RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 Enhancement of biogas production rate from bioplastics by alkaline pretreatment A1 García Depraect, Octavio A1 Lebrero Fernández, Raquel A1 Martínez Mendoza, Leonardo José A1 Rodriguez Vega, Sara A1 Börner, Rosa Aragão A1 Börner, Tim A1 Muñoz Torre, Raúl K1 Renewable and Green Energy K1 Renewable energy resources K1 Biotechnology K1 Organic Recycling K1 Waste Management K1 Alkali pretreatment K1 Biodegradable bioplastics K1 Reciclaje Orgánico K1 Gestión de residuos K1 Pretratamiento alcalino K1 Bioplásticos biodegradables K1 3308 Ingeniería y Tecnología del Medio Ambiente K1 3303 Ingeniería y Tecnología Químicas AB The effect of alkali-based pretreatment on the methanization of bioplastics was investigated. The tested bioplastics included PHB [poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)], PHBH [poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)], PHBV [poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate], PLA (polylactic acid), and a PLA/PCL [poly(caprolactone)] 80/20 blend. Prior to methanization tests, the powdered polymers (500–1000 μm) at a concentration of 50 g/L were subjected to alkaline pretreatment using NaOH 1 M for PLA and PLA/PCL, and NaOH 2 M for PHB-based materials. Following 7 days of pretreatment, the amount of solubilized carbon for PLA and its blend accounted for 92–98% of the total initial carbon, while lower carbon recoveries were recorded for most PHB-based materials (80–93%), as revealed by dissolved total organic carbon analysis. The pretreated bioplastics were then tested for biogas production by means of mesophilic biochemical methane potential tests. Compared to unpretreated PHBs, methanization rates of pretreated PHBs were accelerated by a factor of 2.7 to 9.1 with comparable (430 NmL CH4/g material feed) or slightly lower (15% in the case of PHBH) methane yields, despite featuring a 1.4–2.3 times longer lag phases. Both materials, PLA and the PLA/PCL blend, were only extensively digested when pretreated, yielding about 360–380 NmL CH4 per gram of material fed. Unpretreated PLA-based materials showed nearly zero methanization under the timeframe and experimental conditions tested. Overall, the results suggested that alkaline pretreatment can help to enhance the methanization kinetics of bioplastics. PB Elsevier SN 0956-053X YR 2023 FD 2023 LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/59097 UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/59097 LA eng NO Waste Management, 2023, vol. 164, p. 154-161 NO Producción Científica DS UVaDOC RD 28-nov-2024