Multi-advantageous sorghum as feedstock for biogas production: A comparison between single-stage and two-stage anaerobic digestion systems.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a keystone in the circular economy concept. The produced biogas can be demand-driven controlled and regionally adaptable, but sustainable feedstocks are required. Sorghum is a valuable alternative considering its bioenergy potential and wide adaptability to different environmental conditions. In this study, AD of sorghum silage was performed in a single-stage continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and in a two-stage leach-bed reactor (LBR) system. The two-stage LBR system revealed higher methane yields (434 L-N kg(VS)(-1)) compared to the single-stage CSTR (308 L-N kg(VS)(-1)). Methane content of biogas ranged from 53 to 59% in both systems. Only the CSTR exhibited acids accumulation, led by propionic acid concentration (2.0 g L-1). Buffer capacity of the two-stage LBR system was superior to the CSTR. Technical disruptions and constant ammonium content declination were shown in both systems, associated to inherent characteristics of fibrous sorghum. AD of sorghum biomass, however, can be effectively performed under controlled conditions, generating high methane yields in both types of systems.

Automated summary

Sorghum is a valuable alternative feedstock for anaerobic digestion, with the two-stage leach-bed reactor system showing higher methane yields and better buffering capacity compared to the single-stage continuously stirred tank reactor system.