Activated carbon is known to enhance methane formation in anaerobic reactors via interspecies electron transfer between fermentative bacteria and methanogenic archaea. Biochar, a by-product of biomass pyrolysis process, could also perform similar functions due to its conductive properties and the presence of redox active moieties. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of activated carbons and biochars on anaerobic digestion. Biochars obtained from canola meal, switchgrass and Ashe juniper were tested for methane production from both glucose and aqueous phase of bio-oil generated via hydrothermal liquefaction of algae. The results suggested that absorbents enhanced methane production. Furthermore, biochars synthesized at intermediate temperatures significantly increased methane yield and reduced the lag time required for methane formation. In addition, the results suggested that the redox active moieties such as quinones and phenazines in biochars are responsible for electron transport, which ultimately enhanced methane production.

已知活性炭通过发酵细菌和产甲烷古菌之间的种间电子转移来增强厌氧反应器中甲烷的形成。生物炭是生物质热解过程的副产物，由于其导电特性和氧化还原活性部分的存在，它也可以执行类似的功能。因此，本研究旨在评估不同类型的活性炭和生物炭对厌氧消化的有效性。测试了从低芥酸菜粕，柳枝switch和杜鹃杜鹃中获得的生物炭的葡萄糖和藻类水热液化产生的生物油的水相中甲烷的产生。结果表明吸收剂增加了甲烷的产生。此外，在中间温度下合成的生物炭可显着提高甲烷产量，并减少甲烷形成所需的滞后时间。另外，结果表明氧化还原活性部分如生物炭中的醌和吩嗪负责电子传输，最终提高了甲烷的产生。