Use of Grasses and Mixtures of Grasses for Energy Purposes

David Andert,Ilona Gerndtová,Jan Frydrych

doi:10.14311/1534

Abstract

As levels of agricultural productivity increase, there is also an increase in land area not utilized for food production. This area can be used for growing energy crops, including grasses. When land is set aside for grassing, or when the potential of perennial grasses is not utilized due to reductions in cattle herds, there is also an increased amount of grass that can be utilized for energy purposes. Experiments were carried out on the principle of single-stage anaerobic digestion within the mezophyle range. During the experiments, we measured the cumulative production of biogas and its composition. The processed grass was disintegrated by pressing and cutting. This adaptation of the material resulted in increased biogas production. The optimum proportion of grass dry matter is from 35 to 50 % in the total d.m. The results of the experiments proved the suitability of grass phytomass as a material for biogas production.

Highlights

The search for new energy resources has become a worldwide phenomenon
The grassland mixture produced the highest yield of green material (48.36 t/ha) and dry matter (9.77 t/ha) for wetter conditions, in the fertilized variant
The highest yield was for fecsue Kora in green material (31.29 t/ha) and in dry matter (9.36 t/ha), in the fertilized variant

Summary

Introduction

Due to increasing levels of agricultural productivity, there has been an increase in land set aside without food production. Its important functions include: water management — rainfall retention; anti erosion — i.e. protection against water and wind erosion; protection in relation to the hydrosphere — root systems reduce underground water pollution; esthetic — grassland maintains the appearance of the landscape; economic and social functions — generating jobs for people living in marginal areas. Increased economic pressure for profitable agriculture is another reason why the cultivated area has been reduced, in marginal regions. It may be assumed that the trend in Germany and Austria will be followed in the Czech Republic, and there will be increased social pressure on landowners, especially in tourist regions, to ensure that all grasslands are regularly maintained [1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion