Futuristic biogas plant powered by chicken manure

From Chicken Manure to Clean Energy: How to Make Biogas?

Rhea Morgan in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the potential of chicken manure in anaerobic digestion! Transform waste into renewable energy with our easy guide to biogas production."

Methane formation, a natural process catalyzed by anaerobic microorganisms, breaks down organic matter to produce methane and carbon dioxide. You'll find it occurring in ecosystems and in human-engineered setups. This transformation, vital for generating biogas, involves hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis.

Effective methane formation requires specific environmental conditions and diverse microbial groups. Key factors include an anaerobic atmosphere, optimal temperature and pH, a balanced chemical composition of the substrate (including the C/N ratio), and the absence of inhibitory substances. When these parameters are in harmony, microorganisms can efficiently convert organic wastes into valuable biogas.

Excess ammonium nitrogen, a common inhibitor in methane production, is particularly prevalent in poultry manure. In this article, we’ll dig into how chicken manure introduction affects the biodiversity and performance of anaerobic digesters, providing practical insights for optimizing biogas production. Discover how to turn waste into a renewable energy source!

Why Chicken Manure Matters for Biogas Production?

Futuristic biogas plant powered by chicken manure

Chicken manure is abundant, making it a super attractive alternative to conventional substrates in biogas production. The only caveat is its high ammonium nitrogen content, which can disrupt the methane production process if not carefully managed. Understanding how to navigate this issue is crucial for maximizing biogas yields.

Ammonia inhibition occurs through several mechanisms. It changes the intracellular pH, increases maintenance energy requirement, and inhibits specific enzyme reactions. It’s like throwing a wrench in the gears of the microbial engine. Free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) and ammonium ion (NH4+) are the primary forms of inorganic ammonia nitrogen in solution. The hydrophobic ammonia molecule diffuses into the cell, which can lead to proton imbalance and potassium deficiency. And guess who's most sensitive? The methanogens.

Here’s what the research mentioned in the original article, and why these points matter:

Syntrophic Bacteria: These were notably absent, limiting the succession of some methanogenic microorganisms, particularly hydrogenotrophs.
Methanosaeta Dependence: The effectiveness of the consortium was highly dependent on the metabolic activity of the acetoclastic Methanosaeta genus.
Inhibition Levels: Inhibition of methanogenesis was observed at an ammonium nitrogen concentration of 3.68 g/L, with total cessation at 5.45 g/L.
Acetic Acid Accumulation: Significant amounts of acetic acid accompanied the inhibition in the fermentation pulp.

To ensure effective biogas production, the goal is either to remove ammonium nitrogen from the substrate or to develop microbial consortia tolerant to high NH3 levels. Also, choosing the right co-substrate is essential for correcting the C/N ratio of the fermentation pulp. While the C/N ratio in poultry manure is around 1:10, monofermentation requires it to be at least 1:25. Poultry manure is an abundant and economically viable solution for this problematic waste, waiting for you to unlock the potential by using biogas plants

The Future of Biogas: Clean Energy from Chicken Manure

Ultimately, harnessing poultry manure for biogas production offers an exciting opportunity to transform troublesome waste into a valuable resource. The research underscores the importance of microbial community and process optimization for efficient methane production. This helps create a path for creating a greener, more sustainable energy future. Let's leverage innovative technology and waste management strategies for a cleaner environment. If done right, clean energy revolution lies in our ability to tap into the potential of resources like chicken manure.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2018.11.002, Alternate LINK

Title: The Effect Of Introduction Of Chicken Manure On The Biodiversity And Performance Of An Anaerobic Digester

Subject: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Journal: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Michał Świątek, Andrzej Lewicki, Daria Szymanowska, Piotr Kubiak

Published: 2019-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key steps involved in converting chicken manure into biogas, and why is each step important?

Biogas production from chicken manure involves four key stages: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis. In hydrolysis, complex organic matter is broken down into simpler compounds. Acidogenesis converts these compounds into volatile fatty acids. Acetogenesis then transforms these acids into acetic acid, a crucial precursor for methanogenesis. Finally, methanogenesis utilizes acetic acid to produce methane, the primary component of biogas. Optimizing each stage is essential for maximizing biogas yield.

How does ammonium nitrogen inhibit methane production in anaerobic digesters, and what are the specific mechanisms involved?

Ammonium nitrogen can inhibit methane production by disrupting the intracellular pH, increasing maintenance energy requirements for microorganisms, and inhibiting specific enzyme reactions. Free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) diffuses into microbial cells, causing proton imbalance and potassium deficiency, which particularly affects methanogens. High concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, such as 3.68 g/L, can inhibit methanogenesis, while 5.45 g/L can cause total cessation. Addressing ammonium inhibition is crucial for efficient biogas production from chicken manure.

What strategies can be employed to enhance biogas production from chicken manure, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by its high ammonium nitrogen content?

To improve biogas production from chicken manure, you can either remove ammonium nitrogen from the substrate or cultivate microbial consortia tolerant to high NH3 levels. Co-substrates are used to adjust the C/N ratio of the fermentation pulp, as chicken manure typically has a C/N ratio of around 1:10, while monofermentation requires it to be at least 1:25. Research also suggests the importance of syntrophic bacteria and Methanosaeta for effective methane production. Implementing these strategies enhances the biogas yields and overall performance of anaerobic digestion systems.

According to research, what specific factors limit biogas production from chicken manure, and how do these factors impact the overall efficiency of the process?

Research indicated that the absence of syntrophic bacteria limited the succession of methanogenic microorganisms, especially hydrogenotrophs. The process was heavily dependent on the acetoclastic Methanosaeta genus. Inhibition of methanogenesis occurred at an ammonium nitrogen concentration of 3.68 g/L, leading to total cessation at 5.45 g/L, accompanied by significant acetic acid accumulation. These findings highlight the delicate balance required within the microbial consortium for optimal biogas production and the specific challenges posed by high ammonium nitrogen levels.

What is the potential impact of utilizing chicken manure for biogas production on sustainability and the environment, and what steps are needed to fully realize this potential?

Using chicken manure for biogas production can turn problematic waste into a valuable renewable energy resource, promoting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Optimizing the microbial community and process is essential for efficient methane production. Addressing the challenges associated with high ammonium nitrogen levels in chicken manure can unlock the potential of this abundant resource, contributing to a greener environment and reduced reliance on conventional energy sources. Further research and development in innovative technology and waste management strategies are crucial for maximizing the benefits of biogas production from chicken manure.