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Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2020) | Viewed by 64184

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Luis Isidoro Romero Garcia

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
Interests: biological treatment of residues; anaerobic digestion; biogas; bio-hydrogen; bio-reactors; polyhydroxyalkanoates; pretreatments

Dr. Carlos José Alvarez Gallego

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
Interests: treatment of residues; anaerobic digestion; biogas; bio-hydrogen; bio-reactors; polyhydroxyalkanoates; pretreatments

Dr. Luis Alberto Fernández Guelfo

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Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Technologies, CASEM building, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain
Interests: treatment of residues; anaerobic digestion; biogas; bio-hydrogen; bio-reactors; polyhydroxyalkanoates; pretreatments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The overall aim of this Special Issue of Applied Sciences is to offer a view of the possibilities of the utilization of lignocellulosic biomass as a substrate in anaerobic co-digestion for bioenergy production in order to get deeper into the future energy market.

Lignocellulosic biomass is an underutilized carbon source that can be used for several applications in green economy, including bioenergy generation. Anaerobic digestion is one of the most promising processes for bioenergy production, which has a neutral balance of carbon dioxide when vegetal biomass is used. However, lignocellulosic materials are deficient in nutrients content, and hence the biological degradation process is limited in terms of process kinetics and yield. Anaerobic co-digestion of organic wastes is a widely used option to balance nutrients, dilute inhibitors, promote the degradation of recalcitrant substrates, and optimize waste management, etc. In addition, the breakdown of the lignocellulosic fibers presents significant limitations. To overcome this situation, the application of pretreatments and/or co-digestion with active co-substrates from a hydrolytic point of view can be used.

Therefore, we invite the submission of manuscripts in subjects related to anaerobic co-digestion aimed at bioenergy production (biomethane, biohydrogen, and biohythane) from lignocellulosic substrates, including but not limited to the following:

Pretreatments of lignocellulosic materials (e.g., chemical, biological, thermal, and physical) to enhance biodegradability and biogas yield;
Applied microbiology to process control and microbial dynamics characterization;
Kinetics modelling for substrate degradation and product formation;
Degradation pathways of the lignocellulosic fractions;
A two-phase process for biohythane production and other options for the utilization of the volatile fatty acids produced by dark fermentation;
The improvement of biogas production by using process enhancers (e.g., nanoparticles);
Inhibitors of the process and inoculum adaptation to lignocellulosic-type wastes;
Anaerobic technologies and process configurations applied to the improvement of lignocellulosic materials degradation.

Prof. Luis Isidoro Romero Garcia
Dr. Carlos José Alvarez Gallego
Dr. Luis Alberto Fernández Guelfo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

lignocellulosic
anaerobic co-digestion
dark fermentation
pretreatments
bioenergy
biohydrogen
biogas
biohythane

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 204 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial of the Special Issue “Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Wastes”

by Luis Isidoro Romero-García, Carlos José Álvarez-Gallego and Luis Alberto Fernández-Güelfo

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7399; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217399 - 22 Oct 2020

Viewed by 1436

Abstract

Carbohydrates from vegetal biomass (wood and agricultural biomass) are the focus of biorefinery strategies [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

11 pages, 716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water-Soluble Sugars of Pedigreed Sorghum Mutant Stalks and Their Recovery after Pretreatment

by Youjie Xu, Jun Li, Zhanguo Xin, Scott R. Bean, Michael Tilley and Donghai Wang

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(16), 5472; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10165472 - 7 Aug 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2599

