An Exploration of Ionic Buswell’s Equation for Biomethane

Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable process that occurs under anaerobic microorganism-mediated conditions. In this process, organic matters generate biogas and digestate in the gas-aqueous solution-solid multiphases system. Molecular Buswell’s equation has been widely applied for neutral organic matter. In contrast, ionic Buswell’s equation has been given little attention. This article uses the proton method to develop a stoichiometric ionic Buswell’s equation for neutral and ionic organic matters. When an empirical formula of organic matter is given, its stoichiometric ionic Buswell’s equation can be balanced and deduced. Conversely, when a structural formula is given, it must go through either the fragmentation method to identify the designated products or the carbon-atom method to identify the organic fragmented formula. The designated products or the organic fragmented formula can then be input into the proton method to balance the ionic Buswell’s equation. Based on any given organic matter, regardless of its electrical charge and nature of formula, the mean oxidation number of organic carbons, parameters of organic matter, parameters of Buswell’s equation, and ionic Buswell’s equation can be determined. Compared to molecular Buswell’s equation, the established ionic Buswell’s equation is an extended model for understanding physical, chemical, and biochemical processes among water molecules, ionic species, and neutral species in the multiphases anaerobic digestion system.