The effects of Microalgae Biomass Co-Substrate on Biogas Production from the Common Agricultural Biogas Plants Feedstock

Marcin Dębowski, Marta Kisielewska, Joanna Kazimierowicz, Aleksandra Rudnicka, Magda Dudek, Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda and Marcin Zieliński
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Marcin Dębowski: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Marta Kisielewska: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Joanna Kazimierowicz: Department of Water Supply and Sewage Systems, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
Aleksandra Rudnicka: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Magda Dudek: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda: Department of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha St. 12/13, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Marcin Zieliński: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects on methane production of the addition of microalgae biomass of Arthrospira platensis and Platymonas subcordiformis to the common feedstock used in agricultural biogas plants (cattle manure, maize silage). Anaerobic biodegradability tests were carried out using respirometric reactors operated at an initial organic loading rate of 5.0 kg volatile solids (VS)/m 3 , temperature of 35°C, and a retention time of 20 days. A systematic increase in the biogas production efficiency was found, where the ratio of microalgae biomass in the feedstock increased from 0% to 40% (%VS). Higher microalgae biomass ratio did not have a significant impact on improving the efficiency of biogas production, and the biogas production remained at a level comparable with 40% share of microalgae biomass in the feedstock. This was probably related to the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio decrease in the mixture of substrates. The use of Platymonas subcordiformis ensured higher biogas production, with the maximum value of 1058.8 ± 25.2 L/kg VS. The highest content of methane, at an average concentration of 65.6% in the biogas produced, was observed in setups with Arthrospira plantensis biomass added at a concentration of between 20%–40% to the feedstock mixture.

Keywords: microalgae; anaerobic digestion; biogas; respirometric reactors (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 (5)

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