Article
Thermodynamics
Qian Jiang, Ping Wu, Xuedong Zhang, Yan Zhang, Minhua Cui, Hongbo Liu, He Liu
Summary: In this study, the effects of two modified biochars on anaerobic digestion were investigated. The results showed that H2O2-oxidized biochar increased methane yield and production rate, while HNO3-oxidized biochar inhibited methanogenesis. H2O2-oxidized biochar promoted acetoclastic methanogenesis and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis through improved electron transfer activity.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jin-Rong Huang, Jie Bu, Jing-Rong Cheng, Ming-Jun Zhu
Summary: Magnetic biochar is an economical additive that enhances methane production in anaerobic digestion by improving cell biomass and promoting the utilization of organic substances.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yeqing Li, Zhenxin Wang, Zhuoliang Jiang, Lu Feng, Junting Pan, Mingyu Zhu, Chengjie Ma, Zhangmu Jing, Hao Jiang, Hongjun Zhou, Hui Sun, Hongbin Liu
Summary: This study found that biochar and hydrochar can increase methane production, but there was no significant difference in methane yield between biochar and hydrochar produced at different temperatures. The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and surface properties characterization revealed that bio-based carbon materials enriched microorganisms involved in direct interspecies electron transfer, providing a stable environment for DIET.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Irfan Saif, Nandini Thakur, Peng Zhang, Lihong Zhang, Xiaohong Xing, Jianwei Yue, Zhongzhong Song, Lan Nan, Su Yujun, Muhammad Usman, El-Sayed Salama, Xiangkai Li
Summary: This review highlights the positive effects of biochar (BC) on anaerobic digestion (AD) systems, promoting microbial colonization, enhancing specific microbes, and improving biomethane production. BC has been shown to significantly reduce lag phase and increase biomethane production, while also promoting specific bacterial populations crucial for AD processes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yongsen Shi, Hanhan Xue, Yilin Yao, Chuanyong Jing, Rutao Liu, Qigui Niu, Hui Lu
Summary: This study aimed to simultaneously enhance organic bio-methanation and the removal of recalcitrant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in anaerobic digestion system. The results showed that adding biochar effectively alleviated accumulation of volatile fatty acids and increased methane production, while significantly promoting the biodegradation of PAHs. Biochar improved electron transfer and mass transfer among microbes, and met the physiological demanding of efficient microbial metabolism. The findings indicated the importance of mitigating acid inhibition and the potential of biochar in promoting PAHs anaerobic biodegradation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mingwei Wang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: A new magnetite-contained biochar was prepared using iron-rich Fenton sludge as raw material, with the transformation of amorphous iron oxides into magnetite at 400 degrees C of pyrolysis and preservation of redox quinone/hydroquinone moieties of biochar. This magnetic biochar exhibited high capacitance and excellent conductivity, leading to significantly enhanced methane production when supplemented into anaerobic digestion system, offering a new approach to recycle hazardous Fenton sludge.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Mathu Indren, Cristian H. Birzer, Stephen P. Kidd, Tony Hall, Paul R. Medwell
Summary: The study demonstrates that high dosages of pristine biochar can improve the performance of high-solids anaerobic digesters, while low dosages and re-used biochar may not have significant effects.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chen Deng, Richen Lin, Xihui Kang, Benteng Wu, David M. Wall, Jerry D. Murphy
Summary: This study investigated the effects of biochar properties on enhancing interspecies electron transfer in anaerobic digestion (AD). Results showed that biochar produced at 700 degrees C significantly increased biomethane yield, while biochars produced at 500 and 900 degrees C did not show the same effect. The addition of biochar at 700 degrees C enriched the methanogen Methanosarcina, suggesting a shift towards direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) pathway. Moderate graphitization degree and abundant active surface functional groups were found to be correlated with enhanced interspecies electron transfer through carbon matrices and surface functional groups.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhen Lei, Yu Ma, Jun Wang, Xiaochang C. Wang, Qian Li, Rong Chen
