Potassium Hydroxyde Pre-Treatment Enhances Methane Yield from Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.)

The biogas production through the anaerobic digestion (AD) of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) biomass has received increasing attention. However, due to presence lignin, a low CH4 yield can be obtained. Aiming improve from biomass, effectiveness thermo-chemical pre-treatment based on KOH was evaluated in this paper. usefulness washing step before AD also assessed. led specific up 232 mL g−1 VS which 21% higher than that untreated biomass; maximum daily rate improved by 42%, duration reduced 10%, and concentration increased 23%. On contrary, did not process. Besides, away liquid fraction losses, reducing overall production. use KOH-based appears as good option for enhancing reed, presenting potential environmental agronomical benefits, like avoidance salty wastewater likely improvement digestate quality, its enriched K content.