Methane production potential of various crop species grown in energy crop rotations

Abstract

The methane production potential represents an essential quality parameter of biomass if used as feedstock for biogas production. 769 harvested crop materials from crop rotations were ensiled at standardized conditions and were analyzed regarding their specific methane yields by applying two different experimental setups of batch anaerobic digestion tests. Based on this analysis, reference values for average methane yields per crop species and position within the crop rotation, cutting regime, range of dry matter content, or stage of growth at harvest have been deduced for 93 different crop biomasses. Results provide a comprehensive dataset that can be used in combination with biomass yields for the estimation of methane hectare yields, for economic and ecological evaluation of energy crop rotations, for planning and structural design of biogas plants as well as for decisions regarding the cultivation of alternative co-substrates and the design of sustainable biogas crop rotations.