The required characteristics of ensiled crops used as a feedstock for biogas production: a review

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Kalač
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Starch Content ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Cobalt Nickel ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Low Nitrogen ◽  
Biological Nature

The required characteristics of ensiled crops used as a feedstock for biogas production: a reviewMaize and grass silages are the main feedstock for anaerobic digestion in agricultural biogas plants. High-quality silage is necessary for high methane yields. Grasses should be cut and ensiled at leafy stages, until full heading, prior to an extensive lignification. Late ripening maize varieties should be harvested towards full ripening due to the increasing starch content in grains, and early to medium ripening varieties at the end of waxy ripeness. The substrate availability for methanogens is improved by fine chopping. Pretreatment processes of a thermal, chemical or biological nature attempting to disrupt lignocellulosic matter are economically demanding, including the application of enzyme hydrolysing structural polysaccharides. Application of lactic acid bacteria inoculants at ensiling seems to have an insignificant effect on methane yields. Some micronutrients necessary for methanogens growth are often deficient in the silages and particularly cobalt, nickel and iron should be supplemented. Maize silage has too low nitrogen content for methanogens growth. The high acidity of silage needs to be partially neutralised prior to anaerobic digestion.

scholarly journals Cellulase effect on anaerobic digestion of maize silage under discontinuous operation

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 951-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deny Oliva-Merencio ◽  
Ileana Pereda-Reyes ◽  
Ulrike Schimpf ◽  
Stefan Koehler ◽  
Ariovaldo J. da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Batch Process ◽  
Kinetic Approach ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Infinite Time ◽  
Anaerobic Process ◽  
Natural Size ◽  
Biodegradability Test

ABSTRACT This paper studied the effect of adding an enzyme (ellulose) on anaerobic digestion of maize silage. We compared materials at chopping lengths of 8 mm (MSL), 4mm (MSS) and natural size (Ms) under a mesophilic and discontinuous operation (batch process). Hence, we found the process to be significantly influenced by particle size. Moreover, the ellulose addition did not significantly impact biogas production after a 35-day digestion period. Ms and MSS displayed an improved response to all variables when compared with MSL and MSL+C, with significant differences. Studies on the refractory fraction at infinite time (R0) have demonstrated that the lowest values correspond to Ms and MSS (0.122 and 0.155, respectively). The Kinetic approach and the Ultimate Biodegradability test are useful tools to evaluate the effect of the addition of an enzyme to the anaerobic process.

scholarly journals Geospatial Analysis and Environmental Impact Assessment of a Holistic and Interdisciplinary Approach to the Biogas Sector

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5374
Author(s):  
Robert Bedoić ◽  
Goran Smoljanić ◽  
Tomislav Pukšec ◽  
Lidija Čuček ◽  
Davor Ljubas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biogas Production ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Alternative Pathways ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
The Impact

Crop-based biogas energy production, in combination with electricity generation under subsidy schemes, is no longer considered a favourable business model for biogas plants. Switching to low-cost or gate fee feedstocks and utilising biogas via alternative pathways could contribute to making existing plants fit for future operations and could open up new space for further expansion of the biogas sector. The aim of this study was to combine a holistic and interdisciplinary approach for both the biogas production side and the utilisation side to evaluate the impact of integrating the biogas sector with waste management systems and energy systems operating with a high share of renewable energy sources. The geospatial availability of residue materials from agriculture, industry and municipalities was assessed using QGIS software for the case of Northern Croatia with the goal of replacing maize silage in the operation of existing biogas plants. Furthermore, the analysis included positioning new biogas plants, which would produce renewable gas. The overall approach was evaluated through life cycle assessment using SimaPro software to quantify the environmental benefits and identify the bottlenecks of the implemented actions. The results showed that the given feedstocks could replace 212 GWh of biogas from maize silage in the relevant region and create an additional 191 GWh of biomethane in new plants. The LCA revealed that the proposed measures would contribute to the decarbonisation of natural gas by creating environmental benefits that are 36 times greater compared to a business-as-usual concept. The presented approach could be of interest to stakeholders in the biogas sector anywhere in the world to encourage further integration of biogas technologies into energy and environmental transitions.

