Codigestion of sludge and citrus peel wastes: Evaluating the effect of biochar addition on microbial communities

摘要

In this study, the effects on process performance and changes in microbial populations with the addition of biochar to the anaerobic digestion of sludge and orange peels were evaluated. Biochar had a positive influence in batch digestions, leading to a decrease in the lag phase and an increase in methane yields; this was even more evident for citrus peel wastes, which reached an increase of approximately 33% when 10g L-1 of biochar was added and 56% when 30 g L-1 was added. Particle size analysis performed for the experiments shows greater surface area available in biochar systems for biomass immobilization.