New trends in physicochemical characterization of solid lignocellulosic waste in anaerobic digestion

Abstract

In this paper, the use of techniques such as TGA, FTIR-ATR and XRD has provided valuable information about the lignocellulosic wastes in anaerobic digestion (AD) processes. A deep study of their break-down in solid state could improve the management of these recalcitrant substrates.

Representative wastes (artichoke –ART-, asparagus –ASP-, the co-digestion of both –AcoD- and pure cellulose –CELL-) were assessed in batch. The main obtained results were related to biochemical parameters. As the biomethanization progressed, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin were weakened as shown by TGA, and cellulose crystallinity decreased as demonstrated by XRD. Additionally, results from FTIR-ATR allowed hypothesizing that the formation of acetate in solid state did not always lead to its solubilisation, thus hindering biogas formation. AcoD and CELL were the most successful in releasing the newly formed acetate from the solid fraction to the aqueous medium, increasing its bioavailability, which was supported by the higher biogas production.