Investigation on the effect of different additives on anaerobic co-digestion of corn straw and sewage sludge: Comparison of biochar, Fe3O4, and magnetic biochar

The co-digestion of corn straw and sewage sludge with different additives (biochar, magnetic biochar, Fe3O4) were investigated. The highest cumulative methane yield of 245.15 mL/g VSadded was obtained with the Fe3O4 addition ratio of 5 g/kg, which was 60.47% higher than that of the control run (without additives). The lag phase time was shortened from 5.46 to 3.82 days with a biochar dosage of 5 g/kg. The performance of Fe3O4 on methane production from the co-digestion process was better than that of the biochar and magnetic biochar. The direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) was enhanced with regard to the increased concentration of acetic acid and decreased concentration of propionic acid. Microbial community analysis showed that the Geobacter and Methanosarcina were selectively enriched on the surface of Fe3O4, promoting the DIET and acetoclastic methanogenesis pathway. The cost-benefit analysis proved that the strategy of recycling Fe3O4 additive has the best economic benefit.

Automated summary

The study revealed that the addition of Fe3O4 additive had the best effect on methane production during the co-digestion of corn straw and sewage sludge, significantly increasing methane yield. Biochar and magnetic biochar showed relatively limited effectiveness compared to Fe3O4, which can enhance direct interspecies electron transfer and methane production pathways. Additionally, cost-benefit analysis demonstrated that recycling Fe3O4 additive is the most economically beneficial strategy.