Ulva lactuca, a green seaweed, accumulates on beaches and shallow estuaries subject to eutrophication. As a residue, and a macro-algae, it is a source of sustainable third generation biofuel. Production of biomethane from mono-digestion of U. lactuca, however is problematic due to high levels of sulphur and low ratios of carbon to nitrogen. Fresh and dried U. lactuca were continuously co-digested with dairy slurry at ratios of 25%, 50% and 75% (by volatile solid content) in 6 number 5L reactors for 9months. The reactors digesting a mix with 75% U. lactuca struggled to reach stable conditions. Volatile fatty acid levels of 14,000mgl-1 were experienced. The levels of ammonia increased with percentage U. lactuca in the mix. Optimum conditions were observed with a mix of 25% fresh U. lactuca and 75% slurry. A yield of 170LCH4kg-1VS was achieved at an organic loading rate of 2.5kgVSm-3d-1. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
CITATION STYLE
Allen, E., Wall, D. M., Herrmann, C., & Murphy, J. D. (2014). Investigation of the optimal percentage of green seaweed that may be co-digested with dairy slurry to produce gaseous biofuel. Bioresource Technology, 170, 436–444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.08.005
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