Research on Biogas Yield from Macroalgae with Inoculants at Different Organic Loading Rates in a Three-Stage Bioreactor

Alvydas Zagorskis (), Regimantas Dauknys, Mantas Pranskevičius and Olha Khliestova
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Alvydas Zagorskis: Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Regimantas Dauknys: Department of Environmental Protection and Water Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Mantas Pranskevičius: Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Olha Khliestova: Department of Primary Science Institute of Modern Technologies, Pryazovskyi State Technical University, 87555 Mariupol, Ukraine

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Macroalgae can be a viable alternative to replace fossil fuels that have a negative impact on the environment. By mixing macroalgae with other substrates, higher quality biogas can be obtained. Such biogas is considered one of the most promising solutions for reducing climate change. In the work, new studies were conducted, during which biogas yield was investigated in a three-stage bioreactor (TSB) during the anaerobic digestion of Cladophora glomerata macroalgae with inoculants from cattle manure and sewage sludge at different organic loading rates (OLR). By choosing the optimal OLR in this way, the goal was to increase the energy potential of biomass. The research was performed at OLRs of 2.87, 4.06, and 8.13 Kg VS/m 3 d. After conducting research, the highest biogas yield was determined when OLR was 2.87 Kg VS/m 3 d. With this OLR, the average biogas yield was 439.0 ± 4.0 L/Kg VS added , and the methane yield was 306.5 ± 9.2 L CH 4 /Kg VS added . After increasing the OLR to 4.06 and 8.13 Kg VS/m 3 d, the yield of biogas and methane decreased by 1.55 times. The higher yield was due to better decomposition of elements C, N, H, and S during the fermentation process when OLR was 2.87 Kg VS/m 3 d. At different OLRs, the methane concentration remained high and varied from 68% to 80%. The highest biomass energy potential with a value of 3.05 kWh/Kg VS added was determined when the OLR was 2.87 Kg VS/m 3 d. This biomass energy potential was determined by the high yield of biogas and methane in TSB.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; macroalgae; biogas yield; three-stage bioreactor; organic load rate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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