Abstract
Twelve hydrothermal pre-treatment combinations of temperature (150 and 180°C), time (10 and 20min) and acid catalyst (no catalyst; H2SO4 at 2% w/w immediately before steam cooking or in 24-h pre-soaking) were tested to assess their effects on methane yield of Giant reed biomass vs. untreated control. A batch anaerobic digestion was conducted with 4gVSl−1 at 53°C for 39days. Untreated biomass exhibited a potential CH4 yield of 273mlg−1 VS; the four pre-treatments without acid catalyst achieved a 10%, 7%, 23% and 4% yield gain in the respective temperature/time combinations 150°C/10min, 150°C/20min, 180°C/10min and 180°C/20min. Conversely, the eight pre-treatments with H2SO4 catalyst incurred a methanogenic inhibition in association with high SO42- concentration in the hydrolysate, known to enhance sulphate reducing bacteria. Furfurals were also detected in the hydrolysate of five strong pre-treatments with H2SO4 catalyst.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Bioresource Technology |
Volume | 147 |
Pages (from-to) | 152-159 |
ISSN | 0960-8524 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- Anaerobic digestion
- Biomass pre-treatments
- Steam cooking
- Potential methane yield
- Biodegradability