Particle size reduction optimization of Laminaria spp. biomass for enhanced methane production

Abstract

Recent studies have reported improved biogas and methane yield from marine biomass when the particle size is mechanically reduced and the specific surface area available to enzymes is increased prior to anaerobic incubation. Although the advantage of reducing the particle size has been identified, an ideal particle size that would offer greater yield with a positive energy balance has not been identified for such substrate to date. As particle size reduction by mechanical means is often highly demanding in energy, this paper attempts to fill this gap for macroalgal biomass by identifying the particle size distribution allowing the highest biogas and methane yields obtained in a previous work. The study estimated that when about 80% of the particles are sized below 1.6 mm 2 , a biogas and methane yield improvement of up to 52% and 53% respectively can be achieved. The results are discussed in relation to the biogas yield, related methane content and potential inhibitory phenomena occurred during the fermentation.

Improvement of methane production from P. canaliculata through mechanical pretreatment

“…However the result from Tedesco et al agreed with the biogas production achieved in the present studio at a F/I ratio of 0.5, 220.38 ml/gVS [25]. An excessive particle size reduction of the substrate accelerates the hydrolysis and acidogenesis in the early stage of anaerobic digestion, resulting in accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that leads to a decrease in pH, causing a decrease in methane production [8,26]. The final pH in this study remained constant around a value of 6.78±0.15 similar to the initial pH.…”

Mechanical pretreatment of lignocelluloses for enhanced biogas production: Methane yield prediction from biomass structural components

“…They reported an overall improvement in the sustainability of the anaerobic digestion using grass-based biomass with the use of a very efficient full-scale machine. Overall, mechanical pretreatment as shown in this study is an environmentally friendly approach to manage different biomass and diverse waste streams since it has the capacity to cause structural damage to the biomass thereby increasing the surface area for microbial attack in the digesters (Tedesco et al, 2014).…”

Renewable energy technology developments, trends and policy implications that can underpin the drive for global climate change

“…The 8 th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP2015) was held in Paisley, Scotland from the 11 th to the 14 th August 2015. The guest editors have a diverse background, expertise and knowledge in the field of renewable and sustainable energy including natural gas [4], [5], [6], hydrogen [7], biomass [8], [9], biogas [10], [11], wind integration and optimisation [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17] energy storage [18], [19], [20], [21], fuel cells [22], [23], [24], electricity markets [25], [26] and climate change [27], [28]. As experts, practitioners and early career researchers our challenge is to offer direction, guidance and solutions to the 21 st century 'energy quadrilemma' challenge facing the planet, this generation and future generations [29].…”