Summary: Biochar enhancement in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treating sewage at low temperatures can significantly improve COD removal efficiency, methane production rate, mixed liquor properties, membrane operation duration, and alleviate membrane fouling.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuqi Chen, Yuzheng Wang, Hongyu Xie, Wenzhi Cao, Yanlong Zhang
Summary: Biochar promotes anaerobic digestion through various mechanisms, including enriching microbes, buffering pH, and promoting electron transfer. This study investigated the effects of different biochar dosages and food to microorganism (F/M) ratios on organic transformations, bioelectrochemical characteristics, and microbial consortia. Results showed that the electron transfer system (ETS) was proportional to biochar dosage, and biochar mainly accelerated methane production by promoting ETS at F/M ratios of 0.5 and 1.0. Under a higher F/M ratio of 2.0, biochar shortened the AD duration and facilitated syntrophic methanogenesis via direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). The study also found that biochar promoted both anabolism and catabolism of anaerobes, and enhanced DIET by converting hydrotrophic methanogenesis into acetolastic methanogenesis pathway. However, excessive biochar resulted in increased specific methanation activities (SMAs) and decreased methane yield due to superfluous biomass growth. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for the application of biochar in anaerobic digestion under different F/M ratios and dosages.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yannan Ruan, Yuze Jiang, Moting Li, Suyun Xu, Jining Zhang, Xuefeng Zhu, Hongbo Liu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of straw biochar prepared by three methods on methane production, substrate degradation, and microbial community structure in anaerobic digestion systems. The results showed that all biochar-supplemented groups had increased biogas yields, with the hydrochar group exhibiting the highest methane yield, which was 45.4% higher than the control. The addition of biochar also reduced the maximum partial pressure of hydrogen in the ethanol-fed reactor. Methane production was found to be directly proportional to the electron exchange capacity (EEC) value of biochar. The bio-aging process increased the EEC value of each kind of biochar and led to increased methane yield, possibly due to changes in surface functional groups or the enrichment of microbial communities.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhao-Kai Wang, Qing-Hua Liu, Zhi-Man Yang
Summary: A batch anaerobic fermentation system was used to investigate the effect of nano magnetite-loaded biochar on the methanogenic performance of the propionate-degrading consortia (PDC). The nano magnetite-loaded biochar showed improved properties, including a large specific surface area, high electrochemical response, and low electron transfer resistance. The addition of magnetite/biogas residue-originated biochar composites enhanced methane production rate by 1.6-fold compared to the control group, likely through promoting direct interspecies electron transfer between syntrophic bacteria and their partners.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tengyu Zhang, Jingxin Zhang, Pengshuai Zhang, Jiabin Wang, Yiliang He
Summary: This study demonstrates that under limited substrate conditions, Fe-driven electronic bifurcation (EB) in anaerobic digestion (AD) leads to a 40% increase in specific methane production and contributes to 25% ATP accumulation. Iron enhances electron transport in EB by accelerating the activity of flavin, Fe-S clusters, and quinone groups. The potential of EB to accumulate energy and enhance productivity in AD systems has been investigated, and a strategy of strengthening anaerobic digestion capacity of iron-driven multi-EB in a restricted environment is proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jianfeng Wang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: This study found that optimizing the pyrolytic temperature of biochar to form more redox-active organic functional groups can improve the anaerobic digestion performance of kitchen wastes.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xue Ning, Chen Deng, Xihui Kang, Richard O'Shea, David M. Wall, Richen Lin, Jerry D. Murphy
