Abstract
Our study evaluated the specific methane yield (SMY) of selected wetland species subjected to wet and dry anaerobic digestion: Carex elata All. (CE), a mixture (~50/50) of Carex elata All. and Carex acutiformis L. (CA), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. (PA), Typha latifolia L. (TL) and Phalaris arundinacea L. (PAr). Plants were harvested in late September, and therefore, the study material was characterised by high lignin content. The highest lignin content (36.40 ± 1.04% TS) was observed in TL, while the lowest (16.03 ± 1.54% TS) was found in CA. PAr was characterised by the highest hemicellulose content (37.55 ± 1.04% TS), while the lowest (19.22 ± 1.22% TS) was observed in TL. Cellulose content was comparable in almost all plant species studied and ranged from 25.32 ± 1.48% TS to 29.37 ± 0.87% TS, except in PAr (16.90 ± 1.29% TS). The methane production potential differed significantly among species and anaerobic digestion (AD) technologies. The lowest SMY was observed for CE (121 ± 28 NL kgVS−1) with dry fermentation (D–F) technology, while the SMY of CA was the highest for both technologies, 275 ± 3 NL kgVS−1 with wet fermentation (W–F) technology and 228 ± 1 NL kgVS−1 with D–F technology. The results revealed that paludi-biomass could be used as a substrate in both AD technologies; however, biogas production was more effective for W–F. Nonetheless, the higher methane content in the biogas and the lower energy consumption of technological processes for D–F suggest that the final amount of energy remains similar for both technologies. The yield is critical in energy production by the AD of wetland plants; therefore, a promising source of feedstock for biogas production could be biomass from rewetted and previously drained areas, which are usually more productive than natural habitats.
Highlights
IntroductionEnvironmental problems caused by the depletion of natural resources, elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, loss of biodiversity, and growing demand for energy, food, and space are the main challenges for humankind in this century
The results revealed that paludi-biomass could be used as a substrate in both anaerobic digestion (AD) technologies; biogas production was more effective for wet fermentation (W–F)
The inoculum used for the wet fermentation experiment was characterised by lower total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), and Total organic carbon (TOC) but higher total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and K content
Summary
Environmental problems caused by the depletion of natural resources, elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, loss of biodiversity, and growing demand for energy, food, and space are the main challenges for humankind in this century. Extensive fossil fuel combustion is a primary source of GHG. It results in widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere, affecting weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe [1]. A contribution to solving climate change and biodiversity loss is using biomass for energy production [2]. The demand for biomass is increasing globally. The EU’s Green Deal priorities and the EU’s green recovery may substantially impact the biomass market, forcing it to be adapted to environmental, social, and economic sustainability in Europe and worldwide.
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