scholarly journals Operational Parameters of Biogas Plants: A Review and Evaluation Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Nsair ◽  
Senem Onen Cinar ◽  
Ayah Alassali ◽  
Hani Abu Qdais ◽  
Kerstin Kuchta
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Digestion Process ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Main Factors

The biogas production technology has improved over the last years for the aim of reducing the costs of the process, increasing the biogas yields, and minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions. To obtain a stable and efficient biogas production, there are several design considerations and operational parameters to be taken into account. Besides, adapting the process to unanticipated conditions can be achieved by adequate monitoring of various operational parameters. This paper reviews the research that has been conducted over the last years. This review paper summarizes the developments in biogas design and operation, while highlighting the main factors that affect the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process. The study’s outcomes revealed that the optimum operational values of the main parameters may vary from one biogas plant to another. Additionally, the negative conditions that should be avoided while operating a biogas plant were identified.

scholarly journals Elevated biogas production from the anaerobic co-digestion of farmhouse waste: Insight into the process performance and kinetics

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 1240-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyridon Achinas ◽  
Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Ternary Mixtures ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Process Performance ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Batch Tests ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

The biodegradable portion of solid waste generated in farmhouses can be treated for energy recovery with small portable biogas plants. This action can be done across the Netherlands and all around the planet. This study aims to appraise the performance of anaerobic digestion of different wastes (cow manure, food waste and garden waste) obtained from a regional farmhouse. Batch reactors were established under mesophilic conditions in order to investigate the impact of ternary mixtures on the anaerobic digestion process performance. Different mixing ratios were set in the batch tests. The upshots from the experiments connoted that ternary digestion with cow manure:food waste:garden waste mixing ratio of 40:50:10 yielded higher biogas amount. The kinetics’ results showed quite good congruence with the experimental study. The results from the kinetic analysis appeared to be in line with the experimental one.

The valuation of malnutrition in the mono-digestion of maize silage by anaerobic batch tests

2008 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 1453-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Hinken ◽  
I. Urban ◽  
E. Haun ◽  
I. Urban ◽  
D. Weichgrebe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Trace Element Content ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Batch Tests

Anaerobic digestion is a technology which is used to produce methane from organic solids and energy crops. Especially in recent years, the fermentation of energy crops has become more and more important because of increasing costs for energy and special benefits for renewable energy sources in Germany. Anaerobic bacteria require macro and micro nutrients to grow. Absence of these elements can inhibit the anaerobic process significantly. In particular mono-substrates like maize or certain industrial wastewater often cannot provide all required nutrients. For this reason this research investigates the influence of substrate and trace elements on anaerobic digestion in detail. Different agricultural anaerobic biomasses are analysed with special regard to their trace element content. Based on these results, the influence of three trace elements (iron, cobalt, and nickel) on anaerobic digestion was studied in anaerobic batch tests at different sludge loading rates and for different substrates (maize and acetate). Biogas production was found to be 35% for maize silage and up to 70% higher for acetate with trace element dosage than in the reference reactor.

Use of near infrared spectroscopy in monitoring of volatile fatty acids in anaerobic digestion

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Fabian Jacobi ◽  
Christian R. Moschner ◽  
Eberhard Hartung
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Propionic Acid ◽  
Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Plants

Recently biogas production from agricultural sources has rapidly developed. Therefore the demands on biogas plants to optimise the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process have grown immensely. At present there is no online-supervision tool available to monitor the AD process, but costly and time-consuming chemical analyses are necessary. The possibility to use near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in order to track relevant process parameters like total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic acid and propionic acid was investigated in the present research project. A NIR-sensor was integrated into a full-scale 1 MW biogas plant and NIR-spectra of the fermenter contents were recorded semi-continuously for 500 days. Weekly samples were taken and analysed for the above mentioned parameters. Calibration models were calculated, capable of following these parameters: VFA (r2=0.94), acetic acid (r2=0.69), propionic acid (r2=0.89).

