Enhanced performance and microbial communities of anaerobic digestion with biochar in pilot-scale continuous stirred-tank reactors: effects of substrate concentration and hydraulic retention time

AD was enhanced with low-cost corn straw biochar in 16 L CSTRs, and the highest biogas production rate was 1.41 L L −1 d −1 at a substrate concentration of 12%. Methanosarcina showed a better performance in relieving ammonia nitrogen inhibition.