Title:
Towards Accurate GHG Emissions Quantification: High-resolution Data from Open Digestate Storage
Author(s):
Knoll, L., Engler, N., Hofmann, J., Matlach, J.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Animal husbandry is a key source of agricultural GHG-emissions. Beyond direct emissions from livestock, additional methane is released during the storage and application of slurry and digestate. Although anaerobic digestion can reduce these emissions, much of the slurry in Germany is still not used for energy recovery. Quantifying methane emissions from digestate storage is challenging due to strong seasonal and operational fluctuations. The research project MEMO – Methane Emissions Model for Open Digestate/Manure Storage addresses this gap by implementing a Gas Collection and Measurement Station (GCMS) that enables high-resolution, continuous monitoring of methane emissions. Over the course of a full annual cycle, the system records both methane emissions and key operational parameters such as fill level, digestate temperature, and ambient temperature. Initial measurements indicate clear seasonal differences in digestate temperature, with average values of 14.5.°C during winter/spring and 23.°C in summer/autumn. The average fill level in summer/autumn was 2.6.m, corresponding to a storage utilization of approximately 43%. Methane emissions were continuously measured over an eight-month period (ongoing). During winter, the average methane concentration was 0.7.vol.%, with a seasonal mean emission rate of 0.6.m³/h for winter and spring. On average, methane losses from digestate storage accounted for 3.4% of the monthly methane production.
Keywords:
biogas, digestate storage, methane emissions
Topic:
Biomass Conversion for Bioenergy
Subtopic:
Anaerobic digestion for biogas and biomethane production
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4DO.7.4
Pages:
715 - 717
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-4DO.7.4
Price:
FREE