Summary: This research investigates the optimization of biomethane yield from grass silage and cattle slurry through biochar-supplemented two-stage anaerobic digestion. The results demonstrate that the addition of biochar can increase methane production and improve the electrochemical properties of the digester contents.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting-ting Zhu, Yao-bin Zhang, Yi-wen Liu, Zi-sheng Zhao
Summary: The study shows that microbial electricity coupled with Fe(III) reduction can enhance anaerobic ammonium removal, possibly through the enrichment of iron-reducing bacteria and the generation of nitrite from the Feammox process. The synergistic effect of BES and Feammox process may improve the reaction process and microorganisms, leading to a more efficient ammonium removal process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Li, Zhiqiang Zhao, Qilin Yu, Cheng Sun, Mingwei Wang, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: This study proposed a strategy of enhancing ethanol production from anaerobic fermentation of organic wastes by stimulating ATP synthase of ethanol-producing Fe(III)-reducing bacteria with magnetite. The presence of magnetite significantly increased ethanol yield and influenced microbial communities.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mingwei Wang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: A new magnetite-contained biochar was prepared using iron-rich Fenton sludge as raw material, with the transformation of amorphous iron oxides into magnetite at 400 degrees C of pyrolysis and preservation of redox quinone/hydroquinone moieties of biochar. This magnetic biochar exhibited high capacitance and excellent conductivity, leading to significantly enhanced methane production when supplemented into anaerobic digestion system, offering a new approach to recycle hazardous Fenton sludge.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weichao Xu, Fei Long, He Zhao, Yaobin Zhang, Dawei Liang, Luguang Wang, Keaton Larson Lesnik, Hongbin Cao, Yuxiu Zhang, Hong Liu
Summary: The study evaluates three machine learning algorithms for predicting the performance of ZVI-based AD reactors and finds XGBoost to have the highest accuracy. Parameters like total solid of feedstock, sCOD, ZVI dosage, and particle size were identified as dominant factors affecting methane production. Deep learning outperformed XGBoost and random forest with the lowest root mean squared errors for predicting cumulative methane production.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yafei Yang, Cancan Xiao, Qing Yu, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The study confirmed the occurrence of a novel 'anammox' process in the absence of anammox bacteria, driven by NO-induced Fe(II) oxidation and NH-induced Fe(III) reduction (Feammox) in an anaerobic sludge system. The results showed that Fe(II) was anaerobically oxidized to Fe(III) with the addition of NO2-, leading to significant nitrogen removal. XRD and XPS analysis indicated the production of FeOOH from chemical Fe(II) oxidation with NO2-. Additionally, the isotope experiment confirmed the participation of induced Fe(II) oxidation in Feammox for nitrogen removal.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jianfeng Wang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: This study found that optimizing the pyrolytic temperature of biochar to form more redox-active organic functional groups can improve the anaerobic digestion performance of kitchen wastes.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qing Yu, Yafei Yang, Mingwei Wang, Yahui Zhu, Cheng Sun, Yaobin Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhao
Summary: This study found that magnetite can stimulate the secretion of EPS with higher electron accepting and donating capacity, enriching species capable of extracellular electron transfer, and likely improving anaerobic digestion through direct interspecies electron transfer.
