Experimental study on biogas fermentation of corn stover pretreated with compound microbial agent

This research investigates the potential of corn stover, an agricultural byproduct, as a biomass energy source to help solve energy challenges. We introduced a compound microbial agent (CMA) to treat corn stover, consisting of five strains adept at degrading lignocellulose. The pretreatment's effectiveness was gauged by tracking shifts in pH and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The corn stover's morphological and chemical changes were scrutinized using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). Throughout the biogas fermentation phase, Pretreated Corn Stover (PCS) outperformed Unpretreated Corn Stover (UCS) in terms of lignocellulose degradation, total solids (TS) elimination, and volatile solids (VS) elimination. The fermentation process induced fluctuations in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and gas composition for both PCS and UCS. Significantly, PCS generated 4236.78 mL more biogas and 3358.31 mL more CH4 compared to UCS. The study's CMA pretreatment strategy significantly enhanced the methane conversion rate and biogas yield, providing a sustainable approach to harnessing agricultural waste in the energy sector. The results highlight CMA's capacity to increase biogas and CH4 production, showcasing its promise in tackling energy needs through the efficient transformation of biomass.