Additives Improving the Efficiency of Biogas Production as an Alternative Energy Source—A Review

Agnieszka A. Pilarska (), Krzysztof Pilarski, Tomasz Kulupa, Adrianna Kubiak, Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka, Alicja Niewiadomska and Jacek Dach
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Agnieszka A. Pilarska: Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94A, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Krzysztof Pilarski: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Tomasz Kulupa: Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94A, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Adrianna Kubiak: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
Alicja Niewiadomska: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
Jacek Dach: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-26

Abstract: Additives for anaerobic digestion (AD) can play a significant role in optimizing the process by increasing biogas production, stabilizing the system, and improving digestate quality. The role of additives largely boils down to, among others, enhancing direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between microbial communities, resulting in improved syntrophic interactions, adsorption of toxic substances that may inhibit microbial activity, improving microbial activity, and increasing process stability and accelerating the decomposition of complex organic materials, thereby increasing the rate of hydrolysis. Through the aforementioned action, additives can significantly affect AD performance. The function of these materials varies, from enhancing microbial activity to maintaining optimal conditions and protecting the system from inhibitors. The choice of additives should be carefully tailored to the specific needs and conditions of the digester to maximize benefits and ensure sustainability. In light of these considerations, this paper characterizes the most commonly used additives and their combinations based on a comprehensive review of recent scientific publications, including a report on the results of conducted studies. The publication features chapters that describe carbon-based conductive materials, metal oxide nanomaterials, trace metal, and biological additives, including enzymes and microorganisms. It concludes with the chapters summarising reports on various additives and discussing their functional properties, as well as advantages and disadvantages. The presented review is a substantive and concise analysis of the latest knowledge on additives for the AD process. The application of additives in AD is characterized by great potential; hence, the subject matter is very current and future-oriented.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; additives; material systems; enhanced efficiency; DIET (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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