ICDSUPL4-E017

Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT

Abstract number: E017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E017

Published online: 9 April 2025

ICDSUPL, 4, E017 (2025)

Biogas potential of post-production waste from the production of snack pellets with the addition of selected plant pomace

Jakub Soja^1*, Maciej Combrzyński¹, Tomasz Oniszczuk¹, Michał Staniak²

¹ Department of Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 31, 20-612 Lublin, Poland

² Students’ Scientific Society of Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 31, 20-612 Lublin, Poland

^{* Corresponding author: jakub.soja@up.lublin.pl}

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable energy solutions has intensified research into biogas production from food processing waste. Food industry generates considerable amounts of organic residues rich in carbohydrates, making them highly suitable substrates for anaerobic digestion. This study evaluates the biogas potential of snack pellet waste enriched with selected plant pomace such as apple, chokeberry, pumpkin, flaxseed and nigella seed. These byproducts represent an underutilized resource with significant potential for renewable energy production and food waste reduction. The biogas potential of post-production wastes from the extrusion-cooking process was evaluated based on the type and percentage of plant pomace in the extrudates. Methane fermentation experiments were conducted under mesophilic conditions using a proprietary bioreactor with controlled parameters such as temperature, pH, and substrate concentration. Gas volume and composition were systematically analyzed over time to determine biogas and methane efficiency, following standard methodologies and ensuring reliability through three independent replicates. Nigella seed pomace significantly increased methane productivity, reaching 51.39% methane content and 337.04 m³ CH₄/Mg at 30% addition. Flaxseed pomace maintained stable methane content (47.42–48.95%) and steady biogas productivity, ensuring fermentation stability. Apple pomace showed moderate methane efficiency variations, while chokeberry pomace increased methane content but reduced cumulative production at higher concentrations. Pumpkin pomace exhibited consistent methane content and production across all concentrations, supporting stable biogas efficiency. The analyzed post production waste demonstrate high potential as substrates for biogas production with variations in methane efficiency and stability depending on the type and concentration. Their utilization in anaerobic digestion can enhance renewable energy generation while promoting sustainable waste management.

Keywords: extrusion-cooking process, post-production waste, biogas efficiency, plant pomace

How to cite

J. Soja, M. Combrzyński, T. Oniszczuk, M. Staniak, 2025. Biogas potential of post-production waste from the production of snack pellets with the addition of selected plant pomace. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E017