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Cioabla A, Duma VF, Mnerie C, Erdelyi RA, Dobre GM, Bradu A, Podoleanu A. Effect of an Anaerobic Fermentation Process on 3D-Printed PLA Materials of a Biogas-Generating Reactor. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8571. [PMID: 36500067 PMCID: PMC9735893 DOI: 10.3390/ma15238571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
3D-printed materials are present in numerous applications, from medicine to engineering. The aim of this study is to assess their suitability for an application of interest today, that of testing of 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA)-based reactors for biogas production using anaerobic digestion. The impact of temperature, pH, and aqueous phase on the tested bioreactor is investigated, together with the effect of the gaseous phase (i.e., produced biogas). Two batches of materials used separately, one after another inside the bioreactor were considered, in a realistic situation. Two essential parameters inside the reactor (i.e., pH and temperature) were continuously monitored during a time interval of 25 to 30 days for each of the two biogas-generating processes. To understand the impact of these processes on the walls of the bioreactor, samples of 3D-printed material were placed at three levels: at the top (i.e., outside the substrate), in the middle, and at the bottom of the bioreactor. The samples were analyzed using a non-destructive imaging method, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). An in-house developed swept-source (SS) OCT system, master-slave (MS) enhanced, operating at a central wavelength of 1310 nm was utilized. The 3D OCT images related to the degradation level of the material of the PLA samples were validated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The differences between the impact of the substrate on samples situated at the three considered levels inside the reactor were determined and analyzed using their OCT B-scans (optical cross-section images). Thus, the impact of the biogas-generating process on the interior of the bioreactor was demonstrated and quantified, as well as the capability of OCT to perform such assessments. Therefore, future work may target OCT for in situ investigations of such bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Cioabla
- Faculty of Mechanics, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, 1 Mihai Viteazu Ave., 300222 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Virgil-Florin Duma
- 3OM Optomechatronics Group, Faculty of Engineering, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Str. Elena Dragoi No. 2, 310177 Arad, Romania
- Doctoral School, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, 1 Mihai Viteazu Ave., 300222 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Mnerie
- 3OM Optomechatronics Group, Faculty of Engineering, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Str. Elena Dragoi No. 2, 310177 Arad, Romania
| | - Ralph-Alexandru Erdelyi
- 3OM Optomechatronics Group, Faculty of Engineering, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Str. Elena Dragoi No. 2, 310177 Arad, Romania
- Doctoral School, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, 1 Mihai Viteazu Ave., 300222 Timisoara, Romania
| | - George Mihai Dobre
- Applied Optics Group, School of Physics, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Adrian Bradu
- Applied Optics Group, School of Physics, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Adrian Podoleanu
- Applied Optics Group, School of Physics, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
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Janesch E, Pereira J, Neubauer P, Junne S. Phase Separation in Anaerobic Digestion: A Potential for Easier Process Combination? FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2021.711971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The flexibilization of bioenergy production has the potential to counteract partly other fluctuating renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar power). As a weather-independent energy source, anaerobic digestion (AD) can offer on-demand energy supply through biogas production. Separation of the stages in anaerobic digestion represents a promising strategy for the flexibilization of the fermentative part of biogas production. Segregation in two reactor systems facilitates monitoring and control of the provision of educts to the second methanogenic stage, thus controlling biogas production. Two-stage operation has proven to reach similar or even higher methane yields and biogas purities than single-stage operation in many different fields of application. It furthermore allows methanation of green hydrogen and an easier combination of material and energy use of many biogenic raw and residual biomass sources. A lot of research has been conducted in recent years regarding the process phase separation in multi-stage AD operation, which includes more than two stages. Reliable monitoring tools, coupled with effluent recirculation, bioaugmentation and simulation have the potential to overcome the current drawbacks of a sophisticated and unstable operation. This review aims to summarize recent developments, new perspectives for coupling processes for energy and material use and a system integration of AD for power-to-gas applications. Thereby, cell physiological and engineering aspects as well as the basic economic feasibility are discussed. As conclusion, monitoring and control concepts as well as suitable separation technologies and finally the data basis for techno-economic and ecologic assessments have to be improved.
