Evaluating The Influence of Transition Metal Oxides on Anaerobic Digestion Performance

Palm oil, the world's most widely consumed edible oil, produces palm oil mill effluent (POME) as a byproduct, which poses significant environmental risks if untreated due to its high organic content and pollutants. Anaerobic digestion (AD) process converting organic waste into biogas which is a promising renewable and sustainable energy source especially for areas with abundant feedstock. Accelerators play a vital role in enhancing the performance of AD systems through various mechanisms. The high conductivity of TMOs facilitates efficient electron transfer, providing the fastest pathway for electron exchange between microorganisms. MnO₂ and Fe₂O₃ are abundantly available in Indonesia. This study compared MnO₂ and Fe₂O₃ to identify the most effective TMO for improving mesophilic batch AD performance in POME treatment. Results indicated that Fe₂O₃ was superior, increasing methane production volume by 21% and methane yield by 32% compared to AD without TMOs.