1
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Xu L, Xu J, Chen W, Xie L. Pressure-centric regulation for efficient anaerobic digestion: State-of-the-art, challenges and prospects. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 413:131421. [PMID: 39233186 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an environmentally friendly technology that simultaneously stabilizes biowaste and produces biogas. Conventional AD faces challenges such as inadequate substrate degradation and low methane purity. Pressure-centric regulation serves as an AD optimization strategy that can enhance the digestion efficiency and generate higher-energy-value biogas. However, limited reviews have been undertaken to focus on this technology. This review is designed to discuss innovations in ex-situ high-pressure pretreatment and in-situ high-pressure anaerobic digestion (HPAD) processes. Moreover, comprehensive understandings on the intrinsic mechanisms of HPAD are critically examined, including physicochemical reaction principles and microbial responses. The constraints currently curtailing these technologies and potential mitigation strategies are also scrutinized. Additionally, current knowledge gaps and future research directions on mechanisms, model fitting, and engineering practices are presented. Overall, this work highlights the feasibility of pressure-centric regulated AD and provides novel insights to overcome existing technical barriers in its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Jun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
| | - Weizhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Li Xie
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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2
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Thapa A, Park JH, Shin SG, Jo HM, Kim MS, Park Y, Han U, Cho SK. Elucidation of microbial interactions, dynamics, and keystone microbes in high pressure anaerobic digestion. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159718. [PMID: 36302429 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
High-pressure anaerobic digestion (HPAD) is a promising technology for producing biogas enriched with high methane content in a single-step process. To enhance HPAD performance, a comprehensive understanding of microbial community dynamics and their interactions is essential. For this, mesophilic batch high-pressurized anaerobic reactors were operated under 3 bars (H3) and 6 bars (H6). The experimental results showed that the effect of high-pressure (up to 6 bar) on acidification was negligible while methanogenesis was significantly delayed. Microbial analysis showed the predominance of Defluviitoga affiliated with the phylum Thermotogae and the reduction of Thiopseudomonas under high-pressure conditions. In addition, the microbial cluster pattern in H3 and H6 was significantly different compared to the CR, indicating a clear shift in microbial community structure. Moreover, Methanobacterium, Methanomicrobiaceae, Alkaliphilus, and Petrimonas were strongly correlated in network analysis, and they could be identified as keystone microbes in the HPAD reactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Thapa
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hoon Park
- Sustainable Technology and Wellness R&D Group, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Jeju-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Gu Shin
- Department of Energy System Engineering, Gyeongang National University, Gyeongnam 52725, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Mok Jo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Sang Kim
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeongmi Park
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Uijeong Han
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Kyung Cho
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Zhao J, Li Y, Zhang Z. Hydraulic retention time and pressure affect anaerobic digestion process treating synthetic glucose wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 370:128531. [PMID: 36574891 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
High-pressure anaerobic digestion (HPAD) can directly upgrade biogas (CH4 content to 90 %) within a reactor. Understanding of how HPAD-related microbiomes are constructed by operational parameters (hydraulic retention time (HRT) and pressure) and their interactions within the biochemical process remain underexplored. In this study, an HPAD reactor was operated at five different HRT (from 40 to 13 d), with pressure around 10-13 bar. In HPAD, pressure was the driving force behind CH4 content. Low HRTs (13-20 d) for HPAD led to volatile fatty acids accumulation, which occurred earlier than that in normal-pressure digestion. HRT mainly affected the archaeal community, whereas pressure mostly affected the bacterial community. Hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanobacterium prevailed at low HRTs (13-20 d). When operating continuous HPAD, attention should be paid to HRT optimization, as low HRTs (e.g., 13 d) impaired the activity of CH4-synthesizing enzyme Methyl-coenzyme M reductase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands; Center for Water and Ecology, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yu Li
