Work

Improving aerobic stability and biogas production of maize silage using silage additives

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: The effects of air stress during storage, exposure to air at feed-out, and treatment with silage additives to enhance aerobic stability on methane production from maize silage were investigated at laboratory scale. Up to 17% of the methane potential of maize without additive was lost during seven days exposure to air on feed-out. Air stress during storage reduced aerobic stability and further increased methane losses. A chemical additive containing salts of benzoate and propionate, and inoculants containing heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria were effective to increase aerobic stability and resulted in up to 29% higher methane yields after exposure to air. Exclusion of air to the best possible extent and high aerobic stabilities should be primary objectives when ensiling biogas feedstocks.

Source: Bioresource Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.114

Authors: Christiane Herrmann, Christine Idler, Monika Heiermann

Institution: Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy

Language: English

Topic: Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,880