Abstract

Chemical composition of biomass, especially carbohydrate content, is a critical indicator of a biomass source’s potential for biofuel applications. This study characterized physico-chemical properties of stalks from 16 representative pedigreed sorghum mutant lines. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the recovery of sucrose and its hydrolysis products, glucose and fructose, during dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment at conditions typically used for lignocellulosic biomass, and to determine the relationship between water-extractive contents and sugar recovery after pretreatment. Dilute acid-pretreated sorghum stalks had enzymatic saccharification of >82.4% glucose yield for all treated samples with more than 82.3% cellulose recovery and 85% hemicellulose removal. A single-step, one-pot process was recommended for sorghum mutant stalks with low water-extractive content (<35%, w/w) to reduce processing cost and minimize wastewater disposal since the majority of sugars will be recovered after dilute acid pretreatment with minimal degradation products. However, for sorghum mutant stalks with high water-extractive content (>35%, w/w), a pre-washing step is beneficial to recover the water-soluble sugars before subjecting to the pretreatment process in order to avoid sugar losses during the pretreatment stage. Thus, different processing technologies should be applied to lignocellulosic biomass with various water-extractive contents and water-soluble sugar concentrations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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16 pages, 2272 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Insights into Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Biomass (Sugar Beet By-Products) and Animal Manure in Long-Term Semi-Continuous Assays

by Kaoutar Aboudi, Xiomara Gómez-Quiroga, Carlos José Álvarez-Gallego and Luis Isidoro Romero-García

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(15), 5126; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10155126 - 26 Jul 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2670

Abstract

Biogas production through anaerobic digestion has proven to be one of the most important pillars of the transition into the circular economy concept, a sustainable approach for biorefinery. This work aims to extend and improve knowledge in the anaerobic co-digestion of complementary substrates, given insights into wastes biodegradability and the influence of manure composition on the anaerobic process stability. Anaerobic co-digestion of sugar beet by-products with two kinds of animal manure (pig and cow) was investigated in semi-continuous assays, analyzing both common and non-classical parameters. Co-digestion with manure clearly mitigated the inhibitory effect of volatile fatty acids at high organic loading rates, leading to increases in methane production by 70% and 31% in comparison with individual digestion of sugar beet by-products, for co-digestion with pig and cow manure, respectively. Non-classical parameters could give more insight into the coupling/uncoupling of the anaerobic digestion phases and the involved microorganisms. Indirect parameters indicated that the process failure at the critical organic loading rates was mainly due to methanogenesis inhibition in the co-digestion with pig manure, while in co-digestion with cow manure or in individual digestion of sugar beet by-products, both hydrolysis–acidogenesis and methanogenesis phases were affected. Biomethanation degree refers to the maximum methane potential of organic wastes. Sugar beet by-products required a long digestion-time to reach high biodegradability. However, short digestion-times for co-digestion assays led to a high biomethanation degree. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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10 pages, 865 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improvement of Anaerobic Digestion of Hydrolysed Corncob Waste by Organosolv Pretreatment for Biogas Production

by Belkis Sulbarán-Rangel, Jaime Santiago Alarcón Aguirre, Luz Breton-Deval, Jorge del Real-Olvera and Kelly Joel Gurubel Tun

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(8), 2785; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10082785 - 17 Apr 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2688

Abstract

This paper describes an organosolv pretreatment of corncob waste to improve its anaerobic digestion for biogas production. Through a thermochemical process based on the use of ethanol and acetic acid, it was possible to separate the fractions of lignin, considered to be a natural inhibitor of anaerobic digestion processes. In addition, with this organosolv pretreatment, the available sugars in the carbohydrates present as monosaccharides, or simple sugars, were depolymerised, facilitating the digestion process. The obtained results include the chemical characterisation of the corncob, the hydrolysate, and the mixture with cow manure, finding that these substrates have potential to be used in anaerobic digestion. The total reducing sugars consumed were 96.8%, and total sugars were 85.75%. It was clearly observed that with the use of pretreatment with organosolv, the production of biogas was superior, because 484 NmL/gVS was obtained compared to the other reported treatments. It was also observed that adding the hydrolysate organosolv increased the production because the values of the control without hydrolysate were 120 NmL/gVS in the bottle experiment. When the experiment was scaled to the 5L reactor, the total volumes of biogas that were accumulated in 15 days of production were 5050 NmL/gVS and 1212 NmL/gVS with and without hydrolysate, respectively. This indicates that the organosolv pretreatment of corncob waste is effective in improving biogas production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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17 pages, 3761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Particulate Disintegration on Biomethane Potential of Particle-Rich Substrates in Batch Anaerobic Reactor

by Fasil Ayelegn Tassew, Wenche Hennie Bergland, Carlos Dinamarca and Rune Bakke

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(14), 2880; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9142880 - 18 Jul 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3104