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Wang G, Wang D, Huang L, Song Y, Chen Z, Du M. Enhanced production of volatile fatty acids by adding a kind of sulfate reducing bacteria under alkaline pH. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2020; 195:111249. [PMID: 32682275 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.111249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion could make sludge stable and harmless, and the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced from it. The objective of this study was to reduced sludge production and realize the resource utilization of VFAs through enhance anaerobic sludge fermentation by adding sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) under alkaline pH. Under the neutral and alkaline pH, SRB was added into the sludge fermentation liquid with sole stock solution and sterilization treatment respectively, while the liquid without any additives was used as control. The results indicated that obvious increase of the production of VFAs was observed after adding SRB under alkaline pH. And, more protein and polysaccharide were obtained which were the main substrates for the production of VFAs. The concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and phosphate (PO43--P) were also increased with the addition of SRB. So, a high yield production of VFAs could be achieved through the addition of SRB + alkaline pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, China.
| | - Dongdong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Likun Huang
- School of Food Engineering, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin 150076, China
| | - Yanmei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Maoan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, China
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Sembera C, Macintosh C, Astals S, Koch K. Benefits and drawbacks of food and dairy waste co-digestion at a high organic loading rate: A Moosburg WWTP case study. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 95:217-226. [PMID: 31351606 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) is a key technology in reframing organic waste as a viable energy source. A lack of documented experience on full-scale AcoD at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has created a bottleneck in AcoD implementation, which is further tightened by the focus of existing AcoD studies being on low co-substrate loading (<50%) and the obtainable benefits. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the drawbacks and benefits of high-ratio co-substrate dosing of food and dairy wastes at the Moosburg WWTP (Germany) from 2014 to 2017. The Moosburg WWTP co-digests sewage sludge, food waste, and dairy wastes at a 35:47:18 ratio by volatile solids (organic loading rate (OLR) of 3.0 kgVS/(m3·day)). During the study period, this high co-substrate dosing increased the methane potential by 300 ± 50%. The corresponding high methane yield significantly increased the on-site electricity production, resulting in energy neutrality in 2014-2015. The corresponding economic gain from gate fees was 48,000 ± 5,000 € per year. The observed drawbacks included solids accumulation inside the digester (5 m3/month), high nitrogen backload (65% increase from co-substrate addition), reduced retention time (loss of 1.18 days/year from solids accumulation), and reduced dewaterability. The high nitrogen content in the centrate is treated by sequential batch reactors (SBRs), using lactose as the carbon source for denitrification. This study presents an alternative approach for determining gate fees based on the economic gains from inherent methane content, which identified waste milk, lactose and grease trap sludge as the most profitable co-substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Sembera
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Catherine Macintosh
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
| | - Sergi Astals
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia; Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, C/Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Konrad Koch
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany.
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Valenti F, Porto SMC, Selvaggi R, Pecorino B. Evaluation of biomethane potential from by-products and agricultural residues co-digestion in southern Italy. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 223:834-840. [PMID: 29986331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The suitability of the co-digestion of feedstock-mixtures (by-products and agricultural residues) depends on their ability to produce biogas. In this study, the effects of mixing five feedstocks (citrus pulp, olive pomace, poultry manure, Italian sainfoin silage and opuntia fresh cladodes) on anaerobic digestion for biogas production have been investigated by carrying out biomethane potential (BMP) tests on six different mixing ratios of the selected five biomasses. The BMP test results demonstrated that all the six studied feedstock-mixtures could be potentially used for renewable energy generation by biogas plants. More in detail, two mixing ratios of the studied feedstock-mixtures showed the best biomethane potential of 249.9 and 260.1 Nm3CH4/tVS, respectively. Since this research study made it possible to screen the suitability and technical feasibility of the feedstock-mixtures analysed, the results provide the basis for subsequent pilot scale evaluation of anaerobic digestion in Mediterranean area, where by-products and agricultural residues are profuse and necessary to produce advanced biofuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Valenti
- Building and Land Engineering Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Simona M C Porto
- Building and Land Engineering Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Roberta Selvaggi
- Agricultural and Food Economics Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Biagio Pecorino
- Agricultural and Food Economics Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy.
