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Biochar applications in microbial fermentation processes for producing non-methane products: Current status and
Le Zhang1, To-Hung Tsui2, Yen Wah Tong3
1Biomass Energy Engineering Research Centre/Department of Resources and Environment, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Shanghai Yangtze River Delta Eco-Environmental Change and Management Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
Abstract:
The objective of this review is to encourage the technical development of biochar-assisted microbial fermentation. To this end, recent advances in biochar applications for microbial fermentation processes (i.e., non-methane products of hydrogen, acids, alcohols, and biofertilizer) have been critically reviewed, including process performance, enhanced mechanisms, and current research gaps. Key findings of enhanced mechanisms by biochar applications in biochemical conversion platforms are summarized, including supportive microbial habitats due to the immobilization effect, pH buffering due to alkalinity, nutrition supply due to being rich in nutrient elements, promoting electron transfer by acting as electron carriers, and detoxification of inhibitors due to high adsorption capacity. The current technical limitations and biochar's industrial applications in microbial fermentation processes are also discussed. Finally, suggestions like exploring functionalized biochar materials, biochar's automatic addition and pilot-scale demonstration are proposed. This review would further promote biochar applications in microbial fermentation processes for the production of non-methane products.
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