Enhancing biogas yield of Xyris capensis grass using different nanoparticles additive

Abstract

To enhance the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process of lignocellulose feedstocks, there is a need for appropriate pretreatment methods. The influence of nanoparticles additive on biogas yield of new novel Xyris capensis grass as biogas feedstock was investigated. A laboratory-batch experiment was set up at mesophilic conditions (37 ± 2° C) to study the biogas production potential of Xyris capensis, and different nanoparticles were added as a means of pretreatment. 20 mg/L of Fe3O4, 1.4 mg/L of CuO, 10 mg/L of ZnO, and 10 mg/L of MgO were added to the anaerobic digestion process, and their influence on biogas and methane yield was compared with the untreated substrate. Biogas yield of 376.67, 156.86, 175.34, 190.00, and 290.00 mL/g VSadded was recorded for Fe3O4, CuO, ZnO, MgO additives, and untreated substrate, respectively, while methane yield of 282.50, 156.86, 97.66, 116.33, and 198.51 mLCH4/g VSadded were observed, respectively. It can be observed that only 20 mg/L of Fe3O4 increased biogas and methane yields by 29.89 and 42.31%, respectively.