Euphorbia tirucalli biogas

Euphorbia tirucalli (petroleum plant) is a tropical plant with a high potential biomass production. Past research in the energy applications of the crop have focused mainly on extraction and use of its latex. This latex can be used for rubber production and it contains gasoline-like hydrocarbons. Extraction and refining of the latex for these purposes has been extensively studied and was found to be unprofitable. Dried Euphorbia tirucalli (chopped pieces or briquetted) has also been tested as feedstock for gasification. Current research focuses on its use as feedstock for biogas.

This report describes the results of a short desk study and experiments on the biogas yield of Euphorbia tirucalli (ET) in anaerobic digestion. The desk study was carried out by FACT staff, and the experiments were conducted by Ingenia from 16 November 2010 until 12 December 2010. On the right is a picture of a Euphorbia tirucalli plantation in Colombia (2010).