Algae biochar enhanced methanogenesis by enriching specific methanogens at low inoculation ratio during sludge anaerobic digestion

Carbon materials are promising in improving the performance of anaerobic digestion, however, interactive mechanisms between the carbon-based enhancement and operating parameters remained unclear. Using anaerobic digested sludge as inoculum, the effects of Taihu blue algae biochar (ABC) on methanogenesis at different inoculation ratios were investigated during sludge anaerobic digestion. Results showed that ABC enhanced methane productions at the lower inoculation ratios (4% and 1%, v/v), but not at the higher ratio (10%, v/v). Mechanism analysis demonstrated methanogenic improvements at the lower inoculation ratios were not owing to initial organic loading rate increments. Otherwise, ABC addition at the lower inoculation ratios were more favorable for the enrichment of Methanosarcina than the higher ratio, which might be benefit for methanogenesis through directed interspecies electron transfer. Thus, for the improvement of sludge anaerobic digestion, the microbial enrichments at different inoculation ratios would be more important than the merely biochar addition.

Automated summary

The study found that adding Taihu blue algae biochar (ABC) at different inoculation ratios can enhance methane production, with more favorable enrichment of Methanosarcina at lower inoculation ratios. Mechanism analysis showed that the improvements in methane production at lower inoculation ratios were not due to initial organic loading rate increments.