Optimisation of biogas production from the macroalgae Laminaria sp. at different periods of harvesting in Ireland

Abstract

h i g h l i g h t sAutumn was the best harvesting period of Laminaria sp. as feedstock for AD, in Ireland. During spring, the system was improved by applying the pretreatment and at a VS concentration of 2.5%. Higher methane yields were observed at short pretreatment times and at VS concentration below 2.5%. A positive energy balance was estimated in autumn and early spring. a b s t r a c tBrown seaweeds are a suitable substrate for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD). Since the carbohydrates' content is subjected to a seasonal variation, this research aimed to select the best harvesting period of beach cast brown seaweed Laminaria sp. for methane production, while optimising the use of a beating pretreatment and the organic substrate concentration. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to estimate the effect of the beating pretreatment in terms of pretreatment time (5-10-15 min) and organic matter concentration in terms of volatile solids (VS) (1-2.5-4%) on methane production. The highest methane yield of 342 ± 17 ml g À1 VS was observed during November at 1% of VS and after 5 min of pretreatment, while the lowest yields were registered in March with an average of 163 ± 28 ml g À1 VS. However, an enhancement of 47% with respect to the untreated sample was achieved at 2.5% of VS and after 15 min of pretreatment, in March.

Liquefaction of pineapple peel: Pretreatment and process optimization

“…Generally, alkaline methods are inappropriate for highly perishable materials due to the ease of degradation and the tendencies to produce high amount of volatile fatty acids (VFA's) with the potential to inhibit the methanogenesis stage of digestion. However, the alkalis are very efficient in pretreating lignocellulosic biomass because of their complex nature composing of enormous lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses [31,32].…”

Data on optimization of bioconversion of fruit rind of Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin) and poultry manure for biogas generation

“…The CCD used in designing the pre-treatment procedures was also employed in the experimental design of the anaerobic digestion of all the pre-treated and untreated samples of Telfairia occidentalis fruit rind and poultry manure due to the reported high efficiency of the model in product optimization [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] . A total of 50 experimental runs were generated using the five-level-five-factors design.…”

Methane Production from Alginate-Extracted and Non-Extracted Waste of Laminaria japonica: Anaerobic Mono- and Synergetic Co-Digestion Effects on Yield

“…These results were within the range of values obtained in a study conducted by Montingelli et al on varieties of Laminaria sp. harvested at different periods in Ireland [53] (wherein the methane production from Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea, and Saccharina latissima was investigated through AD). Since the chemical composition profiling of seaweeds is subjected to a seasonal variation, the study considered seasonal variation and the differences in substrate concentrations and obtained 20 to 236 mL/gVS and 15 to 342 mL/gVS respectively for the untreated samples and that underwent beating pretreatment.…”