Abstract

An investigation of particle disintegration was carried out using batch anaerobic reactors and a particle-rich substrate from pig manure supernatant. Two types of samples were applied, one high in suspended particles (raw feed) and another low in suspended particle content (centrifuged feed). Both feeds were digested with and without cellulase enzyme addition to obtain a better understanding of particle degradation mechanisms. An automatic methane potential test system (AMPTS) was used to carry out batch reactions at 35 °C. The raw feed with high-suspended solids had higher biomethane potential than the centrifuged feed but the conversion rate and methane yield was lower. The addition of cellulase increased biomethane production rates in both high- and low-particle content samples enhancing yield by 54% and 40%, respectively and converting 69% and 87% of feed chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively. This implies that the feed particles have high contents of cellulose. This is also the case for the smaller particles remaining after centrifugation. Comparisons of anaerobic digestion model no. 1 (ADM1) simulations with experimental data reveal that classifying substrate particles into a fast and a slow degrading fraction with separate disintegration kinetics fit the experimental data better than lumping all particles into one parameter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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15 pages, 1764 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Enhancement of Methane Production in Thermophilic Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Exhausted Sugar Beet Pulp and Pig Manure

by Xiomara Gómez-Quiroga, Kaoutar Aboudi, Carlos José Álvarez-Gallego and Luis Isidoro Romero-García

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(9), 1791; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091791 - 29 Apr 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2930

Abstract

In this paper, the viability of thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion of exhausted sugar beet pulp (ESBP) and pig manure (PM) was evaluated. The effect of the proportion of ESBP on biogas production was investigated by using a series of lab-scale batch assays, in duplicates. The following five ESBP:PM mixture ratios were studied: 0:100, 10:90, 25:75, 50:50, and 100:0. The highest cumulative methane production (212.4 mL CH₄/g VS_added) was reached for the mixture 25:75. The experimental results showed that the increase in the proportion of ESBP in the mixture led to the distortion of the process, due to acidification by the volatile fatty acids generated. Acetic acid was the predominant acid in all the cases, representing more than 78% of the total acidity. Moreover, the results obtained by operating at thermophilic temperatures have been compared with those obtained in a previous study conducted at mesophilic temperatures. The results have shown that in the individual digestion of ESBP, the activity of acetoclastic methanogens was affected in both temperatures, but especially in thermophilic conditions. Thus, the methane produced in the individual thermophilic digestion of ESBP came almost entirely from the activity of hydrogen-utilizing methanogenic archaea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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Review

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28 pages, 1379 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on the Fate of Nutrients and Enhancement of Energy Recovery from Rice Straw through Anaerobic Digestion

by Furqan Muhayodin, Albrecht Fritze and Vera Susanne Rotter

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(6), 2047; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10062047 - 18 Mar 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3665

Abstract

Open field burning and tilling the rice straw (RS) back into the fields causes environmental threats by contributing to the increased greenhouse gas emissions. Energy and nutrient recovery from RS through anaerobic digestion (AD) is an effective solution for its utilization. Although RS has good methane potential, its characteristics make it a difficult substrate for AD. This paper reviews the characteristics of RS, mass balance, and distribution of nutrients into liquid and solid digestate in the AD. The present review also discusses the effect of temperature, co-digestion, mixing, inoculum, organic loading rate, recycling liquid digestate, the addition of trace elements, and their bioavailability on the enhancement of biogas/methane yield in the AD of RS. In addition, the digestion of RS at various scales is also covered in the review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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23 pages, 664 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Anaerobic Digestion of Lignocellulosic Wastes: Pretreatments and Operational Conditions

by Tahseen Sayara and Antoni Sánchez

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(21), 4655; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9214655 - 1 Nov 2019

