Abstract
Biogas production is one of the solutions for replacing fossil fuels, which promotes the widespread use of green energy. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of Silphium perfoliatum as an energy crop for biogas production, as well as the effect of different fertilization doses (0, 85 and 170 kg N ha−1) on the production potential (NL CH4 kg−1 VS) of Silphium perfoliatum. The study investigated the use of different feedstocks, such as raw and ensiled Silphium perfoliatum biomass. The methane production ranged between 193.59 and 243.61 NL CH4 kg−1 VS. The highest biogas production potential was achieved with the biomasses which were cultivated with the highest fertilization dose (170 kg N ha−1), both for raw and ensiled crop biomasses, although the difference from the other fertilization doses was not significant. The feedstock (biomass and silage) and digestate parameters were investigated as well. The use of Silphium perfoliatum for biogas production seems very promising since its methane production potential was found to be similar to that of the most common energy crop, such as maize, indicating that Silphium perfoliatum can compete in the future with maize.
Highlights
In the last few decades of the 20th century, fossil fuels were the most important source of energy used worldwide, having a huge impact on the technological and economic development of many countries [1]
The highest biogas production potential was achieved with the biomasses which were cultivated with the highest fertilization dose (170 kg N ha− 1 ), both for raw and ensiled crop biomasses, the difference from the other fertilization doses was not significant
The results of our experiments showed that the highest C/N ratio was found in Silphium perfoliatum raw biomass with the organic fertilization dose of 85 kg ha− 1 N (62.3); the lowest C/N ratio was found in Silphium perfoliatum raw biomass with the mineral fertilization dose of 170 kg ha−1 N (41.7) (Table 3)
Summary
In the last few decades of the 20th century, fossil fuels were the most important source of energy used worldwide, having a huge impact on the technological and economic development of many countries [1]. Their widespread use has had detrimental consequences for the environment by increasing the level of CO2 released into the atmosphere, which highly contributes to global warming and climate change [2,3]. Facing the depletion of fossil fuels and their constantly rising prices, new and considerably less polluting renewable energy sources are needed [4]. It is very important to investigate and implement the use of renewable energy sources on a large scale
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