Enhanced methane production by granular activated carbon: A review

Leilei Xiao (1) , Jian Liu (2) , P Senthil Kumar (3) , Meng Zhou (4) , Jiafeng Yu (2) , Eric Lichtfouse (5, 6)

1 Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research
2 DZU - Dezhou University
3 SSN College of Engineering - Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering
4 Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology
5 Xjtu - Xi'an Jiaotong University
6 CEREGE - Centre européen de recherche et d'enseignement des géosciences de l'environnement

Biomethane production by anaerobic digestion is an efficient technology to treat organic waste and produce clean energy. A growing number of studies has attempted to use carbon-based materials to enhance methane production performance. Granular activated carbon (GAC) is commonly used due to its low price and high efficiency. Moreover, the high conductivity of GAC favors direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) coupled with CO2 reduction to accelerate electromethanogenesis. GAC has also other properties such as porosity, which may influence microbial methanogenesis. . Here we review the effects of GAC on anaerobic carbon mineralization, with focus on conductivity, adhesion, adsorption, pH buffering, and redox mediation. The findings are also applicable to natural ecosystems such as soils and sediments. We also discuss modification of GAC by nanomaterials to enhance anaerobic performance. We suggest practical GAC applications in anaerobic digestion and energy conservation.

Mots clés: Anaerobic digestion; Methane production; Granular activated carbon; Conductive materia; l Direct interspecies electron transfer; Wastewater; Microbiome

Domaines: Biotechnologies; Ingénierie de l'environnement; Matériaux

Leilei Xiao, Jian Liu, P Senthil Kumar, Meng Zhou, Jiafeng Yu, et al.. Enhanced methane production by granular activated carbon: A review. Fuel, 2022, 320, pp.123903. ⟨10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123903⟩. ⟨hal-03614098⟩