recover ratio of 107.7%, fade ratio of 6.9% and
1.61 Â 10
−1 cm
3 N
−1 m
−1 sum wear rate. Additionally,
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser
scanning microscope (CLSM) analysis suggest that cow
dung-based composite fibre has superior fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion and stable contact plateaus. Therefore,
production of cow dung reinforced composite fibre for
automotive braking system can be an environment friendly
advanced application. Due to the expensive cost of infrastructure development and maintenance, this waste conversion technology is only suitable for developed and
high-income developing nations.
5.4 Cow Dung Biochar
Biochar is a mechanical process through which biomass is
pyrolysed in a closed container in the absence of air to
produce a carbon-rich material (Nabi et al. 2014; Joardder
2017). Primary advantage of producing biochar from livestock is that it reduces waste and eliminates pathogen (Wan
et al. 2018). Additionally, numerous studies have reported
that manure-derived biochar can be used as adsorbent for
soil remediation (Kiran et al. 2017). These types of biochar
also have higher ash content and cation exchange capacity
compared to plant-derived biochar.
Qin et al. have investigated the properties of cow dung
biochar, and the factors influencing its performance (Qin
et al. 2019). According to their findings, cow dung biochar
(CDB) can be used as an inexpensive absorbent for soil
contaminants and as an alternative for landfilling. However,
without proper management of used biochar, it may desorb
the contaminants, which may cause secondary pollution.
Wan et al. have evaluated the potential of CDB for
absorbing low concentration of perchlorate from aqueous
solution. Their experiments show that based on Langmuir
model, maximum recorded absorption capacity was
1787 lg/g for ferric chloride-modified cow dung biochar
and 304 lg/g for normal CDB. Considering the production
cost, time and pollution footprint, application of cow dung as
biochar can be recommended for developing and least
developed countries.
6 Conclusion
Dairy animals, especially cows, are the most populous
livestock on earth, at any given time there almost 987.51
million of them. Sustaining such an enormous population
would be challenging in the near future due to limited energy
and water resources available to mankind. Additionally, each
year the combined cattle population generates a significant
amount of excrement, whose proper handling is a financial
and environmental challenge. Therefore, the continued
profitability, sustainability, and productivity of the livestock
industry depend to a considerable extent on the optimum
management practices of cow dung disposal. Adequate
management of cow dung should mediate the environmental
consequences of improper waste disposal as well as protect
the water and air quality of the eco-system through effective
waste treatment. Moreover, cost-effective cow dung-based
energy generation technologies have the potential to pave
the way for sustainable livestock production industry with
the potential meet its total energy requirement through its
cow dung waste.
Multi-utilisation of cow dung can generate economic
profit from excrement that is otherwise dumped on land. Due
to its compelling physio-chemical properties, cow dung has
considerable potential to be used as an excellent source of
biomass energy (see Sect. 3). However, in the current
industry, major portion of the produced cow dung is being
dumped or used as unprocessed fertiliser. This chapter thus
highlights the financial and technical challenges associated
with improper cow dung management and discusses the
opportunity for multi-utilisation of cow dung as a biomass
energy source and composite organic fertiliser. Further
research is required to integrate advance cow dung utilisation techniques with the current industry infrastructure.
Improved biomass utilisation techniques such as vermicompost, anaerobic co-digestion, production of reinforced
friction composites and biochar are recommended to expand
the multi-utilisation capacity of cow dung. While some of
the advanced utilisation techniques may prove to be
expensive, they are highly efficient and environmentally
sound. Therefore, based on the energy need and economic
conditions, advanced technologies should be chosen only
after exhaustive feasibility analysis.
Finally, energy conversion systems that use cow dung as
its primary feed should be precisely controlled to prevent
environmental pollution. Emission from these plants can
contaminate air and water with an adverse effect on human
health. Furthermore, cow dung-based biomass energy plants
will be economically feasible in regions with an abundance
of cow dung. Transportation cost, moisture content control is
the focal point of cost optimisation; therefore, the
multi-utilisation of cow dung should consider these parameters. New studies must be done to better assess the energetic
potential, optimise the operation parameters to gain better
overall system efficiency and verify the long-term sustainability for multi-utilisation of cow dung.
