Work

A Combination of Mechanical, Chemical, and Thermal Pretreatments of Agricultural Feedstocks Enhances Biomethane Yields in Advanced Anaerobic Digestion

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Multi-step Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD) pretreatment of feedstocks increases biogas yields compared to non-pretreated feedstocks and is key to the processing of recalcitrant lignocellulosic feedstock to make commercial biogas production more economically viable. Here, we present several low energy and eco-friendly pretreatments to commercially relevant lignocellulosic feedstocks (rye and maize), to increase biomethane yields. In this study the impact of two heating treatments, 55 °C and at 80 °C, the addition of a bio-organic catalyst (BOC), and mechanical particle size reduction by cavitation were investigated. For both feedstocks, thermal pretreatment significantly increased both solubility and enhanced biogas yield (8.6 – 136.6%), with maize responding better to a temperature of 55 °C (136.6% increase) and rye to 80 °C (62% increase). The BOC addition enhanced the rye yield (14%) but decreased from maize (4%), and cavitation enhanced the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) of rye (38.7%) but had an inhibitory effect on maize (10.6%). The results of this multi-process study demonstrate the efficacy of low energy pretreatments for lignocellulosic material that can be applied to existing AD plants.

Source: BioEnergy Research

DOI: 10.1007/s12155-025-10846-8

Authors: Nichola Austen, Helen Theaker, Nicholas A. Tenci, Alan Beesley, Ian P. Thompson

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Oxford, Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Language: English

Topic: Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990