Influence of biochar supplementation on biogas production during mesophilic two-stage anaerobic digestion of konjac flour waste
Yusron Sugiarto, Yeni Ika Setyaningsih, Ayub Iza Kurniawati, Wahyunanto Agung N, Nimas M.S Sunyoto, Hendrix Yulis S.

Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran Malang
*yusronsugiarto[at]ub.ac.id

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of biochar supplementation in the two-stage anaerobic digestion process for konjac flour waste. Cultures containing biochar were placed into reactors with a working volume of 60 ml. During the first stage, the cultures were incubated at a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius and a pH of 5 to support hydrogen production. In the subsequent second stage, the cultures were set at 35 degrees Celsiusand a pH of 7 to promote methane production. The concentration of konjac flour waste used varied from 0 g to 500 g per L, while the ratio of biochar addition ranged from 0 to 25 g per L. Biogas production was measured daily using the volume displacement method, and the pH of the cultures was monitored before and after the experiment. The results demonstrated a positive impact of biochar on biogas production from konjac flour waste. In the first phase, the supplementation of biochar resulted in significant enhancements, increasing the maximum biogas production rates by 40.7 percent. The addition of biochar increased biogas yield in the first stage by two times. Similarly, in the second stage, biochar addition led to a 42.5 percent increase in the maximum biogas production rates and 2.5 times increase in biogas yield. These results confirm the beneficial effects of biochar on the biogas production from konjac flour waste using the two-phase anaerobic digestion method.

Keywords: Anaerobic digestion- Biochar- Biogas- Konjac flour waste

Topic: Waste and environmental management