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Using Grass Cuttings from Sports Fields for Anaerobic Digestion and Combustion

Author

Listed:
  • Meike Nitsche

    (Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Frank Hensgen

    (Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Michael Wachendorf

    (Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

Abstract

Sports fields provide a recreation space for citizens, but also generate grass biomass, which is cut weekly during the main seasons and therefore could be used in energy generation (combustion or anaerobic digestion). To evaluate the technical suitability of the grass cuttings, silage was produced from four sports fields during one vegetation period and investigated for relevant properties. Potential methane yield was determined with batch tests. Mean methane yield was 291.86 l N ·kg −1 VS added (VS, volatile solid). Neutral detergent fiber concentration was low (44.47% DM, dry matter), yet mineral concentration was high in comparison to grass types cut at a lower frequency. Concentrations of Cl, N, and S, which may lead to unfavorable emissions, fouling, and corrosion during combustion, were too high for an unproblematic combustion process. This was still the case even after applying a mineral-reducing pretreatment, which generates a fiber-rich press cake and a press fluid rich in easy soluble substances. Digestion of the press fluid led to methane yields of 340.10 l N ·kg −1 VS added and the press cake had a higher heating value of 19.61 MJ·kg −1 DM, which is close to that of coniferous wood. It can be concluded that biomass from sports fields could be a suitable co-substrate in bio-energy generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Meike Nitsche & Frank Hensgen & Michael Wachendorf, 2017. "Using Grass Cuttings from Sports Fields for Anaerobic Digestion and Combustion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:3:p:388-:d:93434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Hari Arti Khalsa & Frank Döhling & Florian Berger, 2016. "Foliage and Grass as Fuel Pellets–Small Scale Combustion of Washed and Mechanically Leached Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Meike Nitsche & Nodirjon Nurmatov & Frank Hensgen & Michael Wachendorf, 2017. "Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Leaf Litter Designated for Combustion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Daniel Pick & Martin Dieterich & Sebastian Heintschel, 2012. "Biogas Production Potential from Economically Usable Green Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-21, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ben Joseph & Frank Hensgen & Lutz Bühle & Michael Wachendorf, 2018. "Solid Fuel Production from Semi-Natural Grassland Biomass—Results from a Commercial-Scale IFBB Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Van Meerbeek, Koenraad & Muys, Bart & Hermy, Martin, 2019. "Lignocellulosic biomass for bioenergy beyond intensive cropland and forests," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 139-149.
    3. Łukasz Sobol & Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Alessandro Suardi & Rainer Preißmann, 2021. "Analysis of the Possibility of Energetic Utilization of Biomass Obtained from Grass Mowing of a Large-Area Golf Course—A Case Study of Tuscany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Moritz von Cossel & Andrea Bauerle & Meike Boob & Ulrich Thumm & Martin Elsaesser & Iris Lewandowski, 2019. "The Performance of Mesotrophic Arrhenatheretum Grassland under Different Cutting Frequency Regimes for Biomass Production in Southwest Germany," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Elsayed, Mahmoud & Blel, Walid & Soliman, Mohamed & Andres, Yves & Hassan, Raouf, 2021. "Semi-continuous co-digestion of sludge, fallen leaves, and grass performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    6. Rui Wang & Yanyou Wu & Deke Xing & Hongtao Hang & Xiaolin Xie & Xiuqun Yang & Kaiyan Zhang & Sen Rao, 2017. "Biomass Production of Three Biofuel Energy Plants’ Use of a New Carbon Resource by Carbonic Anhydrase in Simulated Karst Soils: Mechanism and Capacity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, September.
    7. Frank Hensgen & Michael Wachendorf, 2018. "Aqueous Leaching Prior to Dewatering Improves the Quality of Solid Fuels from Grasslands," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-13, April.
    8. Aaron E. Brown & James M. Hammerton & Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero & Andrew B. Ross, 2022. "Integration of Hydrothermal Carbonisation and Anaerobic Digestion for the Energy Valorisation of Grass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-21, May.
    9. Spyridon Achinas & Johan Horjus & Vasileios Achinas & Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink, 2019. "A PESTLE Analysis of Biofuels Energy Industry in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-24, October.

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