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands; College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Westerholm M, Calusinska M, Dolfing J. Syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria in methanogenic systems. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:fuab057. [PMID: 34875063 PMCID: PMC8892533 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The mutual nutritional cooperation underpinning syntrophic propionate degradation provides a scant amount of energy for the microorganisms involved, so propionate degradation often acts as a bottleneck in methanogenic systems. Understanding the ecology, physiology and metabolic capacities of syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria (SPOB) is of interest in both engineered and natural ecosystems, as it offers prospects to guide further development of technologies for biogas production and biomass-derived chemicals, and is important in forecasting contributions by biogenic methane emissions to climate change. SPOB are distributed across different phyla. They can exhibit broad metabolic capabilities in addition to syntrophy (e.g. fermentative, sulfidogenic and acetogenic metabolism) and demonstrate variations in interplay with cooperating partners, indicating nuances in their syntrophic lifestyle. In this review, we discuss distinctions in gene repertoire and organization for the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway, hydrogenases and formate dehydrogenases, and emerging facets of (formate/hydrogen/direct) electron transfer mechanisms. We also use information from cultivations, thermodynamic calculations and omic analyses as the basis for identifying environmental conditions governing propionate oxidation in various ecosystems. Overall, this review improves basic and applied understanding of SPOB and highlights knowledge gaps, hopefully encouraging future research and engineering on propionate metabolism in biotechnological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Westerholm
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, BioCentre, Almas allé 5, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Calusinska
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, rue du Brill 41, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Jan Dolfing
- Faculty of Energy and Environment, Northumbria University, Wynne Jones 2.11, Ellison Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8QH, UK
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5
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De Crescenzo C, Marzocchella A, Karatza D, Molino A, Ceron-Chafla P, Lindeboom REF, van Lier JB, Chianese S, Musmarra D. Modelling of autogenerative high-pressure anaerobic digestion in a batch reactor for the production of pressurised biogas. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:20. [PMID: 35418101 PMCID: PMC8857836 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02117-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Pressurised anaerobic digestion allows the production of biogas with a high content of methane and, at the same time, avoid the energy costs for the biogas upgrading and injection into the distribution grid. The technology carries potential, but the research faces practical constraints by a.o. the capital investment needed in high-pressure reactors and sensors and associated sampling limitations. In this work, the kinetic model of an autogenerative high-pressure anaerobic digestion of acetate, as the representative compound of the aceticlastic methanogenesis route, in batch configuration, is proposed to predict the dynamic performance of pressurised digesters and support future experimental work. The modelling of autogenerative high-pressure anaerobic digestion in batch configuration, which is not extensively studied and simulated in the present literature, was developed, calibrated, and validated by using experimental results available from the literature. Results Under high-pressure conditions, the assessment of the Monod maximum specific uptake rate, the half-saturation constant and the first-order decay rate was carried out, and the values of 5.9 kg COD kg COD−1 d−1, 0.05 kg COD m−3 and 0.02 d−1 were determined, respectively. By using the predicted values, excellent fittings of the final pressure, the CH4 molar fraction and the specific methanogenic yield calculation were obtained. Likewise, the variation in the gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient by several orders of magnitude showed negligible effects on the model predictive values in terms of methane molar fraction of the produced biogas, while the final pressure seemed to be slightly influenced. Conclusions The proposed model allowed to estimate the Monod maximum specific uptake rate for acetate, the half-saturation rate for acetate and the first-order decay rate constant, which were comparable with literature values reported for well-studied methanogens under anaerobic digestion at atmospheric pressure. The methane molar fraction and the final pressure predicted by the model showed different responses towards the variation of the gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient since the former seemed not to be affected by the variation of the gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient; in contrast, the final pressure seemed to be slightly influenced. The proposed approach may also allow to potentially identify the methanogens species able to be predominant at high pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen De Crescenzo
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031, Aversa, Italy
| | - Antonia Marzocchella
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031, Aversa, Italy
| | - Despina Karatza
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031, Aversa, Italy
| | - Antonio Molino
- Department of Sustainability, ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, CR Portici Piazzale Enrico Fermi, 1, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Pamela Ceron-Chafla
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Ralph E F Lindeboom
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Jules B van Lier
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Simeone Chianese
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031, Aversa, Italy.
