Biomass digestion and utilization

The central task for the bioeconomy is the material and energetic use of various biomasses. Depending on the requirements and tasks, processing technologies are needed that have to meet very different requirements in terms of power input, thermal and mechanical stress and chemical conversion. Plasma sources can meet these requirements in a wide range of applications.

For the treatment of manure, such as fermentation residues from biogas plants for further fermentation, a process has been developed that combines a plasma and ultrasonic source. The organic load of the fermentation residues can be broken down by means of plasma and ultrasound treatment and used for methane production. The newly developed innovative process also makes a significant contribution to avoiding harmful emissions, as ammonia and methane releases can be significantly reduced.

In addition, the plasma sources developed in the research focus also offer potential for the material utilization of substrates such as cellulose, lignin or sewage sludge, e.g. for the production of glucose, as well as the recycling of phosphorus.