The Role of Rumen Fluid as A Source of Methanogenic Bacteria on Coalbed Methane Activation

CBM is highly potential as a source of renewable energy that can be activated with methanogenic bacteria. The rumen content is a waste of slaughterhouse can be utilized as a source of methanogenic bacteria. The aims to study the role of rumen fluid as a source of methanogenic bacteria in activating coal bed methane. Descriptive research method using 2 types of media consist of standard media (A) and enriched media (B). The application of rumen fluids for CBM activators are lignite, sub-bituminous, and bituminous coal in biogenic fermentation. The inoculum dose was observed at levels 6% of rumen media. The technique for counting microbes is through Total Plate Count in anaerobic Hungate tube. VFAs production was measured by titration method and methane production was analysed by gas chromatography (GC). All of parameter observed was measured on days 0, 2, 10, and 15. The highest number of anaerobic bacteria was found on day 10 and methane production was found on day 15. The highest production of VFA and methane occurred in biogenic fermentation of lignite. The results showed that the contents of rumen have the potential for the activation of coal bed methane in biogenic fermentation. (paper)