| | - Dino Musmarra
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031, Aversa, Italy
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6
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Zhao J, Li Y, Dong R. Recent progress towards in-situ biogas upgrading technologies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 800:149667. [PMID: 34426339 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Yu Li
- College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Qinghuadonglu No.17, 100083 Beijing, China.
| | - Renjie Dong
- College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Qinghuadonglu No.17, 100083 Beijing, China.
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7
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Ceron-Chafla P, Chang YT, Rabaey K, van Lier JB, Lindeboom REF. Directional Selection of Microbial Community Reduces Propionate Accumulation in Glycerol and Glucose Anaerobic Bioconversion Under Elevated pCO 2. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:675763. [PMID: 34220760 PMCID: PMC8242345 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.675763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Volatile fatty acid accumulation is a sign of digester perturbation. Previous work showed the thermodynamic limitations of hydrogen and CO2 in syntrophic propionate oxidation under elevated partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2). Here we study the effect of directional selection under increasing substrate load as a strategy to restructure the microbial community and induce cross-protection mechanisms to improve glucose and glycerol conversion performance under elevated pCO2. After an adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) process, viable cell density increased and predominant microbial groups were modified: an increase in Methanosaeta and syntrophic propionate oxidizing bacteria (SPOB) associated with the Smithella genus was found with glycerol as the substrate. A modest increase in SPOB along with a shift in the predominance of Methanobacterium toward Methanosaeta was observed with glucose as the substrate. The evolved inoculum showed affected diversity within archaeal spp. under 5 bar initial pCO2; however, higher CH4 yield resulted from enhanced propionate conversion linked to the community shifts and biomass adaptation during the ALE process. Moreover, the evolved inoculum attained increased cell viability with glucose and a marginal decrease with glycerol as the substrate. Results showed differences in terms of carbon flux distribution using the evolved inoculum under elevated pCO2: glucose conversion resulted in a higher cell density and viability, whereas glycerol conversion led to higher propionate production whose enabled conversion reflected in increased CH4 yield. Our results highlight that limited propionate conversion at elevated pCO2 resulted from decreased cell viability and low abundance of syntrophic partners. This limitation can be mitigated by promoting alternative and more resilient SPOB and building up biomass adaptation to environmental conditions via directional selection of microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Ceron-Chafla
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Yu-Ting Chang
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Korneel Rabaey
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jules B van Lier
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Ralph E F Lindeboom
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
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8
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Zhao J, Li Y, Marandola C, Krooneman J, Euverink GJW. Comparison of the microbial communities in anaerobic digesters treating high alkalinity synthetic wastewater at atmospheric and high-pressure (11 bar). BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 318:124101. [PMID: 32947140 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
High-pressure anaerobic digestion is an appealing concept since it can upgrade biogas directly within the reactor. However, the decline of pH caused by the dissolution of CO2 is the main barrier that prevents a good operating high-pressure anaerobic digestion process. Therefore, in this study, a high-pressure anaerobic digestion was studied to treat high alkalinity synthetic wastewater, which could not be treated in a normal-pressure anaerobic digester. In the high-pressure reactor, the pH value was 7.5 ~ 7.8, and the CH4 content reached 88% at 11 bar. Unlike its normal-pressure counterpart (2285 mg/L acetic acid), the high-pressure reactor ran steadily (without volatile fatty acids inhibition). Furthermore, the microbial community changed in the high-pressure reactor. Specifically, key microbial guilds (Syntrophus (11.2%), Methanosaeta concilii (50.9%), and Methanobrevibacter (26.8%)) were dominant in the high-pressure reactor at 11 bar, indicating their fundamental roles under high-pressure treating high alkalinity synthetic wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yu Li
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Clara Marandola
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Krooneman
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands; Carbohydrate Competence Center, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Jan Willem Euverink
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands; Carbohydrate Competence Center, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
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9
