Biomethane production from maize and liquid cow manure – Effect of share of maize, post-methanation potential and digestate characteristics

Abstract This study investigates the co-digestion of liquid cow manure and maize with different share of maize in continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). The objective was to determine the methane yield of reactor and the post-methanation potential of the digestate from different reactor trials. The highest specific methane yield (259 Nl CH 4 /kg volatile solids (VSs)) was obtained when the share of maize in the feedstock was 40% (VS) and the second highest specific methane yield was when the proportion of maize was 60% (VS) (234 Nl CH 4 /kg VS). The post-methanation potential of the digestate was determined in batch assays. The minimum value (maize 40%, 75 ± 1 Nl CH 4 /kg VS feed ) occ…

Biokaasua maissista : lajikkeen vaikutus energiasaantoon sekä maissin ja lehmän lietelannan yhteiskäsittely biokaasureaktorissa

Methane production from maize in Finland – Screening for different maize varieties and plant parts

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine how the harvest time and maize variety (12 varieties) affects the methane yield and dry matter yield per hectare in southern Finland (Piikkio) and in Central Finland (Laukaa). The specific methane yields and methane yields per hectare were also determined for different plant parts (stem, leaves and cobs). The methane yield per hectare varied from 2130 to 9170 m 3  ha −1 . The methane yields per hectare were ∼50% lower in Laukaa than in Piikkio due to a shorter growing season and lower total solid (TS) yields. TS yields were on average 16.7 and 15.5 Mg ha −1 in Piikkio and 8.7 and 6.8 Mg ha −1 in Laukaa in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The …