Systematic Assessment of Straw as Potential Biogas Substrate in Co-digestion with Manure

Abstract: This work was carried out at Biogas Research Center (BRC) and the company Biogas in Vadstena. The aim was to systematically evaluate new substrates for biogas production. In particular, this case investigated the potential of straw in co-digestion with manure and slurry from pig, chicken and dairy. Straw is interesting to evaluate since it is second generation biomass and available in a large quantity. Also, anaerobic digestion (AD) of manure is beneficial because it deals with the spontaneous methane emission and leads to a better manure handling. Goals within the EU as well as in Sweden have been set up to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel and to produce more renewable energy. The methodology used is outlined by BRC in which a number of key areas, such as description of biomass, amount biomass, gas yield, technology, economy, environmental performance and energy system, competing interests and institutional factors, have been evaluated through literature studies and case study Biogas in Vadstena. Based on the results an overall judgment is done to determine the potential of straw. The result shows that straw is not appropriate to digest solely because of high TS, high carbon content and lack of nutrients. Straw also has lignocellulosic structures, which are difficult to break down. Especially lignin limits the biodegradability. Mechanical, thermal, chemical and biological pretreatments can increase the availability and biodegradability in the straw. In some cases pretreatment can also increase the methane potential. However, straw works well as a carbon complement in co-digestion with manure, which is a nitrogen-rich substrate. There are technologies available for AD of straw and manure for the whole biogas process, from transportation and pretreatment to digestion and upgrading. Although, there is space for further development of pretreatment and upgrading technology. The economic calculations show that it is profitable to use straw with manure in a farm-based biogas plant for vehicle gas production. Furthermore, the calculations of the energy show that biogas production is energy efficient with energy input/output ratio of 18-23%. Besides production of biogas, the digestate could be used as an environmentally friendly fertilizer. In summary, it is possible to produce biogas from straw together with manure, and this is beneficial from both an environmental and economic perspective.