Press

Increasing biogas plant efficiency through application of bioavailable trace elements

Scientists from the Department for Sustainable Environmental and Energy Engineering at Germanys University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK) and the research division of Schumann BioEnergy GmbH, ISF GmbH, are to work together on this very important research project over the next two years.

The work is supported financially by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) over the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) as project coordinator for the support programme "Renewable raw materials".

In focus of the research is bioavailability of trace elements based on optimising composition of the additives and quantities required. On the basis of sequential extraction procedure, methods are to be developed and adapted so that macro- and micronutrient availability within the biogas production process can be investigated and evaluated. This will involve separation, identification and quantifying of the bioavailable proportion of trace nutrients in the fermenter of a biogas plant. Alongside the identification of nutrients that are directly bioavailable, the potentially mobilisable proportion will also be investigated. In this context the various trace element preparations will be tested. Identified will be the proportion of bioavailable micronutrients as well as their effect on the biological activity of microorganisms in the fermentation process. Investigations are to be carried out in pilot plant scale as well as in largescale practice-oriented production plants.

The work will be aimed at closing the loopholes in knowledge still existing between accepted practice for nutrient input and the actual effects. The target is economical improvement of product application as well as making the process more environmentally friendly.