Bioenergy potential of Ulva lactuca: biomass yield, methane production and combustion.
The biomass production potential at temperate latitudes (56°N), and the quality of the biomass for energy production (anaerobic digestion to methane and direct combustion) were investigated for the green macroalgae, Ulva lactuca. The algae were cultivated in a land based facility demonstrating a production potential of 45T (TS) ha(-1) y(-1). Biogas production from fresh and macerated U. lactuca yielded up to 271 ml CH(4) g(-1) VS, which is in the range of the methane production from cattle manure and land based energy crops, such as grass-clover. Drying of the biomass resulted in a 5-9-fold increase in weight specific methane production compared to wet biomass. Ash and alkali contents are the main challenges in the use of U. lactuca for direct combustion. Application of a bio-refinery concept could increase the economical value of the U. lactuca biomass as well as improve its suitability for production of bioenergy.
Aarhus University, National Environmental Research Institute, Silkeborg, Denmark. anbr@dmu.dk
Annette
A
Bruhn
Jonas
J
Dahl
Henrik Bangsø
HB
Nielsen
Lars
L
Nikolaisen
Michael Bo
MB
Rasmussen
Stiig
S
Markager
Birgit
B
Olesen
Carlos
C
Arias
Peter Daugbjerg
PD
Jensen
D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis*; D018533:Biomass; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004735:Energy Transfer / Q000502:physiology*; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D044445:Ulva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*
D056804:Biofuels; D008697:Methane