A novel concept of dosing iron ions using Fe3 O4 engineered nanoparticles is used to improve biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes. Since small nanoparticles are unstable, they can be designed to provide ions in a controlled manner, and the highest ever reported improvement of biogas production is obtained. The nanoparticles evolution during operation is followed by an array of spectroscopic techniques. The ability of methanogenic bacteria to adapt to high concentrations of iron was investigated using a 9l Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor fed semi-continuously with a synthetic waste containing glucose as the organic carbon source. It found that an iron concentration of up to 5 650 mg/l, which is well in excess of reported toxicity levels, had no inhibitory effects on anaerobic digestion, with the exception of a decrease in biogas production. The iron precipitated out and accumulated in the sludge bed of the digester, resulting in very low concentrations of iron in the digester effluent.

Have a look to the attached report.

Dear Prem Sir,

Firstly, thank you so much for your elaboration. But I am confused that at one time you are reporting high concentration and in the range of toxicity. But in the effluent it is less. Then where was it utilized? Used as food for microbes?

Thank you,

Asim

Thank you Dr Ali for referring the literature.