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Ceron-Chafla P, Kleerebezem R, Rabaey K, van Lier JB, Lindeboom REF. Direct and Indirect Effects of Increased CO 2 Partial Pressure on the Bioenergetics of Syntrophic Propionate and Butyrate Conversion. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:12583-12592. [PMID: 32845128 PMCID: PMC7547868 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous digestion and in situ biogas upgrading in high-pressure bioreactors will result in elevated CO2 partial pressure (pCO2). With the concomitant increase in dissolved CO2, microbial conversion processes may be affected beyond the impact of increased acidity. Elevated pCO2 was reported to affect the kinetics and thermodynamics of biochemical conversions because CO2 is an intermediate and end-product of the digestion process and modifies the carbonate equilibrium. Our results showed that increasing pCO2 from 0.3 to 8 bar in lab-scale batch reactors decreased the maximum substrate utilization rate (rsmax) for both syntrophic propionate and butyrate oxidation. These kinetic limitations are linked to an increased overall Gibbs free energy change (ΔGOverall) and a potential biochemical energy redistribution among syntrophic partners, which showed interdependence with hydrogen partial pressure (pH2). The bioenergetics analysis identified a moderate, direct impact of elevated pCO2 on propionate oxidation and a pH-mediated effect on butyrate oxidation. These constraints, combined with physiological limitations on growth exerted by increased acidity and inhibition due to higher concentrations of undissociated volatile fatty acids, help to explain the observed phenomena. Overall, this investigation sheds light on the role of elevated pCO2 in delicate biochemical syntrophic conversions by connecting kinetic, bioenergetic, and physiological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Ceron-Chafla
- Sanitary
Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628
CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Kleerebezem
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, Netherlands
| | - Korneel Rabaey
- Center
for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure
Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Center
for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jules B. van Lier
- Sanitary
Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628
CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ralph E. F. Lindeboom
- Sanitary
Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628
CN Delft, The Netherlands
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10
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Cabrera-Rodríguez CI, Moreno-González M, de Weerd FA, Viswanathan V, van der Wielen LAM, Straathof AJJ. Esters production via carboxylates from anaerobic paper mill wastewater treatment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 237:186-192. [PMID: 28222952 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes a new option for integrated recovery and esterification of carboxylates produced by anaerobic digestion at a pH above the pKa. The carboxylates (acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate and lactate) are recovered using a strong anion exchange resin in the bicarbonate form, and the resin is regenerated using a CO2-expanded alcohol technique, which allows for low chemicals consumption and direct esterification. Paper mill wastewater was used to study the effect of pH and the presence of other inorganic anions and cations on the adsorption and desorption with CO2-expanded methanol. Calcium, which is present in paper mill wastewater, can cause precipitation problems, especially at high pH. Esters yields ranged from 1.08±0.04mol methyl acetate/mol of acetatein to 0.57±0.02mol methyl valerate/mol of valeratein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos I Cabrera-Rodríguez
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mónica Moreno-González
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Florence A de Weerd
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Vidhvath Viswanathan
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Luuk A M van der Wielen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Adrie J J Straathof
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
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11
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Li Y, Liu H, Yan F, Su D, Wang Y, Zhou H. High-calorific biogas production from anaerobic digestion of food waste using a two-phase pressurized biofilm (TPPB) system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 224:56-62. [PMID: 27815042 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.10.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
To obtain high calorific biogas via anaerobic digestion without additional upgrading equipment, a two-phase pressurized biofilm system was built up, including a conventional continuously stirred tank reactor and a pressurized biofilm anaerobic reactor (PBAR). Four different pressure levels (0.3, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.7MPa) were applied to the PBAR in sequence, with the organic loading rate maintained at 3.1g-COD/L/d. Biogas production, gas composition, process stability parameters were measured. Results showed that with the pressure increasing from 0.3MPa to 1.7MPa, the pH value decreased from 7.22±0.19 to 6.98±0.05, the COD removal decreased from 93.0±0.9% to 79.7±1.2% and the methane content increased from 80.5±1.5% to 90.8±0.8%. Biogas with higher calorific value of 36.2MJ/m3 was obtained at a pressure of 1.7MPa. Pressure showed a significant effect on biogas production and gas quality in methanogenesis reactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqing Li
- Institute of New Energy, State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, China University of Petroleum Beijing (CUPB), Beijing 102249, PR China.
