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Understanding the Influence of Biochar Augmentation in Anaerobic Digestion by Principal Component Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Quintana-Najera

    (Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacan 80010, Mexico
    School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • A. John Blacker

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
    Institute of Process Research and Development, School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Louise A. Fletcher

    (School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Andrew B. Ross

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

Abstract

Biochar addition in anaerobic digestion has been repeatedly reported to improve methane production, however, this ability is not well understood. This work aims to understand and correlate the most important factors influencing anaerobic digestion performance using principal component analysis along with quantitative and qualitative descriptive analysis to evaluate the variations of methane production with the addition of biochar. Reports from the literature using biochar produced from several feedstocks under variable pyrolysis conditions and therefore different compositions were carefully gathered and compared with their own non-biochar controls. Woody-derived biochars, produced at 450–550 °C, containing an ash content of 3.1–6.3%, and an O:C ratio of 0.20, were responsible for having the greatest positive effect. The amount of biochar added to the digesters also influences anaerobic digestion performance. Increasing biochar loads favours the production rate, although this can be detrimental to methane yields, thereby, biochar loads of approximately 0.4–0.6% ( w / v ) appear to be optimal. This work provides a guide for those interested in biochar augmentation in anaerobic digestion and identifies the main interactions between the variables involved.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Quintana-Najera & A. John Blacker & Louise A. Fletcher & Andrew B. Ross, 2023. "Understanding the Influence of Biochar Augmentation in Anaerobic Digestion by Principal Component Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:6:p:2523-:d:1090380
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deng, Chen & Lin, Richen & Kang, Xihui & Wu, Benteng & O’Shea, Richard & Murphy, Jerry D., 2020. "Improving gaseous biofuel yield from seaweed through a cascading circular bioenergy system integrating anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    2. Chibueze G. Achi & Amro Hassanein & Stephanie Lansing, 2020. "Enhanced Biogas Production of Cassava Wastewater Using Zeolite and Biochar Additives and Manure Co-Digestion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Jessica Quintana-Najera & A. John Blacker & Louise A. Fletcher & Douglas G. Bray & Andrew B. Ross, 2022. "The Influence of Biochar Augmentation and Digestion Conditions on the Anaerobic Digestion of Water Hyacinth," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Chiappero, Marco & Norouzi, Omid & Hu, Mingyu & Demichelis, Francesca & Berruti, Franco & Di Maria, Francesco & Mašek, Ondřej & Fiore, Silvia, 2020. "Review of biochar role as additive in anaerobic digestion processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    5. De la Rubia, M.A. & Villamil, J.A. & Rodriguez, J.J. & Mohedano, A.F., 2018. "Effect of inoculum source and initial concentration on the anaerobic digestion of the liquid fraction from hydrothermal carbonisation of sewage sludge," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 697-704.
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    1. 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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