초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Brown seaweed may be an option as a feedstock for gaseous biofuel production. This paper proposed a detailed study on the impacts of various segments of seaweed thalli on the biomethane production. <I>Ascophyllum nodosum</I>, <I>Laminaria digitata</I>, <I>Laminaria hyperborea</I>, <I>Saccharina latissima</I> and <I>Saccorhiza polyschides</I> have shown significant variation in proximate, ultimate and biochemical composition in various segments of their thalli. The highest biomethane potential of 286 L CH<SUB>4</SUB> kg VS<SUP>−1</SUP> was recorded from the stipe of <I>L. digitata</I>, whereas the lowest value of 118 L CH<SUB>4</SUB> kg VS<SUP>−1</SUP> was obtained from the holdfast of <I>L. hyperborean</I>. Due to the accumulated salt in the holdfast, the biomethane performance was reduced compared with the frond and stipe. The specific yield per fresh weight of seaweed was measured in the range of 10 to 32 m<SUP>3</SUP> CH<SUB>4</SUB> t<SUP>−1</SUP> <SUB>wwt</SUB>. Considering the dominant role of fresh thallus, the frond was the most significant part for seaweed biogas production.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Biomethane potential of segments of the seaweed thallus varied significantly. </LI> <LI> The biomethane potential was in the range of 118 to 286 L CH<SUB>4</SUB> kg VS<SUP>−1</SUP>. </LI> <LI> The frond is the most significant seaweed segment for biomethane production. </LI> <LI> The holdfast has least biomethane potential due to salt accumulation. </LI> </UL> </P>