Optimization of Straw Particle Size for Enhanced Biogas Production: A Comparative Study of Wheat and Rapeseed Straw

Kamil Witaszek, Karol Kupryaniuk, Jakub Kupryaniuk, Julia Panasiewicz and Wojciech Czekała ()
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Kamil Witaszek: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Karol Kupryaniuk: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Jakub Kupryaniuk: Department of Economics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Maria Curie-Skłodowska Square 5, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Julia Panasiewicz: Department of Law and Administration, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Maria Curie-Skłodowska Square 5, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Wojciech Czekała: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: Biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass, such as wheat and rapeseed straw, is an essential strategy for sustainable energy generation. However, the efficiency of anaerobic digestion depends on the physical characteristics of the substrate, particularly the particle size, which influences microbial accessibility and biogas yield. This study aims to optimize straw particle size for enhanced methane production by evaluating different fractionation levels. The straw was processed using a hammer mill and separated into three size fractions (2.4 mm, 1 mm) alongside non-separated and finely ground (2 mm) samples. The chemical composition was analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and key parameters such as pH, dry matter (DM), and organic dry matter (ODM) were assessed. The results indicated that rapeseed straw had lower pH (6.05) and DM than wheat straw (7.01). Biogas yield analysis demonstrated that methane production varied with particle size. For rapeseed straw, non-separated samples achieved the highest methane yield (132.87 m 3 Mg⁻ 1 ), whereas for wheat straw, methane yield decreased with increased fragmentation, with the highest yield observed for non-separated material (206.65 m 3 Mg⁻ 1 ). The carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio was highest in rapeseed straw (153.82), potentially limiting microbial activity, while finer fractions had more balanced ratios. These findings highlight the importance of mechanical pretreatment in optimizing biogas production and provide insights into improving the efficiency of straw-based anaerobic digestion systems.

Keywords: biogas efficiency; methane fermentation; raw materials; mechanical pretreatment; particle size (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: 2025
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