Evaluation of the Biomass of <i>Arundo donax</i> L. in the Context of Regional Bioenergetics

Abstract

In Slovakia, maize silage is preferred as the input material for biogas production whereas it should be used primarily as feed for cattle. The purpose of this paper is to point out the possibilities of using the fast-growing giant reed Arundo donax L. that is not used as fodder and can be grown on low-quality agricultural land. The experimental stand of A. donax L. used in the study provided a yield of 60.8 t ha -1 of fresh biomass in the third year of cultivation. Part of the biomass produced was ensiled as maize and later the silage was co-fermented with cattle excrements and pig slurry. The resulting biogas can be used as fuel for internal combustion engines. The average content of CH 4 and CO 2 is 52% and 44%, respectively. These values are very similar to the composition of maize silage biogas. The average hydrogen sulphide content in the biogas from A. donax L. was 730 ppm. The disadvantage is that the biogas production is 46% lower compared to maize silage.

Towards a sustainable energy future: Evaluating Arundo donax L. in continuous anaerobic digestion for biogas production

“…In the present investigation, the highest value of H 2 S concentration recorded was 331.40 ppm, observed in the mixture of A. donax and corn silage at a ratio of 2:1, whereas the lowest average concentration of H 2 S was noted in the mixture at a ratio of 1:2 (A. donax:corn silage). The results presented diverge from the results of Giertl et al (2022), who report a concentration of H 2 S of 730 ppm using A. donax as a feedstock in biogas production. This value significantly exceeds the permissible level.…”

“…The results presented diverge from the results of Giertl et al. (2022), who report a concentration of H 2 S of 730 ppm using A. donax as a feedstock in biogas production. This value significantly exceeds the permissible level.…”

“…The data presented in Table 2 also demonstrates that the highest proportions of CO 2 were observed in feedstocks with a larger share of A. donax whilst the lowest values were detected in the mixture with a ratio of 1:2 (A. donax:corn silage). According to the study by Giertl et al (2022), the average proportion of CO 2 was 44%, which is lower compared to the results obtained in this investigation, where the sample of A. donax 100% generated biogas with an average CO 2 content of 46.93%. An exceedingly low proportion of CO 2 was reported in the study by Sciuto et al (2023), where the concentration amounted to merely 18.54 ± 7.91%, indicating a significantly low presence of CO 2 in biogas.…”

“…From Figure 7, it is apparent that the cumulative biogas production over a span of 5 months is the highest for 100% A. donax and the lowest when utilizing a 2:1 mixture. Giertl et al (2022) reported that the average cumulative biogas produced amounted to 641 dm 3 for corn silage, and 351.5 dm 3 for A. donax during 600 h of anaerobic digestion process. This highlights that corn silage generated a larger cumulative quantity of biogas.…”

“…Giertl et al. (2022) reported that the average cumulative biogas produced amounted to 641 dm 3 for corn silage, and 351.5 dm 3 for A. donax during 600 h of anaerobic digestion process. This highlights that corn silage generated a larger cumulative quantity of biogas.…”