Biogas Potential from Vetiveria Zizaniodes (L.) Planted for Ecological Restoration in China

Biogas is a promising renewable fuel all over the world. The experiment of biogas productivity from vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) was carried out to study the effect of different harvest times on the biogas yield and the dynamics of some fermentation parameters during 2011-2012. Micro-aerobic fermentation technology is used at the pretreatment of the vetiver plants. The batch anaerobic digestion technology and drainage collection process were used. The results showed that the harvest time of vetiver plants had greater effect on the biogas yield. There were more deferences among the biogas yield, daily biogas yield and biomass utilization of the plants growing at different stages. Plant nutrient had less changes during anaerobic fermentation. The results suggested that Vetiveria zizanioides could be used as a raw material of biogas production and both ecological protect and energy production could exist in a mutually beneficial system.