Topic

The development of the efficient use of biomass for renewable energy production requires enhanced options that achieve high greenhouse gas reductions beside sustainability and avoidance of competitive uses. Against this background especially the conversion of lignocellulosic biogenic residues into biogas, followed by production of electricity and heat as well as agricultural exploitation of the resulting digestate seems to be a cost-effective, technically less demanding alternative. Additionally, it is an environmental and climate-friendly alternative. In practice, this approach failed, because of technical difficulties in fermentation due to the high content of lignocellulose. Within the proposed project a concept for the complete technological process control for the efficient Co-digestion of lignocellulose shall be investigated. The main focus of the project is the development of an innovative process combination of mechanical comminution and enzymatic catalysis as a prerequisite for energy-efficient and technically feasible substrate pre-treatment to produce biogas. In addition to reach the ability in principle to convert lignocellulosic biogenic substances into biogas on large scale plants, the increase of methane yield and of conversion performance are important objectives of the project. 

Research topics IKTS:

On the basis of a specific material selection IKTS performs systematic studies on a laboratory scale to the mechanical-enzymatic disintegration of the lignocellulosic feedstock. After creating a process concept LEHMANN Maschinenbau GmbH is in charge to plan, design and manufacture engineering equipment for substrate pre-treatment. Evaluation and optimization of the developed method and technique will then be performed in a pilot biogas plant at the application center bioenergy.

Aims

The joint project aims at the effective exploitation and utilization of biogenic waste materials, particularly lignocellulosic biomass, i.e. straw, for the production of biomethane. The maximum exploitation of this renewable energy potential is in line with the objectives formulated by the federal government for energy and climate protection and supports the evolution of the current discourse on the production of electricity, heat and fuels from biomass. The focus of this project is the development of an innovative process combination of mechanical comminution and enzymatic catalysis and related technology as a prerequisite for energy-efficient and technically feasible substrate pre-treatment for biogas production from lignocellulose biogenic waste materials.

Measures

Lehmann Maschinenbau GmbH

After creating a process concept LEHMANN Maschinenbau GmbH is in charge to plan, design and manufacture engineering equipment for substrate pre-treatment. Evaluation and optimization of the developed method and technique will then be performed in a pilot biogas plant at the application center bioenergy.

Focus

IKTS

• Process engineering testing of enzymatic substrate pretreatment
• Process engineering testing of mechanical pretreatment of different substrates
• Implementation of biogas yield tests in laboratory and pilot scale
• Derivation of a process concept for combined mechanical-enzymatic substrate pre-treatment
• Proof of reported CO2 reduction and analysis of economy

Lehmann Maschinenbau GmbH

• Design and manufacture of developed integrated substrate pre-treatment unit
• Construction of the substrate pre-treatment unit in pilot scale
• Participation in process engineering testing of the novel substrate pre-treatment unit
• Preparation of the scale-up in large scale plants