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Valenti F, Zhong Y, Sun M, Porto SMC, Toscano A, Dale BE, Sibilla F, Liao W. Anaerobic co-digestion of multiple agricultural residues to enhance biogas production in southern Italy. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 78:151-157. [PMID: 32559898 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To valorize agricultural wastes and byproducts in southern Italy, anaerobic co-digestion of six feedstocks (citrus pulp, olive pomace, cattle manure, poultry litter, whey, and corn silage) was studied to produce biogas for renewable energy generation. Both batch and semi-continuous co-digestion approaches were adopted to carry out the investigation. The feedstocks were mixed at different percentages according to their availabilities in southern Italy. The batch anaerobic co-digestion demonstrated that six studied feedstock mixtures generated an average of 239 mL CH4/g VS loading without significant difference between each other, which concluded that the feedstock mixtures can be used for biogas production. Considering the feedstock availability of citrus pulp and olive pomace in Sicily, three feedstock mixtures with the highest volatile solids concentration of citrus pulp (42% citrus pulp, 17% corn silage, 4% cattle manure, 8% poultry litter, and 18% whey; 34% citrus pulp, 8% olive pomace, 17% corn silage, 4% cattle manure, 8% poultry litter, and 18% whey; and 25% citrus pulp, 16% olive pomace, 17% corn silage, 4% cattle manure, 8% poultry litter, and 18% whey, respectively) were selected to run the semi-continuous anaerobic digestion. Under the stabilized culture condition, the feed mixture with 42% citrus pulp, 17% corn silage, 4% cattle manure, 8% poultry litter, and 18% whey presented the best biogas production (231 L methane/kg VS loading/day). The corresponding mass and energy balance concluded that all three tested feedstock mixtures have positive net energy outputs (1.5, 0.9, and 1.2 kWh-e/kg dry feedstock mixture, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Valenti
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, Catania, Italy; Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yuan Zhong
- Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Mingxuan Sun
- Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Simona M C Porto
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, Catania, Italy
| | - Attilio Toscano
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bruce E Dale
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Wei Liao
- Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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Liu H, Han P, Liu H, Zhou G, Fu B, Zheng Z. Full-scale production of VFAs from sewage sludge by anaerobic alkaline fermentation to improve biological nutrients removal in domestic wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 260:105-114. [PMID: 29625281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.03.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A full-scale project of thermal-alkaline pretreatment and alkaline fermentation of sewage sludge was built to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) which was then used as external carbon source for improving biological nitrogen and phosphorus removals (BNPR) in wastewater plant. Results showed this project had efficient and stable performances in VFA production, sludge reduce and BNPR. Hydrolysis rate in pretreatment, VFAs yield in fermentation and total VS reduction reached 68.7%, 261.32 mg COD/g VSS and 54.19%, respectively. Moreover, fermentation liquid with VFA presented similar efficiency as acetic acid in enhancing BNPR, obtaining removal efficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus up to 72.39% and 89.65%, respectively. Finally, the project also presented greater economic advantage than traditional processes, and the net profits for VFAs and biogas productions are 9.12 and 3.71 USD/m3 sludge, respectively. Long-term operation indicated that anaerobic alkaline fermentation for VFAs production is technically and economically feasible for sludge carbon recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou 215011, PR China
| | - Peng Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, PR China
| | - Hongbo Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou 215011, PR China.
| | - Guangjie Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, PR China
| | - Bo Fu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou 215011, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, PR China
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Zhang Q, Hu J, Lee DJ, Chang Y, Lee YJ. Sludge treatment: Current research trends. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 243:1159-1172. [PMID: 28764130 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Sludge is produced during wastewater treatment as a residue containing most insoluble and adsorbed soluble impurities in wastewaters. This paper summarized the currently available review papers on sludge treatments and proposed the research trends based on the points raised therein. On partition aspect, sludge production rate and the reduction of production rate and the fate and transformation of involved emergent contaminants including endocrine disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals and personal care products are widely studied. On release aspect, development of thermal processes on sludge with migration and transformation of heavy metals in sludge during treatment is a research focus. The use of detailed fluid and biological reaction models and advanced instrumentation and control systems is studied to optimize treatment performances. On recovery part, co-digestion of sludge with co-substrates at mesophilic and hyperthermophilic conditions and the recovery of phosphorus at low costs are research highlights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanguo Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agriculture University, Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jianjun Hu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agriculture University, Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agriculture University, Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450002, China; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
| | - Yingju Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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