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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Anaerobic digestion is an industrial process applied to organic wastes treatment with several environmental and
energetic advantages over other forms of treatment and specially when is integrated in the agriculture sector (Möller,
2009; Prochnow, 2009; Chynoweth, 1987). In addition to the organic wastes treatment there is an emerging interest
in the production of biomethane as a biocombustible through anaerobic digestion of biomass and / or energy crops
(IEA, 2010; Chanakya, 2009; CONCAWE, 2008; Tilche, 2008; Yadvika, 2004; Gunaseelan, 1997; Chynoweth,
1987). Cynara cardunculus L. or commonly known as cardoon is a perennial herb or herbaceous crop native to
Mediterranean region, grown since ancient times as a wild plant or as vegetable using intensive management
techniques (Ortega, 2007; Fernández, 2006). The average biomass annual production varies from 15 to 20 tons of
biomass/ha depending on soil and rainfall with 11% of moisture content and the following biomass partitioning: 40
% stalks, 25% leaves and 35 % capitula (Gominho, 2001 and 2008). Different studies have been shown the high
potential of this plant as energy crop: the aerial biomass used as a solid biofuel and the oil from seeds used for the
production of biodiesel (Fernández, 2006). However, the interest in their use in the production of biomethane has
never been investigated. Different studies show that the addition of biomass or energy crops to the anaerobic
digestion of cattle dung or the anaerobic digestion of energy crops residues with the addition of partially digested
cattle dung or sewage digested sludge enhanced biogas production and methane yield (Chanakya, 2009; Yadvika,
2004). The goal of the research performed on Cynara cardunculus L. was to increase the knowledge about the use
of this promising industrial crop for biogas production in Mediterranean countries or countries with similar edaphoclimate
conditions
Description
RAMIRAN International Conference
Keywords
Cynara cardunculus anaerobic digestion