Programmed iron oxide nanoparticles disintegration in anaerobic digesters boosts biogas production

Abstract

A novel concept of dosing iron ions using Fe3O4 engineered nanoparticles is used to improve biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes. Since small nanoparticles are unstable, they can be designed to provide ions in a controlled manner, and the highest ever reported improvement of biogas production is obtained. The nanoparticles evolution during operation is followed by an array of spectroscopic techniques.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; biogas production; iron oxide nanoparticles; nanoparticle dissolution; nanoparticle evolution.