Influence of Animal/Plant Activated Biochar Properties on Methane Production from Corn Stalk by Anaerobic Fermentation

Activated biochar (ABC) was prepared from typical plant/animal biochar (pig bone biochar/corn stalk biochar) by optimizing the gas production characteristics of anaerobic fermentation. The effects of the physical and chemical properties (specific surface area, surface functional group and conductivity) of ABC on the gas production characteristics of anaerobic fermentation were investigated. The results showed that the effect of pig-bone activated biochar (PABC) on anaerobic fermentation gas production characteristics was better than that of corn-stalk activated biochar (CABC). The peak period of gas production or methane production was up to 4 days earlier than that of the control group, and the cumulative methane production was up to 68% higher; this can shorten the fermentation period for up to 7 days, and the effect of stabilizing pH is better. In addition, the surface functional groups are not the dominant factors affecting the gas production characteristics, but the effects of conductivity and specific surface area cannot be neglected. For most experimental groups, when the specific surface area of PABC is more than 90 m(2)/g and the specific surface area of CABC is more than 100 m(2)/g. Methane production increases with the specific surface area increases and the controllable range of CBAC is relatively wider than that of PBAC. When the conductivity of CABC is more than 650 mu S/cm and the conductivity of PABC is more than 1000 mu S/cm, the conductivity has a positive correlation with methane production.

Automated summary

Activated biochar (ABC) was prepared by optimizing the gas production characteristics of anaerobic fermentation from typical plant/animal biochar. The physical and chemical properties of ABC (specific surface area, surface functional group, and conductivity) were found to affect the gas production characteristics of anaerobic fermentation. The pig-bone activated biochar (PABC) showed better effects on gas production characteristics compared to corn-stalk activated biochar (CABC), with earlier peak period and higher cumulative methane production. The specific surface area and conductivity were found to be important factors influencing methane production.