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 5148

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has become extremely popular in the last years to treat and valorize organic wastes both at laboratory and industrial scales, for a wide range of highly produced organic wastes: municipal wastes, wastewater sludge, manure, agrowastes, food industry residuals, etc. Although the principles of AD are well known, it is very important to highlight that knowing the biochemical composition of waste is crucial in order to know its anaerobic biodegradability, which makes an AD process economically feasible. In this paper, we review the main principles of AD, moving to the specific features of lignocellulosic wastes, especially regarding the pretreatments that can enhance the biogas production of such wastes. The main point to consider is that lignocellulosic wastes are present in any organic wastes, and sometimes are the major fraction. Therefore, improving their AD could cause a boost in the development in this technology. The conclusions are that there is no unique strategy to improve the anaerobic biodegradability of lignocellulosic wastes, but pretreatments and codigestion both have an important role on this issue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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17 pages, 1035 KiB

Open AccessReview

Improvement of Anaerobic Digestion of Lignocellulosic Biomass by Hydrothermal Pretreatment

by Banafsha Ahmed, Kaoutar Aboudi, Vinay Kumar Tyagi, Carlos José Álvarez-Gallego, Luis Alberto Fernández-Güelfo, Luis Isidoro Romero-García and A. A. Kazmi

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(18), 3853; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9183853 - 13 Sep 2019

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 7480

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass, comprising of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, is a difficult-to-degrade substrate when subjected to anaerobic digestion. Hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass could enhance the process performance by increasing the generation of methane, hydrogen, and bioethanol. The recalcitrants (furfurals, and 5-HMF) could be formed at high temperatures during hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass, which may hinder the process performance. However, the detoxification process involving the use of genetically engineered microbes may be a promising option to reduce the toxic effects of inhibitors. The key challenge lies in the scaleup of the hydrothermal process, mainly due to necessity of upholding high temperature in sizeable reactors, which may demand high capital and operational costs. Thus, more efforts should be towards the techno-economic feasibility of hydrothermal pre-treatment at full scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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29 pages, 1656 KiB

Open AccessReview

Insight into Pretreatment Methods of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Increase Biogas Yield: Current State, Challenges, and Opportunities

by Javier Ulises Hernández-Beltrán, Inty Omar Hernández-De Lira, Mónica María Cruz-Santos, Alexia Saucedo-Luevanos, Fernando Hernández-Terán and Nagamani Balagurusamy

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(18), 3721; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9183721 - 6 Sep 2019

Cited by 156 | Viewed by 16535

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass is recalcitrant due to its heterogeneous structure, which is one of the major limitations for its use as a feedstock for methane production. Although different pretreatment methods are being used, intermediaries formed are known to show adverse effect on microorganisms involved in methane formation. This review, apart from highlighting the efficiency and limitations of the different pretreatment methods from engineering, chemical, and biochemical point of views, will discuss the strategies to increase the carbon recovery in the form of methane by way of amending pretreatments to lower inhibitory effects on microbial groups and by optimizing process conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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38 pages, 3450 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of the Role of Critical Parameters in the Design and Operation of Biogas Production Plants

by Shiplu Sarker, Jacob J. Lamb, Dag R. Hjelme and Kristian M. Lien

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(9), 1915; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091915 - 9 May 2019

Cited by 132 | Viewed by 14846

Abstract

Many operating parameters, individually or together, may influence the performance of anaerobic digestion towards biogas or digestate yield and quality maximization. The most preferred method of optimizing an anaerobic digestion plant often relies on how carefully the crucial parameters, such as pH, temperature, organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, and pressure, are chosen. There is a large amount of literature available on optimization of anaerobic digestion; however, given the continued development and implementation of innovative technologies, together with the introduction of increasingly complex systems, it is necessary to update present knowledge on process parameters and their role on operational ranges and flexibilities in real-life anaerobic digestion system. Accordingly, the present review discusses the importance of the selection of operational parameters in existing technologies and their impact on biogas yield. Notably, the four broad areas of feedstock utilization (substrate, inoculum, codigestion and pretreatment), process condition (pH, temperature, pressure, and reactor design), reactor control (HRT and OLR) and inhibition (Ammonia and VFAs) are covered in this review. In addition, particular emphasis is placed on the most recent innovations that have been or may be implemented in current or future biogas plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Waste)

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