Tag Archives: pre-treatment

120-134 B. Jankovičová, M. Hutňan, Z. Imreová and R. Zakhar
Increased biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass by soaking in water
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Increased biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass by soaking in water

B. Jankovičová*, M. Hutňan, Z. Imreová and R. Zakhar

Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Radlinského 9, SK812 37 Bratislava 1, Slovakia
*Correspondence: barbora.jankovicova@stuba.sk

Abstract:

Due to its large production worldwide, lignocellulosic biomass represents a substrate with great potential to produce biogas. However, this type of biomass is characterized by a complex and solid structure, which is difficult to decompose by anaerobic microorganisms. Applying the correct pre-treatment method can increase its biodegradability. Lignocellulosic substrate was pre-treated by soaking in water for one day at room temperature to increase biogas production and monitoring of long-term operation of laboratory models of anaerobic reactors for anaerobic digestion of such pre-treated maize waste was employed. Monitoring results in two reactors, R1 with biogas produced from a substrate soaked in water for one day and R0 with the production of biogas from a substrate mixed with water just before dosing into the reactor, were compared showing positive effect of the pre-treatment method. This was expressed by higher values of biogas production and higher methane content in biogas from the substrate soaked in water for one day. The achieved specific biogas productions during four different phases of reactor operation in reactor R1 were in the range of 190–335 mL g-1 of VS (volatile solids)
and 101–221 mL g-1 of VS in reactor R0. Methane content of biogas during reactor operation was 49.3–55.2% in reactor R1 and 42.5–45.5% in reactor R0. During long-term operation of another reactor, pre-treated maize waste was used as a co-substrate for maize silage, in the ratio of 1:1 based on VS of the substrates proving as a suitable co-substrate for maize silage, as the achieved average value of specific biogas production during reactor operation at OLR (organic loading rate) = 1.75 kg VS m-3 d-1 was 510 mL g-1 of VS and during first 67 days at OLR = 2 kg VS m-3 d-1 it was 454 mL g-1 of VS.

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1427-1434 L. Mezule, M. Strods and B. Dalecka
Influence of Mechanical Pre–treatment on Fermentable Sugar Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass
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Influence of Mechanical Pre–treatment on Fermentable Sugar Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass

L. Mezule*, M. Strods and B. Dalecka

Riga Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Research Centre for Civil Engineering, Water Research Laboratory, Kipsalas 6a–263, LV–1048 Riga, Latvia *Correspondence: linda.mezule@rtu.lv

Abstract:

Mechanical pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass has been extensively applied in biofuel production despite its high energy requirements. To balance the consumed energy with the energy produced, careful selection and evaluation of pre-treatment parameters, equipment and desired outcome is needed. The study aims to determine optimal hay and barley straw biomass particle size in view of sugar yields, energy consumption and treatment time. The results show that there is no significant difference (p > 0.05) in sugar yields from hay biomass with particle sizes 0.25 mm, 1 mm and 10 mm. Energy requirements for the production of 1 kg of sugar from hay range from 1.8–10.7 MJ. At the same time barley straw proved to be inappropriate for sugar extraction due to low sugar yields (below 40 mg g-1 dry mass) and high energy consumption (18.5–76.2 MJ to produce 1 kg sugar). Thus, after the careful selection of biomass, mechanical pre-treatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis can be an effective technique in biofuel production from biomass.

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287-293 B. Dalecka, M. Strods and L. Mezule
Production of fermentation feedstock from lignocellulosic biomass: applications of membrane separation
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Production of fermentation feedstock from lignocellulosic biomass: applications of membrane separation

B. Dalecka*, M. Strods and L. Mezule

Riga Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Water Science and Technology, Azenes 16/20-263, LV1048 Riga, Latvia; *Correspondence: brigita.dalecka@gmail.com

Abstract:

The development of cost-efficient, highly productive technologies for fermentation feed production from lignocellulose biomass is still a challenge. In this paper, the production of fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass using hydrolysis techniques with membrane separation systems is studied. The research was conducted on both a laboratory and pilot level to evaluate and optimize the efficiency of the proposed technology. The results demonstrated that UF and NF permeate recovery increased efficiency, and the highest sugar recovery rates were obtained when secondary waste recirculation was introduced after NF and UF, reaching an almost 40% yield from all produced sugars.

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