Biogas - Influence of Trace Elements on the Formation of Biogas from Crop Ensilage

Plants operating only with maize ensilage show a decrease of methane production after 1 year approximately. Probably the mixed culture of microorganisms get a deficiency in nutrients and trace elements. In the present work we will investigate the influence of trace elements such as Ni, Co, Se, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, and also the macroelements Ca, P, K, S, Mg, Na. In practice we operate with batch fermentations and different trace element concentrations. We determine the influence of the elements over the methane yield in the increasing biogas. Furthermore a extensive analytics should be performed. Parallel to the fermentation trials and the analytical investigations we will determine the bacterial community with molecularbiological techniques.