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Kamravamanesh D, Kokko M. Source separation and anaerobic co-digestion of blackwater and food waste for biogas production and nutrient recovery. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 90:1082-1098. [PMID: 39141053 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.251] [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: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic co-digestion of source-separated blackwater (BW) and food and kitchen waste (FW) offers decentralized circular economy solutions by enabling local production of biogas and nutrient-rich byproducts. In this study, a 2 m3 pilot-scale continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) operated under mesophilic conditions was utilized for co-digestion of BW and FW. The process obtained a CH4 yield of 0.7 ± 0.2 m3/kg influent-volatile solid (VS), reaching a maximum yield of 1.1 ± 0.1 m3/kg influent-VS, with an average organic loading rate of 0.6 ± 0.1 kg-VS/m3/d and HRT of 25 days. The CH4 production rate averaged 0.4 ± 0.1 m3/m3/d, peaking at 0.6 ± 0.1 m3/m3/d. Treatment of digestate through flocculation followed by sedimentation recovered over 90% of ammonium nitrogen and potassium, and 80-85% of total phosphorus in the liquid fraction. This nutrient-rich liquid was used to cultivate Chlorella vulgaris, achieving a biomass concentration of 1.2 ± 0.1 g/L and 85 ± 3% and 78 ± 5% ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency, respectively. These findings not only highlight the feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion of source-separated BW and FW in local biogas production but also demonstrate the potential of microalgae cultivation as a sustainable approach to converting digestate into nutrient-rich algae biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donya Kamravamanesh
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland; Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland E-mail:
| | - Marika Kokko
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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2
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Carraro G, Tonderski K, Enrich-Prast A. Solid-liquid separation of digestate from biogas plants: A systematic review of the techniques' performance. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120585. [PMID: 38508011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120585] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Digestate processing is a strategy to improve the management of digestate from biogas plants. Solid-liquid separation is usually the primary step and can be followed by advanced treatments of the fractions. The knowledge about the performance of the separators and the quality of the fractions is scattered because of many available techniques and large variability in digestate characteristics. We performed a systematic review and found 175 observations of full-scale solid-liquid separation of digestate. We identified 4 separator groups, 4 digestate classes based on substrate, and distinguished whether chemical conditioners were used. We confirmed the hypothesis that the dominant substrate can affect the efficiency of the digestate separation. Furthermore, the results showed that centrifuges separated significantly more dry matter and total P than screw presses. Use of chemical conditioners in combination with a centrifuge lowered the dry matter concentration in the liquid fraction by 30%. Screw presses consumed 4.5 times less energy than centrifuges and delivered 3.3 tonne ammonium N in the liquid fraction and 0.3 tonne total P in the solid fraction using 1 MWh. The results can provide data for systems analyses of biogas solutions and can support practitioners when choosing among full-scale separator techniques depending on the digestate type. In a broader perspective, this work contributes to the continuous improvement of biogas plants operations and to their role as nutrients recovery sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Carraro
- Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University LiU, 58183, Linköping, Sweden; Biogas Solutions Research Center, Sweden.
| | - Karin Tonderski
- Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University LiU, 58183, Linköping, Sweden; Biogas Solutions Research Center, Sweden
| | - Alex Enrich-Prast
- Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University LiU, 58183, Linköping, Sweden; Biogas Solutions Research Center, Sweden; Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paolo, Santos, Brazil
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Cathcart A, Smyth BM, Lyons G, Murray ST, Rooney D, Johnston CR. Optimising mechanical separation of anaerobic digestate for total solids and nutrient removal. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118449. [PMID: 37390731 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118449] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical separation of anaerobic digestate has been identified as a method to reduce pollution risk to waterways by partitioning phosphorus in the solid fraction and reducing its application to land. Separators have adjustable parameters which affect separation efficiency, and hence the degree of phosphorous partitioning, but information on how these parameters affect separation performance is limited in the literature. Two well known technologies were investigated, decanter centrifuge and screw press, to determine the most efficient method of separation. Counterweight load and the use of an oscillator were adjusted for the screw press, while bowl speed, auger differential speed, feed rate and polymer addition were modified for the decanter centrifuge. Separation efficiency was determined for total solids, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and carbon, and the total solids content of resulting fractions was measured. The decanter centrifuge had higher separation efficiency for phosphorus in all cases, ranging from 51% to 71.5%, while the screw press had a phosphorus separation efficiency ranging from 8.5% to 10.9% for digestate of ∼5% solids (slurry/grass silage mix). Separation by decanter centrifuge partitioned up to 56% of nitrogen in the solid fraction leaving a reduced nitrogen content in the liquid fraction available for land spreading; this nitrogen would most likely need to be replaced by chemical fertiliser which would add to the cost of the system. The decanter centrifuge is better suited to cases where phosphorus recovery is the most important factor, while the screw press could be advantageous in cases where cost is a limiting factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Cathcart
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Ashby Building, Belfast, BT9 5AH, UK; Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6DR, UK.
