BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM REED CANARY GRASS AND SILAGE OF MIXED OATS AND BARLEY

There is a need to find acceptable crops for energy production for the climatic and soil conditions of Latvia. Average annual dry matter yields from fodder red canary grass, oats and barley mixed or maize vary 7-11.2 t ha(-1), 5-8 t ha(-1) or 12-16 t ha(-1) under the climatic conditions of Latvia. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L), oats-barley silage and maize silage were investigated for biogas production in anaerobic digestion process in 6 digesters of volume 5l operated in batch mode at the temperature of 38 degrees C. Average biogas yields from reed canary grass, oats-barley silage or maize silage was 263 l kg(VSd)(-1), 527 l kg(VSd)(-)1 or 553 l kg(VSd)(-1) respectively. Average methane content was 48 %, 56 % or 53 % in biogas from reed canary grass, oats-barley silage or maize silage respectively.