Biogas production from agricultural raw materials
2014
Naglis-Liepa, K., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia) | Pelse, M., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia)
Nowadays no one doubts the need for alternative energy sources; yet, their choice and conditions of use are quite complicated and difficult to understand. In Latvia, the experience in the use of biogas from agricultural raw materials to generate energy is quite small, and optimal resources and their mixtures are sought constantly. The research aim of the present paper is to identify the optimal type and quantity of substrate for a biogas facility for the conditions in Latvia by means of a simulation model. To achieve the aim, the following research tasks were set: to develop and describe a simulation model for the fermentation of a substrate for biogas production; and to identify an optimal substrate mixture for biogas production. It is necessary to examine several factors for the choice of a biogas substrate. If calculations are based on the energy potentials of substrates and their cost, an optimal substrate consists of a mixture of silage (22%) and manure (78%). The cheapest energy could be obtained if only manure is used; yet, the necessary electric capacity of the bioreactor would not be reached in this case. The optimisation model can be effectively used for identifying the optimal biogas substrate and its quantities and for calculations of alternative energy production.
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