, theoretical methane yield based on VS and CODcr by element analysis was 0.30 Sm 3 CH 4 /kg and 8.28 Sm 3 CH 4 /ton, respectively. Theoretical methane yields based on the weight of swine manure from LF were about three times higher than those from in situ facilities (ISF). As a result, when swine manure has reached the ISF, the decrement of about 24.5–73.3% in the methane yield could be seen due to the 3–6-month stationing of swine manure in the storage tank of LF. In order to improve the biogasification efficiency of swine manure, it is important to maintain high concentration of swine manure during the collection process from LF.