Production of Biogas from Distillation Residue as a Waste Material from the Distillery Industry in Poland

In this paper, the possibility to obtain an alternative source of energy from methane fermentation, catalysed by biomass, has been discussed in detail. As a main substrate, the distillation residue from the distillery industry was taken in the case of mono-fermentation and its co-fermentation with sewage sludge. The results showed that higher biogas and methane production can be obtained in a mono-fermentation process. Fermentation lasted for 23 days, and during this time, 333.14 and 249.64 L/kg VS of the total biogas for mono- and co-fermentation was subsequently obtained, which gives around 63% and 50% of methane in both types of the process, respectively. Additionally, to interpret the experimental data obtained and to predict the trend of the accumulation curves, a simple Gompertz model has been applied. The application of the Gompertz model has enabled us to estimate some important parameters with a strict physical meaning, namely, the maximum production value of the biogas and its components, the production rate of a given gas, as well as the incubation phase time. Finally, an approximate analysis of the potential volume of biogas production was also carried out, based on the mass of distillation residue produced annually in Poland.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the possibility of obtaining alternative energy from methane fermentation catalyzed by biomass. The distillation residue from the distillery industry was used as the main substrate in the case of mono-fermentation and co-fermentation with sewage sludge. The results showed higher biogas and methane production in mono-fermentation process, with methane accounting for around 63% and 50% in both types of the process, respectively. The application of the Gompertz model allowed for the estimation of important parameters and the analysis of potential biogas production based on the mass of distillation residue produced annually in Poland.