Evaluating the effect of biochar addition on the anaerobic digestion of swine manure: application of Py-GC/MS

Gómez, Xiomar; Meredith, William; Fernández, Camino; Sánchez-García, Mario; Díez-Antolínez, Rebeca; Garzón-Santos, Jorge; Snape, Collin E.

doi:10.1007/s11356-018-2644-4

Research Article
Published: 29 June 2018

Evaluating the effect of biochar addition on the anaerobic digestion of swine manure: application of Py-GC/MS

Xiomar Gómez ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9595-8825¹,
William Meredith²,
Camino Fernández¹,
Mario Sánchez-García³,
Rebeca Díez-Antolínez¹,
Jorge Garzón-Santos³ &
Collin E. Snape²

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 25, pages 25600–25611 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

The anaerobic digestion process of swine manure was studied when char was used as supplement for improving performance. The use of pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was proposed for assessing the organic matter degradation. The assessment on biogas production was carried out using samples of swine manure (SM) supplemented with char in one case and pre-treated by microwave irradiation in the other. This experimental set-up allows for the comparison of the biological degradation observed under these two different configurations and therefore aids in understanding the effect of char particles on the process. Results showed similar performance for both systems, with an average improvement of 39% being obtained in methane production when compared to the single digestion of SM. The analysis of digestate samples by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Py-GC/MS showed improved degradation of proteins, with the Py-GC/MS technique also capable of identifying an increase in microbial-derived material when char was added, therefore highlighting the relevant role of carbon conductive particles on biological systems. Py-GC/MS along with the use of FTIR spectroscopy has proven to be useful tools when evaluating anaerobic digestion.

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Acknowledgments

This research was possible thanks to the financial support of Project CTQ2015-68925-R and UNLE15-EE-3070 funded by Ministry of Economía y Competitividad, Spanish Government.

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Affiliations

Chemical and Environmental Bioprocess Engineering Department, Natural Resources Institute (IRENA), University of León, Avda. de Portugal 41, 24071, León, Spain
Xiomar Gómez, Camino Fernández & Rebeca Díez-Antolínez
Faculty of Engineering, The Energy Technologies Building, University of Nottingham, Innovation Park, Jubilee Campus, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK
William Meredith & Collin E. Snape
Research Institute of Vine and Wine (IIVV), University of León, Avda. de Portugal 41, 24071, León, Spain
Mario Sánchez-García & Jorge Garzón-Santos

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Xiomar Gómez
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William Meredith
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Camino Fernández
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Mario Sánchez-García
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Rebeca Díez-Antolínez
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Jorge Garzón-Santos
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Collin E. Snape
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Correspondence to Xiomar Gómez.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Gómez, X., Meredith, W., Fernández, C. et al. Evaluating the effect of biochar addition on the anaerobic digestion of swine manure: application of Py-GC/MS. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 25600–25611 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2644-4

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Received: 01 February 2018
Accepted: 24 June 2018
Published: 29 June 2018
Issue Date: September 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2644-4

Keywords

Biochar
PY-GC/MS
FTIR
Microwave pretreatment
Anaerobic digestion