Potential of Napier grass Pak Chong 1 as feedstock for biofuel production

This research examined the potential of biofuel (biogas) production from Napier grass Pak Chong 1 (NP1) that growth in degraded lands. NP1 was grown in the degraded lands that low nutrients in the soil contained low lignocellulosic content. Moreover, NP1 was only physical pretreatment before feed into the biogas system. The biogas production system was co-digestion between NP1 and swine manure. NP1 was consist of cellulose 14.48 ± 1.43%, hemicellulose 6.87 ± 3.36%, and lignin 4.76 ± 2.97%, respectively. The substrate ratio of NP1 and swine manure were 1:2 that suitable for biogas production from lignocellulosic material. Biogas production system was showed pH 7.0–7.9, which appropriate for biogas production. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were used with methanogenic bacteria for methane production. In terms, the highest percentage of methane production was obtained 72.36 ± 1.03% within 21 days. Total biogas production was obtained 20,860 ± 170.59 ml that consist of CH4, CO2, H2S. Methane production potential (Hmax) and maximum production rate (Rmax) were obtained 9,280.80 ± 187.73 ml was obtained 872.20 ± 30.25 mL h−1, respectively. This studied was showed that NP1 in degraded land can be used as raw material for biogas production. Therefore, methane production from Napier grass Pak Chong 1 in degraded land that can be promoted to energy crop for rural area in Thailand