The Effect of Biochar and Potassium Supplementation on Methane Production using Mesophilic Anaerobic Digestion
Yusron Sugiarto*, Muhamad Hafizhur Rofiq, Ary Mustofa Ahmad, Inggit Kresna Maharsih

Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang
*email: yusronsugiarto[at]ub.ac.id

Abstract

Renewable energy in the form of biogas has emerged as a low-impact alternative to environmental damage. The research aims to assess the impact of biochar and potassium additives and determine the optimal dosage variations when added to the white bread waste substrate during two-phase anaerobic digestion for biogas production. The experimental design employs a factorial CRD (Completely Randomized Design) comprising 16 treatments with 3 repetitions. The methane gas potential is gauged using the BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) method with 100 mL glass vials and a working volume of 60 mL. All experimental setups use a white bread waste concentration of 16.67 g/L. The biochar concentrations employed range from 0 g/L, 5 g/L, 15 g/L, to 25 g/L, while the potassium concentrations vary from 0 g/L, 1 g/L, 2 g/L, to 3 g/L. The result shows that the addition of biochar and potassium increased methane yield. The addition of 5 g/L biochar increased biogas yield by 4.2% compared to control. The addition of 3 g/L potassium increased methane yield by 8.99% compared to the control. Moreover, the combination of 5 g/L biochar and 1 g/L potassium increased methane yield by 15.56% compared to the control.

Keywords: biochar- bread waste- potassium- two-phase anaerobic digestion

Topic: Renewable energy and biorefinery