USE OF NON-TRADITIONAL HERBAL PLANTS IN BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Abstract

In the search for alternative sources of renewable energy, it is increasingly suggested to use herbaceous plants. Perennial plants are chosen for the production of large amounts of biomass. Among the widely used plants, non-traditional plants such as fibrous nettles, which are not far behind traditional crops in terms of properties and energy, can gain a place in the market. The paper analyzes the production of biogas from nettles collected in four different months. The aim of the study is to determine the biogas yields and energy values. The study determined biogas yields for each group of raw materials. The highest biogas yield of 863.4±12.1 l/kg was obtained in the nettle raw material collected in June. It was determined that the most energetically effective are the nettles of August – 20.16±0.07 MJ/ . The lowest energy potential - 18.89±0.03 MJ/  was obtained during the study of June plants. The methane concentration in biogas was determined to be 57.1±1.2 % in nettles collected in August.