Maximizing synergies in nutrient and carbon cycles within biogas production ecosystems
Bio2Max
The combined technical-economic biogas production potential of biomasses suitable for biogas production is approximately 10 TWh, of which approximately 10 TWh is currently utilised. 1 TWh. In addition, there are plans to increase production by approx. 1 TWh between 2024 and 2027. Together with other agricultural side streams, manure provides the largest untapped raw material reserve for biogas production. Municipal and industrial sewage sludge is now almost fully utilised, but the noxious substances in these limit the usability of nutrients. Fertilisation potential of digestate from both agricultural biomasses and municipal and industrial sewage sludges can be enhanced by processing solid or liquid recycled fertilizer products from it. So far, the untapped biomethane processing by-product is BioCO2. Biogas contains 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide, so carbon capture can significantly reduce GHG emissions from biogas production.
In this work, processing options to produce recycled liquid and solid fertilization products and BioCO2 recovery and utilization as fertilizer are investigated. A biogas plant concept model will be generated and complemented with mass and energy balance calculations linked with different nutrient flows. Moreover, profitability and environmental impact (carbon sequestration, nutrient footprint, biodiversity footprint) of an upgraded biogas plant will be assessed.
