This spring, Inagro conducted an experiment in which residues from chicory cultivation were fermented in a pocket digester. The project is part of the ChicoryRePowered Operational Group, which investigates the possibilities of small-scale fermentation within the chicory sector. This initiative focuses on reducing energy consumption and making cultivation more sustainable by converting vegetable waste into renewable energy.
Fermentation process tested in practice
In the first phase of the project, it was determined on a laboratory scale how much biogas can be produced from chicory residues. This process was then put into practice by feeding Inagro's pocket digester with vegetable waste from the chicory sector for four months. Pocket digesters are small-scale digesters, specifically developed for agricultural companies, in which micro-organisms convert organic material into biogas. This biogas can be converted into green energy and heat via cogeneration.
Chicory remains as a food source
Chicory growers have indicated that they are particularly interested in valuing leaf waste. However, the experiment showed that biogas production decreased significantly as the amount of leaves in the digester increased. This result confirms previous laboratory tests, which had already shown that chicory leaves have a low biogas potential.
To maintain biological activity in the digester, energy-rich food such as chicory roots is necessary. However, due to poor weather conditions in 2023, these carrots were scarce. To keep the fermentation process running, the installation was also fed with silage maize and other residual flows such as leek and cabbage.
H. Naeyaert, researcher at Inagro, explains: “During the four-month test period, the digester was fed a total of 170 tons of chicory roots, 270 tons of chicory leaves, 65 tons of corn silage and 70 tons of other residues. This resulted in the generation of 50 MWh of green energy and 100 MWh of heat.”
A detailed report of this experiment will be published at the end of this year upon completion of the project.
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