Ensiling process for efficient biogas production from lignocellulosic substrates: Methods, mechanisms, and measures.

Area of Science:

• Biomass energy
• Anaerobic digestion
• Biochemical engineering

Background:

• Ensiling is a key technology for preserving lignocellulose biomass for biogas production.
• Current understanding of ensiling effectiveness is limited by a lack of general evaluation methods and process mechanism research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing studies on ensiling lignocellulose biomass for biogas production.
• To propose key considerations, mechanisms, and measures for optimizing the ensiling process and enhancing methane yield.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of ensiling processes for lignocellulose biomass.
• Analysis of factors affecting storage loss and methane yield.
• Identification of mechanisms enhancing lignocellulose biodegradability.

Main Results:

• Accurate dry matter content determination requires correction for volatilization loss.
• A comprehensive assessment must consider the trade-off between storage loss and biomethane yield.
• Ensiling enhances methane yield primarily through increased lignocellulose biodigestibility via acid hydrolysis and biological degradation.

Conclusions:

• Proposed methods, mechanisms, and measures (3Ms) can guide the development of quality criteria for biogas-oriented silages.
• Optimizing ensiling involves accurate assessment, understanding degradation mechanisms, and implementing strategies like co-storage and additive use.
• Further research into process mechanisms and standardized evaluation is crucial for maximizing biogas production from ensiled biomass.