| | - Hong Liu
- Institute of New Energy, State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, China University of Petroleum Beijing (CUPB), Beijing 102249, PR China
| | - Fang Yan
- Institute of New Energy, State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, China University of Petroleum Beijing (CUPB), Beijing 102249, PR China
| | - Dongfang Su
- Institute of New Energy, State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, China University of Petroleum Beijing (CUPB), Beijing 102249, PR China
| | - Yafei Wang
- Institute of New Energy, State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, China University of Petroleum Beijing (CUPB), Beijing 102249, PR China
| | - Hongjun Zhou
- Institute of New Energy, State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, China University of Petroleum Beijing (CUPB), Beijing 102249, PR China
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12
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Suarez-Zuluaga DA, Timmers PHA, Plugge CM, Stams AJM, Buisman CJN, Weijma J. Thiosulphate conversion in a methane and acetate fed membrane bioreactor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:2467-2478. [PMID: 26423279 PMCID: PMC4717173 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The use of methane and acetate as electron donors for biological reduction of thiosulphate in a 5-L laboratory membrane bioreactor was studied and compared to disproportionation of thiosulphate as competing biological reaction. The reactor was operated for 454 days in semi-batch mode; 30 % of its liquid phase was removed and periodically replenished (days 77, 119, 166, 258, 312 and 385). Although the reactor was operated under conditions favourable to promote thiosulphate reduction coupled to methane oxidation, thiosulphate disproportionation was the dominant microbial process. Pyrosequencing analysis showed that the most abundant microorganisms in the bioreactor were phototrophic green sulphur bacteria (GSB) belonging to the family Chlorobiaceae and thiosulphate-disproportionating bacteria belonging to the genus Desulfocapsa. Even though the reactor system was surrounded with opaque plastic capable of filtering most of the light, the GSB used it to oxidize the hydrogen sulphide produced from thiosulphate disproportionation to elemental sulphur. Interrupting methane and acetate supply did not have any effect on the microbial processes taking place. The ultimate goal of our research was to develop a process that could be applied for thiosulphate and sulphate removal and biogenic sulphide formation for metal precipitation. Even though the system achieved in this study did not accomplish the targeted conversion using methane as electron donor, it does perform microbial conversions which allow to directly obtain elemental sulphur from thiosulphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A Suarez-Zuluaga
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peer H A Timmers
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline M Plugge
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons J M Stams
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cees J N Buisman
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Weijma
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Lindeboom REF, Shin SG, Weijma J, van Lier JB, Plugge CM. Piezo-tolerant natural gas-producing microbes under accumulating pCO 2. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2016; 9:236. [PMID: 27826355 PMCID: PMC5097443 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-016-0634-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is known that a part of natural gas is produced by biogenic degradation of organic matter, but the microbial pathways resulting in the formation of pressurized gas fields remain unknown. Autogeneration of biogas pressure of up to 20 bar has been shown to improve the quality of biogas to the level of biogenic natural gas as the fraction of CO2 decreased. Still, the pCO2 is higher compared to atmospheric digestion and this may affect the process in several ways. In this work, we investigated the effect of elevated pCO2 of up to 0.5 MPa on Gibbs free energy, microbial community composition and substrate utilization kinetics in autogenerative high-pressure digestion. RESULTS In this study, biogas pressure (up to 2.0 MPa) was batch-wise autogenerated for 268 days at 303 K in an 8-L bioreactor, resulting in a population dominated by archaeal Methanosaeta concilii, Methanobacterium formicicum and Mtb. beijingense and