Distributed organic feedstock profile
Cattle Dung for CBG Plants: Collection and Quality Guide
Cattle dung is familiar to anaerobic digestion, but commercial supply is constrained by recoverability and route density. Animal population estimates do not equal delivered feedstock. Build the plan from participating sources, collection frequency, measured loads and contamination controls.
~50 t
Indicative animal dung per tonne of CBG in the cited CSE planning case; actual results vary widely.
Best fit
Plants near dense dairies, gaushalas or organized livestock clusters with reliable daily collection.
Watch closely
Scattered sources, added water, sand and bedding, route cost, inconsistent collection and double-counted availability.
Ask the supplier
How many active sources and measured daily collections support the offered quantity after existing local use?
Convert livestock estimates into collectable supply
A credible dung plan starts at source level. Existing household use, grazing patterns, cleaning practices and source participation determine what can be collected, while daily route performance determines what reaches the plant.
- List active dairies, gaushalas and collection points with conservative daily quantities.
- Separate theoretical generation, committed volume, collected volume and plant-accepted volume.
- Pilot routes before scaling infrastructure or CBG offtake commitments.
Collection quality and route economics
Water, sand, bedding and foreign material can alter weight and handling. Acceptance should use an agreed source and sampling process while logistics are tracked per accepted tonne, not just per vehicle trip.
- Define permitted cleaning water and prohibited contamination with source operators.
- Use sealed or suitable transport and clean collection containers according to local requirements.
- Track route distance, collection time, delivered weight and rejection by source.
Stable operations need source discipline
Regular collection can support daily digestion, but composition still varies with source practice and season. Source onboarding, measurement and feedback are part of feedstock management.
- Use representative characterization selected by the plant lab rather than a single commissioning sample.
- Create corrective-action and suspension rules for repeated contamination.
- Reforecast route supply when source participation or competing use changes.
Evidence before commitment
Decision and proof matrix
Convert each commercial claim into evidence that procurement, operations and finance can review together.
| Decision factor | Operating guidance | Minimum proof |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverability | Count participating, accessible sources only. | Source roster, collection logs and existing-use survey. |
| Contamination | Control water, sand, bedding and foreign matter. | Sampling record, source score and rejection log. |
| Route density | Test collection cost per accepted tonne. | GPS route, time, fuel and weighbridge reconciliation. |
| Continuity | Monitor source participation every day. | Planned versus collected dashboard by route/source. |
Execution checklist
Before this feedstock enters the production plan
Assign an owner and evidence date to every item. A verbal supplier assurance should not close a readiness check.
- 1Complete a source-by-source recoverability survey.
- 2Pilot each route for quantity, time and contamination before contracting scale.
- 3Document any existing household, farm or competing use.
- 4Train source operators on collection and prohibited material.
- 5Reconcile added water and accepted solids through the plant test plan.
- 6Maintain backup routes and escalation for missed daily collection.
Sources and limits
These sources support sector context and planning references. Figures are indicative, not a supplier guarantee or plant design specification. Validate local supply, laboratory characteristics, process compatibility and applicable legal requirements with qualified professionals.
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Turn this guide into a plant-specific sourcing plan.
Share plant capacity, location, preferred feedstocks and storage constraints with the URJA SETU procurement team.