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A review of biochar properties and their roles in mitigating challenges with anaerobic digestion

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  • Masebinu, S.O.
  • Akinlabi, E.T.
  • Muzenda, E.
  • Aboyade, A.O.

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an established organic waste management technology, producing biogas and organic fertiliser as end-products. Despite being an established technology, AD still faces key challenges, including process inefficiencies due to substrate-induced instability and product quality assurance; inability to digest highly lignocellulosic biomass without pre-treatment; and management of effluents and emissions. Commercial grade carbon-based materials have been employed as stabilising agent to improve process efficiency. Biochar, a by-product from biomass pyrolysis, has recently been identified as a sustainable alternative material to commercial grade carbon-based adsorbent used in AD. This review highlights the challenges with the AD process and the limitations of the various conventional approaches in its management. An exposition of the characteristics of biochar and the physico-chemical properties of biochar, that can simultaneously promote AD process stability, increase biomethane yield rate and the agronomic quality of digestate, are presented and discussed.

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  • Masebinu, S.O. & Akinlabi, E.T. & Muzenda, E. & Aboyade, A.O., 2019. "A review of biochar properties and their roles in mitigating challenges with anaerobic digestion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 291-307.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:103:y:2019:i:c:p:291-307
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.12.048
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    15. Mosleh Uddin, Md & Wen, Zhiyou & Mba Wright, Mark, 2022. "Techno-economic and environmental impact assessment of using corn stover biochar for manure derived renewable natural gas production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    16. Poblete, Israel Bernardo S. & Araujo, Ofélia de Queiroz F. & de Medeiros, José Luiz, 2020. "Dynamic analysis of sustainable biogas-combined-cycle plant: Time-varying demand and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
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    18. Malyan, Sandeep K. & Kumar, Smita S. & Fagodiya, Ram Kishor & Ghosh, Pooja & Kumar, Amit & Singh, Rajesh & Singh, Lakhveer, 2021. "Biochar for environmental sustainability in the energy-water-agroecosystem nexus," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    19. Tsigkou, Konstantina & Sventzouri, Eirini & Zafiri, Constantina & Kornaros, Michael, 2023. "Digestate recirculation rate optimization for the enhancement of hydrogen production: The case of disposable nappies and fruit/vegetable waste valorization in a mesophilic two-stage anaerobic digestio," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    20. Liza Nuriati Lim Kim Choo & Osumanu Haruna Ahmed & Nik Muhamad Nik Majid & Zakry Fitri Abd Aziz, 2021. "Pineapple Residue Ash Reduces Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Pineapple Cultivation on Tropical Peat Soils at Saratok, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, January.
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