| | - Beatrice M Smyth
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Ashby Building, Belfast, BT9 5AH, UK
| | - Gary Lyons
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6DR, UK
| | - Simon T Murray
- CASE (Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy), David Keir Building, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK
| | - David Rooney
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK
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Li R, Fan X, Jiang Y, Wang R, Guo R, Zhang Y, Fu S. From anaerobic digestion to single cell protein synthesis: A promising route beyond biogas utilization. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120417. [PMID: 37517149 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of a large amount of organic solid waste and the lack of sufficient protein supply worldwide are two major challenges caused by rapid population growth. Anaerobic digestion is the main force of organic waste treatment, and the high-value utilization of its products (biogas and digestate) has been widely concerned. These products can be used as nutrients and energy sources for microorganisms such as microalgae, yeast, methane-oxidizing bacteria(MOB), and hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria(HOB) to produce single cell protein(SCP), which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development goals. This new model of energy conversion can construct a bioeconomic cycle from waste to nutritional products, which treats waste without additional carbon emissions and can harvest high-value biomass. Techno-economic analysis shows that the SCP from biogas and digestate has higher profit than biogas electricity generation, and its production cost is lower than the SCP using special raw materials as the substrate. In this review, the case of SCP-rich microorganisms using anaerobic digestion products for growth was investigated. Some of the challenges faced by the process and the latest developments were analyzed, and their potential economic and environmental value was verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production and Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, PR China
| | - XiaoLei Fan
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production and Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, PR China
| | - YuFeng Jiang
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production and Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, PR China
| | - RuoNan Wang
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production and Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, PR China
| | - RongBo Guo
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production and Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, PR China.
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - ShanFei Fu
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production and Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, PR China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, PR China.
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Czekała W, Nowak M, Piechota G. Sustainable management and recycling of anaerobic digestate solid fraction by composting: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 375:128813. [PMID: 36870545 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128813] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to review and discuss the management and recycling of anaerobic digestate solid fraction by composting process in the context of circular bioeconomy and sustainable development. The conversion of the solid fraction into compost can be recognized as novel process-enhancing supplements for land reclamation. Moreover, the solid fraction of the digestate is a valuable substrate for compost production, both as a monosubstrate and as a valuable additive for other raw materials to enrich in organic matter. These results should serve as reference point to target adjusting screws for anaerobic digestate solid fraction by composting process improvement, its implementation in modern bioeconomy perspective as well as provide a guideline for effective waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Czekała
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
| | - Mateusz Nowak
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Piechota
- GPCHEM. Laboratory of Biogas Research and Analysis, ul. Legionów 40a/3, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.