226
A. A. Ananno et al.
1.61 Â 10
−1 cm
3 N
−1 m
−1 sum wear rate. Additionally,
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser
scanning microscope (CLSM) analysis suggest that cow
dung-based composite fibre has superior fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion and stable contact plateaus. Therefore,
production of cow dung reinforced composite fibre for
automotive braking system can be an environment friendly
advanced application. Due to the expensive cost of infrastructure development and maintenance, this waste conversion technology is only suitable for developed and
high-income developing nations.
5.4 Cow Dung Biochar
Biochar is a mechanical process through which biomass is
pyrolysed in a closed container in the absence of air to
produce a carbon-rich material (Nabi et al. 2014; Joardder
2017). Primary advantage of producing biochar from livestock is that it reduces waste and eliminates pathogen (Wan
et al. 2018). Additionally, numerous studies have reported
that manure-derived biochar can be used as adsorbent for
soil remediation (Kiran et al. 2017). These types of biochar
also have higher ash content and cation exchange capacity
compared to plant-derived biochar.
Qin et al. have investigated the properties of cow dung
biochar, and the factors influencing its performance (Qin
et al. 2019). According to their findings, cow dung biochar
(CDB) can be used as an inexpensive absorbent for soil
contaminants and as an alternative for landfilling. However,
without proper management of used biochar, it may desorb
the contaminants, which may cause secondary pollution.
Wan et al. have evaluated the potential of CDB for
absorbing low concentration of perchlorate from aqueous
solution. Their experiments show that based on Langmuir
model, maximum recorded absorption capacity was
1787 lg/g for ferric chloride-modified cow dung biochar
and 304 lg/g for normal CDB. Considering the production
cost, time and pollution footprint, application of cow dung as
biochar can be recommended for developing and least
developed countries.
6 Conclusion
Dairy animals, especially cows, are the most populous
livestock on earth, at any given time there almost 987.51
million of them. Sustaining such an enormous population
would be challenging in the near future due to limited energy
and water resources available to mankind. Additionally, each
year the combined cattle population generates a significant
amount of excrement, whose proper handling is a financial
and environmental challenge. Therefore, the continued
profitability, sustainability, and productivity of the livestock
industry depend to a considerable extent on the optimum
management practices of cow dung disposal. Adequate
management of cow dung should mediate the environmental
consequences of improper waste disposal as well as protect
the water and air quality of the eco-system through effective
waste treatment. Moreover, cost-effective cow dung-based
energy generation technologies have the potential to pave
the way for sustainable livestock production industry with
the potential meet its total energy requirement through its
cow dung waste.
Multi-utilisation of cow dung can generate economic
profit from excrement that is otherwise dumped on land. Due
to its compelling physio-chemical properties, cow dung has
considerable potential to be used as an excellent source of
biomass energy (see Sect. 3). However, in the current
industry, major portion of the produced cow dung is being
dumped or used as unprocessed fertiliser. This chapter thus
highlights the financial and technical challenges associated
with improper cow dung management and discusses the
opportunity for multi-utilisation of cow dung as a biomass
energy source and composite organic fertiliser. Further
research is required to integrate advance cow dung utilisation techniques with the current industry infrastructure.
Improved biomass utilisation techniques such as vermicompost, anaerobic co-digestion, production of reinforced
friction composites and biochar are recommended to expand
the multi-utilisation capacity of cow dung. While some of
the advanced utilisation techniques may prove to be
expensive, they are highly efficient and environmentally
sound. Therefore, based on the energy need and economic
conditions, advanced technologies should be chosen only
after exhaustive feasibility analysis.
Finally, energy conversion systems that use cow dung as
its primary feed should be precisely controlled to prevent
environmental pollution. Emission from these plants can
contaminate air and water with an adverse effect on human
health. Furthermore, cow dung-based biomass energy plants
will be economically feasible in regions with an abundance
of cow dung. Transportation cost, moisture content control is
the focal point of cost optimisation; therefore, the
multi-utilisation of cow dung should consider these parameters. New studies must be done to better assess the energetic
potential, optimise the operation parameters to gain better
overall system efficiency and verify the long-term sustainability for multi-utilisation of cow dung.
226
A. A. Ananno et al.