Energy Efficiency of Comminution and Extrusion of Maize Substrates Subjected to Methane Fermentation

Kamil Witaszek, Krzysztof Pilarski, Gniewko Niedbała, Agnieszka Anna Pilarska and Marcin Herkowiak
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Kamil Witaszek: Institute of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Krzysztof Pilarski: Institute of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Gniewko Niedbała: Institute of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Agnieszka Anna Pilarska: Institute of Food Technology of Plant Origin, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
Marcin Herkowiak: Department of Renewable Energy Resources, Institute of Technology and Life Sciences, Falenty, Al. Hrabska 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: The production of methane in the anaerobic digestion process is a proven technology, but it is characterized by low cost-effectiveness. The pretreatment of substrates seems to be a promising technology, which may increase the cost-effectiveness of biogas installations. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the comminution and extrusion of maize silage and maize straw silage on the course and yield of anaerobic digestion. The use of a pretreatment (comminution, extrusion) is justified when its energy balance is positive. The greatest increase in the methane yield per dry matter (12.4%) was observed after the extrusion of maize straw silage at 175 °C. The change in the methane yield resulting from the extrusion of maize silage and maize straw silage at 150 °C was small and amounted to 6.4% and 9%, respectively. The comminution caused an increase in the methane yield and accelerated the fermentation of substrates. The methane yield from maize silage was 38.4%, whereas the yield from maize straw silage was only 8.3%.

Keywords: pre-treatment; comminution; extrusion; lignocellulose biomass; anaerobic digestion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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