Possibilities of Obtaining Biogas from Manure and Amaranth
Introduction. The use of biomass allows increasing the rate of biogas formation and its specific yield. This work aims to study the kinetics of methanogenesis and determine the optimal duration of digestion and organic load, which are the main indicators of the technological process of biogas formation. Materials and Methods. The substrate (dairy manure, biomass of amaranth) was the study object. Experimental studies were carried out using a laboratory biogas plant. The computer program (certificate No. 2018662045) was used to obtain modified Gompertz models describing the kinetics of biogas formation. Based on the obtained data, the hydraulic retention time and organic loading rate (the key parameters in the design of biogas plants were determined). Results. The paper presents the experimental studies results of the biogas formation kinetics when using dry amaranth biomass. The Gompertz mathematical models were obtained. Methane-tank control parameters (hydraulic retention time and organic loading rate) were obtained for anaerobic digestion of a new substrate. Discussion and Conclusion. The use of new co-substrate Amaranthus retroflexus L. allowed increasing the specific biogas yield from dairy manure by 52.2 % and the ultrasonic pre-treatment in combination with the herbal supplement by 89.1 %. The optimal hydraulic retention time value was 10 days and organic loading rate was 4.1 kg of volatile solids per m3 of digester per day.