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Chozhavendhan S, Karthigadevi G, Bharathiraja B, Praveen Kumar R, Abo LD, Venkatesa Prabhu S, Balachandar R, Jayakumar M. Current and prognostic overview on the strategic exploitation of anaerobic digestion and digestate: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114526. [PMID: 36252837 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114526] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The depletion of fossil fuels and increasing demand for energy are encountered by generating renewable biogas. Anaerobic digestion (AD) produces not only biogas, also other value-added products from the digestate using various organic, municipal and industrial wastes which have several benefits like remediating waste, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy generation and securing socio-economic status of bio-based industries. This review work critically analyzes the biorefinery approaches on AD process for the production of biogas and digestate, and their direct and indirect utilization. The left-out residue obtained from AD is called 'digestate' which enriched with organic matter, nitrogen, heavy metals and other valuable micronutrients. However, the direct disposal of digestate to the land as fertilizer/landfills creates various environmental issues. Keeping this view, the digestate should be upgraded or transformed into high valued products such as biofertilizer, pyrochar, biodiesel, syngas and soil conditioner that can aid to enrich the soil nutrients and ensures the safe environment as well. In this context, the present review focused to illustrate the current techniques and different strategic exploitations on AD proper management of digestate products for storage and further applications. Such a technology transfer provides a proven strategic mechanism towards the enhancement of the sustainability of bio-based industries, attaining the energy demand, safest waste management, protection of environment and reduces the socio-economic issues of the industrial sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chozhavendhan
- Department of Biotechnology, Vivekanandha College of Engineering for Women, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - G Karthigadevi
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur, India
| | - B Bharathiraja
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Vel Tech High Tech Dr. Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Lata Deso Abo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Haramaya Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - S Venkatesa Prabhu
- Center of Excellence for Bioprocess and Biotechnology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Ethiopia
| | - Ramalingam Balachandar
- Department of Biotechnology, Prathyusha Engineering College, Tiruvallur, 602 025, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mani Jayakumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Haramaya Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
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Sfetsas T, Patsatzis S, Chioti A, Kopteropoulos A, Dimitropoulou G, Tsioni V, Kotsopoulos T. A review of advances in valorization and post-treatment of anaerobic digestion liquid fraction effluent. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2022; 40:1093-1109. [PMID: 35057678 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x211073000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, digestate is considered a waste, which is used as fertiliser in the agriculture industry. Recent studies focus on increasing the profitability of digestate by extracting reusable nutrients to promote biogas plants cost-effectiveness, sustainable management and circular economy. This review focuses on the post-treatment and valorization of liquor which is produced by solid-liquid fractioning of digestate. Nutrient recovery and removal from liquor are possible through mechanical, physicochemical and biological procedures. The processes discussed involve complex procedures that differ in economic value, feasibility, legislative restrictions and performance. The parameters that should be considered to employ these techniques are influenced by liquor characteristics, topography, climate conditions and available resources. These are key parameters to keep in mind during designing and manufacturing a biogas plant. In the following chapters, a discussion on available liquor treatment methods takes place. The present study examines the critical aspects of the available liquor treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Themistoklis Sfetsas
- Research & Development, Quality Control and Testing Services, QLAB Private Company, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stefanos Patsatzis
- Research & Development, Quality Control and Testing Services, QLAB Private Company, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Afroditi Chioti
- Research & Development, Quality Control and Testing Services, QLAB Private Company, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Kopteropoulos
- Research & Development, Quality Control and Testing Services, QLAB Private Company, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia Dimitropoulou
- Research & Development, Quality Control and Testing Services, QLAB Private Company, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Tsioni
- Research & Development, Quality Control and Testing Services, QLAB Private Company, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomas Kotsopoulos
- Faculty of Agriculture, Aristoteleio University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Challenges in Treatment of Digestate Liquid Fraction from Biogas Plant. Performance of Nitrogen Removal and Microbial Activity in Activated Sludge Process. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14217321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Even thoughdigestate, which is continually generated in anaerobic digestion process, can only be used as fertilizer during the growing season, digestate treatment is still a critical, environmental problem. That is why the present work aims to develop a method to manage digestate in agricultural biogas plant in periods when its use as fertilizer is not possible. A lab-scale system for the biological treatment of the digestate liquid fraction using the activated sludge method with a separate denitrification chamber was constructed and tested. The nitrogen load that was added tothe digestate liquid fraction accounted for 78.53% of the total nitrogen load fed into the reactor. External carbon sources, such as acetic acid, as well as flume water and molasses, i.e., wastewater and by-products from a sugar factory, were used to support the denitrification process. The best results were obtained using an acetic acid and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)/NO3–N (Nitrate Nitrogen) ratio of 7.5. The removal efficiency of TN (Total Nitrogen), NH4–N (Ammonia Nitrogen) and COD was 83.73%, 99.94%, 86.26%, respectively. It was interesting to see results obtained that were similar to those obtained when using flume water and COD/NO3–N at a ratio of 8.7. This indicates that flume water can be used as an alternative carbon source to intensify biological nitrogen removal from digestate.
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