Nanoparticle- enhanced Bioaugmentation
Company: Agricultural Research Council
Country: South Africa
This entry showcases doctoral research that advances psychrophilic anaerobic digestion as a practical, energy-efficient alternative to conventional heated biogas systems. The research addressed key limitations of low-temperature digestion, including long start-up periods, acid accumulation, and poor methane yields, which have historically restricted its application in rural and decentralised settings. Through an innovative combination of iron- and calcium-based trace-element nanoparticles and bioaugmentation with a psychrotolerant microbial inoculum, the research significantly enhanced digester stability and performance at low temperatures. Treated laboratory-scale co-digestion of cattle manure and food waste achieved up to about 133.5% increase in methane yield compared to untreated controls, demonstrating the transformative potential of the augmenting agents in optimising psychrophilic AD. The findings provide new insights into microbial adaptation and trace-element strategies under cold conditions and offer practical pathways to improve biogas production without reliance on external heat input. Disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, a thesis and training activities, this work contributes to global efforts to develop resilient, low-carbon, and cost-effective anaerobic digestion systems, with relevance to both international and UK biogas sectors.
