New insights on the estimation of the anaerobic biodegradability of plant material

New insights on the estimation of the anaerobic biodegradability of plant material: Identifying valuable plants for sustainable energy production

Pabón-Pereira, Claudia P. (Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez; Wageningen University & Research)
Hamelers, H. V.M. (Wageningen University & Research; Wetsus, Centre for Sustainable Water Technology)
Matilla, Irene (Wageningen University & Research)
van Lier, J.B. (TU Delft Sanitary Engineering; Wageningen University & Research)

2020

Based on fifteen European plant species, a statistical model for the estimation of the anaerobic biodegradability of plant material was developed. We show that this new approach represents an accurate and cost-eective method to identify valuable energy plants for sustainable energy production. In particular, anaerobic biodegradability (B_o) of lignocellulosic material was empirically found to be related to the amount of cellulose plus lignin, as analytically assessed by the van Soest method, i.e., the acid detergent fiber (ADF) value. Apart from being theoretically meaningful, the ADF-based empirical model requires the least eort compared to the other four proposed conceptual models proposed, as individual fractions of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin do not need to be assessed, which also enhances the predictive accuracy of the model's estimation. The model's results showed great predictability power, allowing us to identify interesting crops for sustainable crop rotations. Finally, the model was used to predict B_o of 114 European plant samples that had been previously characterized by means of the van Soest method.

Anaerobic digestion
Biodegradability
Fiber degradation
Lignocellulosics

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:096c8430-db2b-4596-9c0f-b1eba0b667b7

https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8070806

2227-9717

Processes, 8 (7)

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2020 Claudia P. Pabón-Pereira, H. V.M. Hamelers, Irene Matilla, J.B. van Lier