Use of N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) pretreatment to enhance the bioconversion of lignocellulosic residues to methane

Abstract Lignocellulosic residues (LRs) are one of the most abundant wastes produced worldwide. Nevertheless, unlocking full energy potential from LRs for biofuel production is limited by their complex structure. This study investigated effect N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) pretreatment on almond shell (AS), spent coffee grounds (SCG), and hazelnut skin (HS) to improve bioconversion methane. The was performed using a 73% NMMO solution heated at 120 °C 1, 3, 5 h. baseline methane productions achieved raw AS, SCG, HS were 54.7 (± 5.3), 337.4 16.5), 265.4 10.4) mL CH 4 /g VS, respectively. enhanced AS up 58%, although no changes in chemical composition external surface observed after pretreatment. Opposite this, pretreated SCG showed increased porosity (up 63%) higher sugar percentage 27%) despite failing increase production. All conditions effective HS, achieving highest 400.4 9.5) VS h due 112%), lignin removal 29%), loss inhibitory compounds during An assessment revealed that an attractive technology be implemented industrial scale recovery residues.