Investigating the Biomethane Production Potential of Blends of Bovine Manure with Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) and Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris L.) Foliage

The research aimed to evaluate the biomethane (CH4) content of biogas generated from various combinations of cattle waste (CW), three different varieties of Switchgrass (SG) (Panicum virgatum L.) plants (Kanlow (SG1), Shawne (SG2), Alamo (SG3), and sugar beet (Beta Vulgaris L.) leaves (BL). A laboratory-scale biomethane application setup was established to determine the biomethane potential. Three different experimental designs were implemented as the 1st application group, 2nd application group, and 3rd application group within the research framework. Biogas produced in the setup was stored using valves and balloons under optimal storage conditions. The Optima Biogas - Portable Biogas Analyzer device was employed to analyze the biomethane content of biogas samples from the materials and mixtures in the application groups. Biogas values were recorded, and glass reactor-specific methane production values were calculated. The highest glass reactor-specific methane production value was found to be 7.28 m3CH4 m-3 Reactor day in the CW (50%)-SG (20%)-BL (30%) mixture. The components of the biogas produced from the treatment groups were identified, and the highest CH4 (biomethane) yield was obtained from BL (beet leaves) at 58.86% in materials and from the CW-BL mixture at 53.76% in mixtures. Biomethane yields of the materials in other mixtures ranged from 53.42% to 43.12%.