Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stress
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key waste-to-energy technology that transforms organic waste into biogas, contributing to renewable energy generation and environmental protection. However, AD systems are vulnerable to the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which disrupt methanogenesis and re...
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Alpha Creation Enterprise
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Biofuel Research Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_222162_38f595f7793d503877371c83fc8cdda2.pdf |
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| author | Xiaowen Zhu Edgar Blanco Manni Bhatti Aiduan Borrion |
| author_facet | Xiaowen Zhu Edgar Blanco Manni Bhatti Aiduan Borrion |
| author_sort | Xiaowen Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key waste-to-energy technology that transforms organic waste into biogas, contributing to renewable energy generation and environmental protection. However, AD systems are vulnerable to the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which disrupt methanogenesis and reduce system stability. Using batch tests to determine methanation kinetics, followed by long-term semi-continuous operations with stepwise butyrate and propionate additions, this study assessed both short- and long-term impacts of nano magnetite (magnetic nanoparticles, MNPs; specifically Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles) supplementation. Results demonstrated that MNPs facilitated VFA degradation within the VFA-stressed systems by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing enzymatic activity. The supplementation of MNPs improved methane production under VFA-induced stress, increasing yields by up to 7.9% and 8.7% in butyrate- and propionate-stressed systems, respectively. Moreover, MNP additions shortened the lag phases of butyrate and propionate methanation by over 24% while stabilised microbial viability above 85% compared to 70.7% in untreated systems during long-term operations. Smaller MNPs (20 nm) improved solid reduction rates by 4.01–6.82% within the stressed systems, reducing slurry disposal costs. Economic and environmental analysis demonstrated potential electricity revenue increases of 8.78–12.79%, while environmental assessments showed reduced carbon emissions. These findings suggest that MNPs provide a scalable and effective solution for industrial AD plants, particularly those treating cellulose-rich waste and substrates leading to rapid VFA production (e.g., food waste). Importantly, this study bridges lab-scale experimentation with practical applications, using batch-derived thresholds to inform semi-continuous operations. Future research should focus on long-term environmental impacts and MNP recovery strategies to ensure sustainable deployment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eac41b585c3f42d88331f03cd123feef |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2292-8782 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Alpha Creation Enterprise |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biofuel Research Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-eac41b585c3f42d88331f03cd123feef2025-08-20T02:17:27ZengAlpha Creation EnterpriseBiofuel Research Journal2292-87822025-06-011222432245010.18331/BRJ2025.12.2.5222162Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stressXiaowen Zhu0Edgar Blanco1Manni Bhatti2Aiduan Borrion3Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, London, United KingdomAnaero Technology Limited, Cowley Road, Cambridge, UK.Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, UK.Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, UK.Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key waste-to-energy technology that transforms organic waste into biogas, contributing to renewable energy generation and environmental protection. However, AD systems are vulnerable to the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which disrupt methanogenesis and reduce system stability. Using batch tests to determine methanation kinetics, followed by long-term semi-continuous operations with stepwise butyrate and propionate additions, this study assessed both short- and long-term impacts of nano magnetite (magnetic nanoparticles, MNPs; specifically Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles) supplementation. Results demonstrated that MNPs facilitated VFA degradation within the VFA-stressed systems by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing enzymatic activity. The supplementation of MNPs improved methane production under VFA-induced stress, increasing yields by up to 7.9% and 8.7% in butyrate- and propionate-stressed systems, respectively. Moreover, MNP additions shortened the lag phases of butyrate and propionate methanation by over 24% while stabilised microbial viability above 85% compared to 70.7% in untreated systems during long-term operations. Smaller MNPs (20 nm) improved solid reduction rates by 4.01–6.82% within the stressed systems, reducing slurry disposal costs. Economic and environmental analysis demonstrated potential electricity revenue increases of 8.78–12.79%, while environmental assessments showed reduced carbon emissions. These findings suggest that MNPs provide a scalable and effective solution for industrial AD plants, particularly those treating cellulose-rich waste and substrates leading to rapid VFA production (e.g., food waste). Importantly, this study bridges lab-scale experimentation with practical applications, using batch-derived thresholds to inform semi-continuous operations. Future research should focus on long-term environmental impacts and MNP recovery strategies to ensure sustainable deployment.https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_222162_38f595f7793d503877371c83fc8cdda2.pdfvolatile fatty acid accumulationenergy recoverynano magnetiteanaerobic digestionmetabolismwaste-to-energy |
| spellingShingle | Xiaowen Zhu Edgar Blanco Manni Bhatti Aiduan Borrion Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stress Biofuel Research Journal volatile fatty acid accumulation energy recovery nano magnetite anaerobic digestion metabolism waste-to-energy |
| title | Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stress |
| title_full | Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stress |
| title_fullStr | Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stress |
| title_short | Promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under VFA-induced stress |
| title_sort | promoting methanogenesis and stability in anaerobic digestion with nano magnetite under vfa induced stress |
| topic | volatile fatty acid accumulation energy recovery nano magnetite anaerobic digestion metabolism waste-to-energy |
| url | https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_222162_38f595f7793d503877371c83fc8cdda2.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xiaowenzhu promotingmethanogenesisandstabilityinanaerobicdigestionwithnanomagnetiteundervfainducedstress AT edgarblanco promotingmethanogenesisandstabilityinanaerobicdigestionwithnanomagnetiteundervfainducedstress AT mannibhatti promotingmethanogenesisandstabilityinanaerobicdigestionwithnanomagnetiteundervfainducedstress AT aiduanborrion promotingmethanogenesisandstabilityinanaerobicdigestionwithnanomagnetiteundervfainducedstress |