The Possibility of Meeting Greenhouse Energy and CO2 Demands Through Utilisation of Cucumber and Tomato Residues

Abstract

The article examines the possibility of using residues from greenhouse cucumber and tomato cultivation as biomass for energy and CO2 production in order to meet greenhouse needs. Methane fermentation and combustion were compared. Moreover, the legitimacy of ensiling as a storage method for biogas plant was evaluated. The tested waste was found to be an unsuitable feedstock for the production of silage due to low sugar and high protein content. Fresh waste had a higher biogas yield than silage; however, its fermentation lasted longer. Furthermore, the results showed that, in the case of fresh residues, the methane fermentation proved to be a more energy-efficient process, while air-dry biomass is a more sustainable feedstock for combustion. The energy and CO2 balance showed that, regardless of the method used, the available quantity of waste is too small to meet the greenhouse needs.