Impacts of different biochar types on the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge

In this study, the effect of nine types of biochar generated from three different feedstocks on the anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge was investigated. The obtained results indicated that methane production could be significantly enhanced by all types of biochar used in the test. The maximum cumulative methane yield of 218.45 L per kg VS was obtained for the culture with corn straws pyrolyzed at 600 °C which also exhibited the largest specific surface area. Adding an appropriate amount of biochar was beneficial to improve the cumulative methane yield, while excessive addition could inhibit the AD process. Biochar could also enhance AD process stability by increasing buffering capacity, releasing volatile fatty acid accumulation and alleviating ammonia inhibition. Simultaneously, microbial community analysis revealed that biochar addition was able to improve the diversity of archaeal community and adjust the microbial communities. It was notable that biochar treatment facilitated the aceticlastic methanogens (Methanosarcina) compared to the hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Overall, biochar addition could be an ideal approach that is not only expected to successfully improve the performance of AD, but also lay a new path for future biomass energy utilization.