Gas yield Methane content
Substrate (l/kg VS*) (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pig manure 340-550 65-70
Cow manure 90-310 65
Poultry droppings 310-620 60
Horse manure 200-300
Sheep manure 90-310
Barnyard dung 175-280
Wheat straw 200-300 50-60
Rye straw 200-300 59
Barley straw 250-300 59
Oats straw 290-310 59
Corn straw 380-460 59
Rape straw 200
Rice straw 170-280
Rice seed coat 105
Flax 360 59
Hemp 360 59
Grass 280-550 70
Elephant grass 430-560 60
Cane trash (bagasse) 165
Broom 405
Reed 170
Clover 430-490
Vegetables residue 330-360
Potato tops/greens 280-490
Field/sugar beet greens 400-500
Sunflower leaves 300 59
Agricultural waste 310-430 60-70
Seeds 620
Peanut shells 365
Fallen leaves 210-290 58
Water hyacinth 375
Algae 420-500 63
Sewage sludge 310-740
Table B1: Gas yields and methane contents for various substrates at the end of a 10-20 day retention time at a process temperature of roughly 30°C.
Source: Production and Utilization of Biogas in Rural Areas of Industrialized and Developing Countries, Schriftenreihe der gtz, No. 97, pg. 63, after: Felix Maramba, Biogas and Waste Recycling - The Phillipine Experience; Metro Manila, Phillipines, 1978
* VS = Total volatile solids, e.g. ca. 9% of total liquid manure mass for cows
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