scholarly journals Evaluation of Biogas Production through Anaerobic Digestion of Aquatic Macrophytes in a Brazilian Reservoir

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
R. Nagipe da Silva Paulo ◽  
A. Viana Gusmão Vieira ◽  
P. Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Aquatic Macrophytes ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Hydroelectric Plant ◽  
Lignin Content ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Pistia Stratiotes ◽  
Stainless Steel Reactor ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Pre Treatment

Aquatic macrophytes are important components of aquatic habitats. However, the overgrowth of aquatic plants can cause severe problems for the management of bodies of water. As a result, these plants must be removed and disposed of as waste. However, the usage of this biomass as a substrate in biogas plants would appear to be more beneficial. The present work deals with the anaerobic digestion (AD) of macrophytes species that cause inconvenience to power generation at hydroelectric plant in Minas Gerais - Brazil. The study examines the following macrophytes species; Salvinia molest Oxycarium cubense, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and Brachiaria. The experiments were carried out as stainless steel reactor with temperature, agitation and pressure control. As pre-treatment of macrophytes was used heat treatment at 120°C and pressure of 1.6 atm. The maximum methane content was 60% during 40 days digestion time, for Brachiaria of higher lignin content. The result obtained, mainly with Brachiaria demonstrates the efficiency of pre-treatment for the lignocellulosic samples.

scholarly journals Pyrolysis gas as a carbon source for biogas production via anaerobic digestion

RSC Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (66) ◽  
pp. 41889-41895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeqing Li ◽  
Dongfang Su ◽  
Sen Luo ◽  
Hao Jiang ◽  
Mingyu Qian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Carbon Source ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Pyrolysis Gas

Different biomass was pyrolyzed to pyrolysis gas, which was converted to CH4 by bio-fermentation. SPG was bioupgraded to high quality biogas by the addition of H2.

Assessment of the state of the art of technologies for the processing of digestate residue from anaerobic digesters

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 1984-1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Fuchs ◽  
B. Drosg
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
The State ◽  
Anaerobic Digesters ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Digestate Processing

Anaerobic digestion is widely used as an important source of renewable energy. With the increasing number and capacity of biogas plants also, adequate treatment technologies for whole digestate – the residue from anaerobic digestion – are gaining attention. In this study the state of the art of digestate processing is analysed, and currently used treatment schemes and the various technological processes involved are evaluated. The study combines data and experiences from existing large-scale digestate processing facilities in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, as well as know-how from technology providers and relevant research projects. However, the field of digestate processing is still quite new and little detailed information about the performance of different technologies at industrial scale is available. Digestate processing is gaining importance since digestate utilisation can become an important bottleneck when increasing biogas production. In addition, the production of renewable fertiliser from digestate is increasingly of interest to replace fossil fertilisers. This study is the first profound attempt to establish an assessment of the state-of-the-art technologies in use.

Anaerobic digestion foaming in full-scale biogas plants: a survey on causes and solutions

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Kougias ◽  
K. Boe ◽  
S. O-Thong ◽  
L. A. Kristensen ◽  
I. Angelidaki
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Production Loss ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Common Operation ◽  
Negative Impacts

Anaerobic digestion foaming is a common operation problem in biogas plants with negative impacts on the biogas plants economy and environment. A survey of 16 Danish full-scale biogas plants on foaming problems revealed that most of them had experienced foaming in their processes up to three times per year. Foaming incidents often lasted from one day to three weeks, causing 20–50% biogas production loss. One foaming case at Lemvig biogas plant has been investigated and the results indicated that the combination of feedstock composition and mixing pattern of the reactor was the main cause of foaming in this case. Moreover, no difference in bacterial communities between the foaming and non-foaming reactors was observed, showing that filamentous bacteria were not the main reason for foaming in this case.

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