Article
Thermodynamics
Zhiqiang Zhao, Yang Li, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The conversion of organic wastes to ethanol as a pretreatment strategy may enhance anaerobic digestion by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer. Further research is needed to clarify the advantages of this strategy.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yafei Yang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The Feammox process, which involves Fe(III) reduction coupled to anaerobic ammonium oxidation, plays a key role in the nitrogen cycle in natural environments. However, the application of Feammox in wastewater treatment is limited by the need for continuous Fe(III) supplementation. This study demonstrated that intermittent aeration with air could facilitate the Fe(II)/Fe(III) cycle in the Feammox system for continuous nitrogen removal, providing a potential in situ remediation method for treating high-content NH4+.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ting-ting Zhu, Zhong-xian Su, Wen-xia Lai, Yao-bin Zhang, Yi-wen Liu
Summary: This review discusses the fate of antibiotics and ARGs in wastewater treatment plants, highlighting the importance of biological treatment technologies and combined processes. It emphasizes that adsorption and biodegradation are the major removal pathways for antibiotics, and suggests further investigation into combined technologies for future application prospects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhen Jin, Zhiqiang Zhao, Lianfu Liang, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The addition of Fe3O4 into anaerobic reactors treating sulfate-containing wastewater with azo dye AO7 has been shown to enhance system performance, increase the production of degradation intermediates, and enrich iron-reducing bacteria capable of degrading azo dye.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yang Li, Chunlei Dong, Yuan Li, Wenqi Nie, Mingwei Wang, Cheng Sun, Lianfu Liang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The study found that magnetite promotes the anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds under low-concentration sulphate conditions, participating in the process of benzoate degradation coupled to sulphate reduction.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting-ting Zhu, Wen-xia Lai, Yao-Bin Zhang, Yi-wen Liu
Summary: The Feammox process plays a crucial role in the natural nitrogen cycle, but has been rarely investigated in the field of wastewater treatment. This study explored the potential of anaerobic ammonium removal coupled with organics to assess the Feammox process for conventional wastewater treatment. Results showed that the Fe2O3 group had the highest efficiency in ammonium removal, while organics significantly inhibited the Feammox process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Li, Ying Ma, Zisheng Zhao, Xin Wen, Guangkuo Xu, Lin Jiang, Lifen Liu, Yaobin Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhao
Summary: A strategy utilizing magnetite and endogenous electron donors for self-dechlorination of 4-CP was proposed and significantly improved the removal efficiency of 4-CP in biotic groups with magnetite. LC-MS and GC analysis revealed the possible metabolic pathway of 4-CP degradation with magnetite, while high-throughput sequencing showed an increase in beneficial bacterial species in magnetite-supplemented biotic groups.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yinping Xiang, Meiying Jia, Rui Xu, Jialu Xu, Lele He, Haihao Peng, Weimin Sun, Dongbo Wang, Weiping Xiong, Zhaohui Yang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the non-antibiotic pharmaceutical carbamazepine on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during anaerobic digestion. The results showed that carbamazepine induced the enrichment of ARGs and increased the abundance of bacteria carrying these genes. It also facilitated microbial aggregation and intercellular communication, leading to an increased frequency of ARGs transmission. Moreover, carbamazepine promoted the acquisition of ARGs by pathogens and elevated their overall abundance.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Weixin Zhao, Tianyi Hu, Hao Ma, Dan Li, Qingliang Zhao, Junqiu Jiang, Liangliang Wei
Summary: This review summarizes the effects and potential mechanisms of biochar on microbial behavior in AD systems. The addition of biochar has been found to promote microbial colonization, alleviate stress, provide nutrients, and enhance enzyme activity. Future research directions include targeted design of biochar, in-depth study of microbial mechanisms, and improved models.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Christina Karmann, Anna Magrova, Pavel Jenicek, Jan Bartacek, Vojtech Kouba
Summary: This review assesses nitrogen removal technologies in reject water treatment, highlighting the differences in environmental impacts and economic benefits. Partial nitritation-anammox shows potential for economic benefits and positive environmental outcomes when operated and controlled properly.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wei-Hao Huang, Ying-Ju Chang, Duu-Jong Lee
Summary: This study modified pinecone biochar with layered double hydroxide (LDH) to enhance its adsorption capacity for heavy metal and phosphate ions. The LDH-biochar showed significantly improved adsorption capacities for Pb2+ and phosphate, and a slight increase for Cu2+ and Co2+. The LDH layer enhanced the adsorption through various mechanisms.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chao Song, Fanfan Cai, Shuang Yang, Ligong Wang, Guangqing Liu, Chang Chen
