Suitability of Common nettle (Urticadioica) and Canadian goldenrod (Solidagocanadensis) for methane production.

Support for biogas production in Latvia was decreased. There is an urgent need to investigate the suitability of various inexpensive renewable biomass resources for energy production. Also, itis necessary to explore the possibilities to improve the anaerobic fermentation process with the help of various catalysts. Biocatalyst Metaferm produced in Latvia was used in previous studies with other biomass and showed increase in biogas and methane production. The article shows the results of studies on biogas (methane) production from chopped fresh Common nettle (Urtica dioica) and Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) biomass and effect of catalyst Metaferm in anaerobic fermentation process. The anaerobic digestion process was performed in 0.75 L laboratory digesters, operated in batch mode (38 1.0 °C, 35 days). The average specific biogas or methane production per unit of dry organic matter added (DOM) from Common nettle was 0.709 L g^-1 DOM or was 0.324 L g^-1 DOM respectively. Average specific biogas or methane volume produced from chopped Canadian goldenrod in anaerobic fermentation was 0.548 L g^-1 DOM or 0.267 L g^-1 DOM respectively. Average biogas or methane yield from digestion of chopped Common nettle with 1 mL Metaferm was 0.752 L g^-1 DOM or 0.328 L g^-1 DOM respectively. Average specific biogas or methane yield from anaerobic fermentation of chopped Canadian goldenrod with 1 mL Metaferm was 0.624 L g^-1 DOM or 0.276 L g^-1 DOM respectively. Adding of catalyst Metaferm increases methane yield from chopped nettle or Canadian goldenrod by 1.2% or 3.4% respectively. All investigated biomass resources can be used for methane production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]