Biogas production and utilization with polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells provides a clean and
reliable option for decentralized energy supply. The investigative experiments confirmed the fundamental
suitability of co-generation from biogas with a modified fuel cell system for residential energy supply. Biogas
with a methane content of ∼60% is generated by solid-state fermentation of a mixture of grass silage and
cattle manure. Subsequently, the biogas is processed in a steam reformer to produce hydrogen. A hydrogen
purity of >50% is sufficient for an efficient and stable operation of a PEM fuel cell stack. Power generation
via biogas and fuel cells from agricultural residues such as wheat straw can provide a constant power of up
to 0.5 kW per hectare of acreage.
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