title: Integration of on-farm biodiesel production with anaerobic digestion to maximise energy yield and greenhouse gas savings from process and farm residues.
abstract: Anaerobic co-digestion of residues from the cold pressing and trans-esterification of oilseed rape (OSR) with other farm wastes was considered as a means of enhancing the sustainability of on-farm biodiesel production. The study verified the process energy yields using biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests and semi-continuous digestion trials. The results indicated that high proportions of OSR cake in the feedstock led to a decrease in volatile solids destruction and instability of the digestion process. Co-digestion with cattle slurry or with vegetable waste led to acceptable specific and volumetric methane productions, and a digestate low in potentially toxic elements (PTE). The results were used to evaluate energy balances and greenhouse gas emissions of the integrated process compared with biodiesel production alone. Co-digestion was shown to provide energy self-sufficiency and security of supply to farms, with sufficient surplus for export as fuel and electricity.
authors: School of Civil Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. sh7@soton.ac.uk
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Heaven
authors: Andrew M
authors: AM
authors: Salter
authors: Charles J
authors: CJ
authors: Banks
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D056804:Biofuels; D005740:Gases; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005740:Gases; D008697:Methane