bacterial Kosmotoga-like (31% of total bacterial species), Propioniferax-like (25%) and Treponema-like (12%) species. Related microorganisms have also been detected in gas, oil and abandoned coal-bed reservoirs, where elevated pressure prevails. After 107 days autogeneration of biogas pressure up to 0.50 MPa of pCO2, propionate accumulated whilst CH4 formation declined. Alongside the Propioniferax-like organism, a putative propionate producer, increased in relative abundance in the period of propionate accumulation. Complementary experiments showed that specific propionate conversion rates decreased linearly from 30.3 mg g-1 VSadded day-1 by more than 90% to 2.2 mg g-1 VSadded day-1 after elevating pCO2 from 0.10 to 0.50 MPa. Neither thermodynamic limitations, especially due to elevated pH2, nor pH inhibition could sufficiently explain this phenomenon. The reduced propionate conversion could therefore be attributed to reversible CO2-toxicity. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest a generic role of the detected bacterial and archaeal species in biogenic methane formation at elevated pressure. The propionate conversion rate and subsequent methane production rate were inhibited by up to 90% by the accumulating pCO2 up to 0.5 MPa in the pressure reactor, which opens opportunities for steering carboxylate production using reversible CO2-toxicity in mixed-culture microbial electrosynthesis and fermentation.Graphical abstractThe role of pCO2 in steering product formation in autogenerative high pressure digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph E. F. Lindeboom
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Section Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Seung Gu Shin
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Section Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673 South Korea
| | - Jan Weijma
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jules B. van Lier
- Section Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline M. Plugge
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Suarez-Zuluaga DA, Weijma J, Timmers PHA, Buisman CJN. High rates of anaerobic oxidation of methane, ethane and propane coupled to thiosulphate reduction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:3697-3704. [PMID: 25256585 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3606-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to sulphate reduction and the use of ethane and propane as electron donors by sulphate-reducing bacteria represent new opportunities for the treatment of streams contaminated with sulphur oxyanions. However, growth of microbial sulphate-reducing populations with methane, propane or butane is extremely slow, which hampers research and development of bioprocesses based on these conversions. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that the growth rate with possible alternative terminal electron acceptors such as thiosulphate and elemental sulphur may be higher, which would facilitate future research. Here, we investigate the use of these electron acceptors for oxidation of methane, ethane and propane, with marine sediment as inoculum. Mixed marine sediments originating from Aarhus Bay (Denmark) and Eckernförde Bay (Germany) were cultivated anaerobically at a pH between 7.2 and 7.8 and a temperature of 15 °C in the presence of methane, ethane and propane and various sulphur electron acceptors. The sulphide production rates in the conditions with methane, ethane and propane with sulphate were respectively 2.3, 2.2 and 1.8 μmol S L(-1) day(-1). For sulphur, no reduction was demonstrated. For thiosulphate, the sulphide production rates were up to 50 times higher compared to those of sulphate, with 86.2, 90.7 and 108.1 μmol S L(-1) day(-1) for methane, ethane and propane respectively. This sulphide production was partly due to disproportionation, 50 % for ethane but only 7 and 14 % for methane and propane respectively. The oxidation of the alkanes in the presence of thiosulphate was confirmed by carbon dioxide production. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of thiosulphate use as electron acceptor with ethane and propane as electron donors. Additionally, these results indicate that thiosulphate is a promising electron acceptor to increase start-up rates for sulphate-reducing bioprocesses coupled to short-chain alkane oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A Suarez-Zuluaga
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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