Hydrothermal treatment (HT) was applied on common reed to advance AD.
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HT at 120–140 °C increased the moisture content by 43.8% and the VS by 37.88%.
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Biomethane potential increased by 28.8% under low temperature HT.
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VS% and temperature of HT were the most influential factors for biogas production.
Abstract
Lignocellulosic grasses, like common reed, are relatively durable to conventional pretreatment methods that can improve their biogas yield via anaerobic digestion. Common reed was treated in a hydrothermal reactor from temperatures of 120 to 200 °C and for residence times of 30–120 min. The treated products were assessed for their moisture content, pH, volatile solids content (VS %) and biomethane potential (BMP). On the one hand, hydrothermal treatment (HT) under low temperatures, i.e., 120–140 °C, increase the moisture content up to 43.8%, the VS % by 37.88% and the BMP by 28.8%. On the other hand, HT under high temperatures had a negative effect on the BMP. Multi-regression analysis showed that the VS % % and the temperature of treatment were the independent variables that account for the highest percentage of the biogas yield's variance.
