BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM AMARANTH BIOMASS

Energy variety of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) was grown in large-scale trials in order to verify the capability of its cultivation and use as a renewable energy source in a biogas plant. The possibility of biogas production using anaerobic co-fermentation of manure and amaranth silage was verified in the experimental horizontal fermentor of 5 m³ volume, working at mesophilic conditions of 38-40 °C. The goal of the work was also to identify the optimum conditions for growth, harvesting and preservation of amaranth biomass, to optimize biogas production process, and to test the residual slurry from digestion process as a high quality organic fertilizer. The average yield of green amaranth biomass was 51.66 t.ha^-1 with dry matter content of 37%. Based on the reached results it can be concluded that amaranth silage, solely or together with another organic materials of agricultural origin, is a suitable raw material for biogas production.