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Biochar and Its Potential Application for the Improvement of the Anaerobic Digestion Process: A Critical Review

Author

Listed:
  • Musa Manga

    (Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 166 Rosenau Hall, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box # 7431, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

  • Christian Aragón-Briceño

    (Department of Industry and Energy, CIRCE-Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Panagiotis Boutikos

    (Center for Research and Technology—Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Swaib Semiyaga

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda)

  • Omotunde Olabinjo

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife A234, Nigeria)

  • Chimdi C. Muoghalu

    (Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 166 Rosenau Hall, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box # 7431, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

Abstract

Poor management of organic waste is a key environmental and public health issue as it contributes to environmental contamination and the spread of diseases. Anaerobic digestion (AD) presents an efficient method for organic waste management while generating energy and nutrient-rich digestate. However, the AD process is limited by key factors, which include process inefficiencies from substrate-induced instability, poor quality digestate, and poor management of effluent and emissions. Lately, there has been more interest in the use of biochar for improving anaerobic digestion. Biochar can improve methane production by speeding up the methanogenesis stage, protecting microorganisms from toxic shocks, and reducing inhibition from ammonia and volatile fatty acids. It can be applied for in situ cleanup of biogas to remove carbon dioxide. Applying biochar in AD is undergoing intensive research and development; however, there are still unresolved factors and challenges, such as the influence of feedstock source and pyrolysis on the performance of biochar when it is added to the AD process. In light of these considerations, this review sheds more light on various potential uses of biochar to complement or improve the AD process. This review also considers the mechanisms through which biochar enhances methane production rate, biochar’s influence on the resulting digestate, and areas for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Musa Manga & Christian Aragón-Briceño & Panagiotis Boutikos & Swaib Semiyaga & Omotunde Olabinjo & Chimdi C. Muoghalu, 2023. "Biochar and Its Potential Application for the Improvement of the Anaerobic Digestion Process: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4051-:d:1145665
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dianxi Zhang & Muhammad Safdar Sial & Naveed Ahmad & António José Filipe & Phung Anh Thu & Malik Zia-Ud-Din & António Bento Caleiro, 2020. "Water Scarcity and Sustainability in an Emerging Economy: A Management Perspective for Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Musa Manga & Chimdi Muoghalu & Miller A. Camargo-Valero & Barbara E. Evans, 2023. "Effect of Turning Frequency on the Survival of Fecal Indicator Microorganisms during Aerobic Composting of Fecal Sludge with Sawdust," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Musa Manga & Barbara E. Evans & Tula M. Ngasala & Miller A. Camargo-Valero, 2022. "Recycling of Faecal Sludge: Nitrogen, Carbon and Organic Matter Transformation during Co-Composting of Faecal Sludge with Different Bulking Agents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-22, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Yousaf Arshad & Salaha Saeed & Ahsan Raza & Anum Suhail Ahmad & Agnieszka Urbanowska & Mateusz Jackowski & Lukasz Niedzwiecki, 2023. "Integrating Life Cycle Assessment and Machine Learning to Enhance Black Soldier Fly Larvae-Based Composting of Kitchen Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Muhammad Yousaf Arshad & Muhammad Azam Saeed & Muhammad Wasim Tahir & Ahsan Raza & Anam Suhail Ahmad & Fasiha Tahir & Bartłomiej Borkowski & Tadeusz Mączka & Lukasz Niedzwiecki, 2023. "Role of Experimental, Modeling, and Simulation Studies of Plasma in Sustainable Green Energy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-35, September.
    3. Christian Aragón-Briceño & Panagiotis Boutikos & Musa Manga, 2024. "Editorial: Special Issue “From Waste to Energy: Anaerobic Digestion Technologies”," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-3, October.

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