International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET International Open Access, Monthly, Peer Reviewed, Reputed Journal ISSN (online): 2581-3048

Impact Factor (2025): 6.9

DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET

Iron-Based Nanoparticles for Enhanced Biogas Production: Comparative Performance Analysis and Optimization Strategies for Sustainable Anaerobic Digestion

Charitidis J. PanagiotisAssistant Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece

Vol 9 No 7 (2025): Volume 9, Issue 7, July 2025 | Pages: 24-38

International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology

OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 11-07-2025

doi Logo doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2025.907003

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Abstract

Iron-based nanoparticles have emerged as promising additives for enhancing biogas production and improving process stability in anaerobic digestion systems. This study evaluates three key iron nanoparticle types: zero-valent iron (NZVI), iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), and magnetite (Fe₃O₄), examining their performance across different particle sizes, concentrations, and waste treatment applications.

Results demonstrate that smaller particles (7-25 nm) consistently outperform larger variants due to their greater surface area. NZVI shows the highest reactivity, achieving methane production increases up to 120% at concentrations of 10-1000 mg/L, though it requires careful dosing to avoid negative effects. Fe₃O₄ provides the best balance of performance and sustainability, increasing biogas production by up to 154% at 100 mg/L while offering magnetic recovery capabilities for reuse. Fe₂O₃ delivers stable biogas improvements (up to 117%) with excellent methane quality (85.7%) and the lowest cost among the three options.

All iron nanoparticles effectively reduce hydrogen sulfide—a problematic gas that causes corrosion and odors—with NZVI achieving 70-90% removal. When combined with pretreatment methods, Fe₃O₄ can enhance methane production by 161-201%. Economic analysis shows potential annual savings of $272,400 and carbon dioxide emission reductions of 1,660 tons per year compared to conventional anaerobic digestion systems.These findings demonstrate significant potential for iron-based nanoparticles to advance waste-to-energy technology, with Fe₃O₄ offering the optimal combination of high performance, sustainability, and economic viability for commercial implementation.

Keywords

Anaerobic digestion, Iron nanoparticles, NZVI, Fe?O?, Fe?O?, Methane enhancement, Biogas production, H?S reduction


Citation of this Article

Charitidis J. Panagiotis. (2025). Iron-Based Nanoparticles for Enhanced Biogas Production: Comparative Performance Analysis and Optimization Strategies for Sustainable Anaerobic Digestion. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, 9(7), 24-38. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2025.907003

Licence Copyright (c) 2026 International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology creative common licence This work is licensed under Creative common Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 Internation Licence
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