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Improved biogas production via biochar-assisted thermophilic dry anaerobic co-digestion of tobacco stalk and sludge: long-term performance and microbial mechanism

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Xiaoxing
  • He, Jinting
  • Sun, Zhaoyong
  • Liu, Yi
  • Li, Feng
  • Jin, Lifeng
  • Tang, Yueqin

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of biochar addition on the performance of thermophilic dry anaerobic co-digestion of tobacco stalk and sludge operated in a semicontinuous mode. Compared to the control without biochar (R), biochar addition (RB) markedly enhanced volatile total solids (VTS) reduction (12.77 vs 35.44 %) and methane production by 2.06-folds (39.88 vs 122.02 mL/g VTS). Microbial analysis revealed that augmented RB benefited from biochar-mediated selective enrichment of functional microorganisms, including cellulolytic and fermentative bacteria (norank_o__MBA03, Lentimicrobium, Acetomicrobium, and Hydrogenispora) and methanogen (Methanosarcina and Methanoculleus). The spatial distributions analysis indicated that diverse species preferred to inhabit distinct layers. Methanosarcina concentrated in inner pores greatly contributed to methanogenesis by enriching methanation genes and facilitating direct interspecific electron transfer (DIET) with norank_c__Limnochordia. Additionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification result showed that thermophilic anaerobic digestion deactivated tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), reducing the effluents phytotoxicity. This suggests that biochar-assisted thermophilic dry co-digestion boosts methane production from tobacco stalk and sludge, providing a useful reference for waste treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Xiaoxing & He, Jinting & Sun, Zhaoyong & Liu, Yi & Li, Feng & Jin, Lifeng & Tang, Yueqin, 2026. "Improved biogas production via biochar-assisted thermophilic dry anaerobic co-digestion of tobacco stalk and sludge: long-term performance and microbial mechanism," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:260:y:2026:i:c:s0960148125028113
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.125147
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    References listed on IDEAS

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