Influence of zero valent iron nanoparticles and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on biogas and methane production from anaerobic digestion of manure

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 120; pp. 842 - 853
• Main Authors: Abdelsalam, E., Samer, M., Attia, Y.A., Abdel-Hadi, M.A., Hassan, H.E., Badr, Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Additives; Anaerobic digestion; Anaerobic processes; Animal wastes; Biogas; Chemical additives; Digesters; Iron; Iron oxides; Manure management; Methane; Methane production; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Salts; Slurries; Slurry treatment; Statistical analysis; Trace metals; Nanoparticles; Chemical additives; Trace metals; Manure management; Slurry treatment; Biogas; Methane production; Nanotechnology; Anaerobic digestion
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.11.137
• ISSN: 0360-5442

In this study, nanoparticles (NPs) were hypothesized to enhance the anaerobic process and to accelerate the slurry digestion, which increases the biogas and methane production. The effects of NPs on biogas and methane production were investigated using a specially designed batch anaerobic system. For this purpose, a series of 2 L biodigesters were manufactured and implemented to study the effects of the nanoparticles of Iron (Fe) and Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) with different concentrations on biogas and methane production. The best results of NPs additives were selected based on the statistical analysis (Least Significant Difference using M-Stat) of biogas and methane production, which were 20 mg/L Fe NPs and 20 mg/L Fe3O4 magnetic NPs (p < 0.05). The aforementioned NPs additives delivered the highest biogas and methane yields in comparison with their other concentrations (5, 10 and 20 mg/L), their salt (FeCl3) and the control. Furthermore, the addition of 20 mg/L Fe NPs and 20 mg/L Fe3O4 magnetic NPs significantly increased the biogas volume (p < 0.05) by 1.45 and 1.66 times the biogas volume produced by the control, respectively. Moreover, the aforementioned additives significantly increased the methane volume (p < 0.05) by 1.59 and 1.96 times the methane volume produced by the control, respectively. The highest specific biogas and methane production were attained with 20 mg/L Fe3O4 magnetic NPs, and were 584 ml Biogas g−1 VS and 351.8 ml CH4 g−1 VS, respectively compared with the control which yielded only 352.6 ml Biogas g−1 VS and 179.6 ml CH4 g−1 VS. •The addition of trace metals in form of nanoparticles reduced the lag phase.•Nanoparticles reduced time to achieve the highest biogas and methane production.•Biogas and methane production were proportional to nanoparticles concentration.•Nanoparticles biostimulate the methanogenic bacteria and increase their activity.