Title:
Valorisation of Forest Biomass as Novel Substrate for Biogas Production and the Prevention of Wild Fires
Author(s):
Diamantis, V., Eftaxias, A., Daoutis, C. , Michailidis, C., Kantartzis, A.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Regular removal of forest biomass adjacent to forest roads is essential for the prevention of wildfires. In this study we evaluated the quantity of pine needles accumulated onto the forest carpet (litter) and fresh needles collected during pine-tree pruning operations, of a low-altitude Mediterranean Pinus forest. Pine needle samples were digested under mesophilic conditions, in batch reactors in order to evaluate the biogas production potential. The pine needle litter was characterized by an average height between 3 and 7 cm, apparent density 400-600 g/m2 and low moisture content (12%). The pine needles recovered during tree pruning operations were equal to 2.5-3.0 kg/tree having a moisture content between 44-54%. Fresh pine needles from small trees revealed significantly higher biogas production potential (up to 700 L/kg volatile solids) compared to the pine needle litter (120 L/kg volatile solids). The data from this study demonstrate that it is possible to recover around 500 m3 of biogas per km of forest road when the collected biomass is disposed of to anaerobic digestion facilities.
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, biogas, forest residues
Topic:
Biomass Conversion for Bioenergy
Subtopic:
Anaerobic Digestion for Biogas and Biomethane Production
Event:
29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2CV.3.10
Pages:
596 - 599
ISBN:
978-88-89407-21-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/29thEUBCE2021-2CV.3.10
Price:
FREE
