Biogas production from agricultural and municipal waste

¹ AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
² AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Department of Biomaterials and Composites, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
³ University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Informatics, 116B Balicka Street, 30-149 Krakow, Poland

^* Corresponding author: kuznia@agh.edu.pl

Abstract

The article presents the results of biogas production from municipal and agricultural waste. The mesophilic digestion of feedstocks was evaluated. Fermentation process was performed according to the DIN 38414-S8. Five types of agricultural waste were used for the research: 100% maize silage, 25% apple pomace – 75% maize silage, 50% apple pomace – 50% maize silage, 75% apple pomace – 25% maize silage and under – size fraction of municipal waste from the sorting drum. Fermentation of waste was carried out for 30 days. In the produced biogas, there were measured the content of: CH₄, CO₂, O₂ and the total yield of biogas. The combination of different groups of waste in the fermentation process causes a higher efficiency of biogas production. Additionally thermal analysis (TG, DSC) of biogas digestate were conducted. Due to the impurities present in the biogas digestate derived from municipal waste, it becomes impossible to use it as fertilizer in agriculture.