Summary: This paper developed a machine learning model to predict the biochemical methane potential during anaerobic digestion. Model analysis identified lignin content, organic loading, and nitrogen content as key attributes for methane production prediction. For feedstocks with high cellulose content, early methane production is lower but can be improved by prolonging digestion time. Moreover, lignin content exceeding a certain value significantly inhibits methane production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sang Min Lee, Ju Young Lee, Ji-Sook Hahn, Seung-Ho Baek
Summary: This study successfully developed an efficient platform strain using Yarrowia lipolytica for the bioconversion of renewable resources into adipic acid, achieving a remarkable increase in production level.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sefkan Kendir, Matthias Franzreb
Summary: This study presents a novel approach using magnetic separation to efficiently harvest freshwater microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris. By combining pH-induced calcium phosphate precipitation with cheap natural magnetite microparticles, harvesting efficiencies up to 98% were achieved in the model medium.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ishaq Kariim, Ji-Yeon Park, Wajahat Waheed Kazmi, Hulda Swai, In-Gu Lee, Thomas Kivevele
Summary: The impact of reaction temperature, residence time, and ethanol: acetone on the energy compositions and yield enhancement of biocrudes was investigated. The results showed that under appropriate conditions, biocrudes with high energy and low oxygen content can be obtained, indicating a high potential for utilization.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiyue Zhang, Xiyao Li, Liang Zhang, Yongzhen Peng
Summary: Intermittent aeration is an innovative approach to enhance nitrogen removal in low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio municipal sewage, providing an efficient strategy for the continuous plug-flow AOA process.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xu Yang, Mahmoud Mazarji, Mengtong Li, Aohua Li, Ronghua Li, Zengqiang Zhang, Junting Pan
Summary: This study investigated the impact of magnetite on the nitrogen cycle of pig manure biostabilisation. The addition of magnetite increased N2O emissions and decreased NH3 emissions during composting. It also increased the total nitrogen content but should be considered for its significant increase in N2O emissions in engineering practice.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Ty Shitanaka, Haylee Fujioka, Muzammil Khan, Manpreet Kaur, Zhi-Yan Du, Samir Kumar Khanal
Summary: The market value of microalgae has exponentially increased in the past two decades, thanks to their applications in various industries. However, the supply of high-value microalgal bioproducts is limited due to several factors, and strategies are being explored to overcome these limitations and improve microalgae production, thus increasing the availability of algal-derived bioproducts in the market.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Martin Kerner, Thorsten Wolff, Torsten Brinkmann
Summary: The efficiency of using enriched CO2 from flue gas for large-scale production of green microalgae has been studied. The results show that the use of membrane devices and static mixers can effectively improve the CO2 recovery rate and maintain the suitable pH and temperature during cultivation, achieving a more economical and sustainable microalgae production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rui Ma, Ji Li, Rd Tyagi, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the microorganisms capable of using CO2 and CH4 to produce PHAs, illustrating the production process, factors influencing it, and discussing optimization techniques. It identifies the challenges and future prospects for developing economically viable PHAs production using GHGs as a carbon source.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bing Wang, Peng Zhang, Xu Guo, Xu Bao, Junjie Tian, Guomin Li, Jian Zhang
Summary: The addition of zeolite in the co-composting of chicken manure and straw significantly reduced the emissions of ammonia and N2O, and increased the nitrate content. Zeolite also promoted the abundance of nitrification genes and inhibited the expression of denitrification genes.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rohit Dey, Franziska Ortiz Tena, Song Wang, Josef Martin Messmann, Christian Steinweg, Claudia Thomsen, Clemens Posten, Stefan Leu, Matthias S. Ullrich, Laurenz Thomsen
Summary: This study investigated the operation of a 1000L microalgae-based membrane photobioreactor system for continuous secondary wastewater treatment. The research focused on a green microalgae strain called Desmodesmus sp. The study aimed to understand key trends and optimization strategies by conducting experiments in both summer and winter seasons. The findings showed that maintaining low cell concentrations during periods of light inhibition was beneficial for nutrient uptake rates. Effective strategies for enhancing algae-based wastewater treatment included cell mass recycling and adjusting dilution rates based on light availability.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)