Investigation of the Performance and Kinetics of Anaerobic Digestion at 45°C
Author(s)
Nuruol Syuhadaa Mohd1,
Taqsim Husnain2,
Baoqiang Li2,
Baoqiang Li2,
Arifur Rahman2,
Rumana Riffat2*
Affiliation(s)
1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.
1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of anaerobic digestion (AD) within the intermediate zone, specifically at 45°C. Single-stage batch anaerobic digestion system was developed in the lab and performance was monitored for more than 2 years. The AD system was able to achieve high biogas production with about 62% - 67% methane content. The digester exhibited high acetate accumulation, but sufficient buffering capacity was observed as the pH, alkalinity and volatile fatty acids-to-alkalinity ratio were within recommended values. The system achieved 36.5% reduction of total solids (TS) and 47.8% reduction of volatile solids (VS), which exceeded the required VS destruction efficiency for Class A biosolids. The pathogen counts were less than 1000 MPN/g total solids in the effluent, which also satisfied Class A biosolids requirements. The accumulation of acetate was presumably due to the high temperature which contributed to high hydrolysis rate. Consequently, it produced large amount of toxic salts that combined with the acetate, making them not readily available to be consumed by methanogens. The slower degradation of acetate was observed by the kinetic parameters. Accumulation of acetate contributed to 52% to 71% reduction in acetate degradation process, but was not completely inhibitory. The methanogens existing in the system were mostly thermo-tolerant acetate-utilizing methanogens, and specifically from Methanosarcinaceae species.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of anaerobic digestion (AD) within the intermediate zone, specifically at 45°C. Single-stage batch anaerobic digestion system was developed in the lab and performance was monitored for more than 2 years. The AD system was able to achieve high biogas production with about 62% - 67% methane content. The digester exhibited high acetate accumulation, but sufficient buffering capacity was observed as the pH, alkalinity and volatile fatty acids-to-alkalinity ratio were within recommended values. The system achieved 36.5% reduction of total solids (TS) and 47.8% reduction of volatile solids (VS), which exceeded the required VS destruction efficiency for Class A biosolids. The pathogen counts were less than 1000 MPN/g total solids in the effluent, which also satisfied Class A biosolids requirements. The accumulation of acetate was presumably due to the high temperature which contributed to high hydrolysis rate. Consequently, it produced large amount of toxic salts that combined with the acetate, making them not readily available to be consumed by methanogens. The slower degradation of acetate was observed by the kinetic parameters. Accumulation of acetate contributed to 52% to 71% reduction in acetate degradation process, but was not completely inhibitory. The methanogens existing in the system were mostly thermo-tolerant acetate-utilizing methanogens, and specifically from Methanosarcinaceae species.
Cite this paper
Mohd, N. , Husnain, T. , Li, B. , Li, B. , Rahman, A. and Riffat, R. (2015) Investigation of the Performance and Kinetics of Anaerobic Digestion at 45°C. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 1099-1100. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.714090.
Mohd, N. , Husnain, T. , Li, B. , Li, B. , Rahman, A. and Riffat, R. (2015) Investigation of the Performance and Kinetics of Anaerobic Digestion at 45°C. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 1099-1100. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.714090.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.07.095 [10] Al-Maliky, S.J.B. (2010) Feasibility of Anaerobic Digestion of Flotation Skim and Its Potential as Renewable Energy Source. Journal of Sustainable Development, 3, 121-126. [11] Peces, M., Astals, S. and Mata-Alvarez, J. (2013) Response of a Sewage Sludge Mesophilic Anaerobic Digester to Short and Long-Term Thermophilic Temperature Fluctuations. Chemical Engineering Journal, 233, 109-116.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2013.07.088 [12] Rahman, M.A. and Elefsiniotis, P. (2015) The Effect of Upper Mesophilic Temperature and Feed-to-Seed Ratio on Batch Anaerobic Digestion Systems. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, 45, 1126-1133.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2010.486346 [13] Yu, J., Zheng, M., Tao, T., Zuo, J. and Wang, K. (2013) Waste Activated Sludge Treatment Based on Temperature Staged and Biologically Phased Anaerobic Digestion System. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 25, 2056-2064.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60266-6 [14] USEPA (1994) A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule. EPA/832/R-93/003, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wastewater Management, Washington DC. [15] Speece, R.E. (2008) Anaerobic Biotechnology and Odor/Corrosion Control for Municipalities and Industries. Archae Press, Nashville. [16] APHA (2012) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 22nd Edition, American Public Health Association, Washington DC. [17] USEPA (2006) EPA Method 1680: Fecal Coliforms in Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) by Multiple-Tube Fermentation Using Lauryl Tryptose Broth (LTB) and EC Medium. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wastewater Management, Washington DC. [18] Smith, H.S., McCarty, P.L. and Kitanidis, P.K. (1998) Spreadsheet Method for Evaluation of Biochemical Reaction Rate Coefficients and Their Uncertainties by Weighted Nonlinear Least-Squares Analysis of the Integrated Monod Equation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 64, 2044-2050. [19] Shuler, M.L. and Kargi, F. (2002) Bioprocess Engineering Basic Concepts. Prentice Hall International, Englewood Cliffs. [20] Gerardi, M.H. (2003) The Microbiology of Anaerobic Digesters. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2010.06.013 [31] McCarty, P.L. and McKinney, R.E. (1965) Salt Toxicity in Anaerobic Digestion. Journal of Water Pollution Control Federation, 33, 399-415.
[1] Ariunbaatar, J., Panico, A., Esposito, G., Pirozzi, F. and Lens, P.N.L. (2014) Pretreatment Methods to Enhance Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Solid Waste. Applied Energy, 123, 143-156.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.02.035 [2] Fang, H.H.P. and Chung, D.W.C. (1999) Anaerobic Treatment of Proteinaceous Wastewater under Mesophilic and Thermophilic Conditions. Water Science and Technology, 40, 77-84.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00366-2 [3] Song, Y.C., Kwon, S.J. and Woo, J.H. (2004) Mesophilic and Thermophilic Temperature Co-Phase Anaerobic Digestion Compared with Single-Stage Mesophilic and Thermophilic Digestion of Sewage Sludge. Water Research, 38, 1653-1662.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2003.12.019 [4] Zabranska, J., Stepova, J., Wachtl, R., Jenicek, P. and Dohanyos, M. (2000) The Activity of Anaerobic Biomass in Thermophilic and Mesophilic Digesters at Different Loading Rates. Water Science and Technology, 42, 49-56. [5] Ahring, B.K. (1995) Status of Science and Application of Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion. Water Science and Technology, 30, 241-249. [6] Kim, M., Ahn, Y. and Speece, R.E. (2002) Comparative Process Stability and Efficiency of Anaerobic Digestion; Mesophilic vs Thermophilic. Water Research, 36, 4369-4385.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(02)00147-1 [7] Maibaum, C. and Kuehn, V. (1999) Thermophilic and Mesophilic Operation of an Anaerobic Treatment of Chicken Slurry Together with Organic Residual Substances. Water Science Technology, 40, 231-236.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00389-3 [8] Golueke, C.G. (1958) Temperature Effects on Anaerobic Digestion of Raw Sewage Sludge. Sewage Industrial Wastes, 30, 1225-1232. [9] Gao, W.J., Leung, K.T., Qin, W.S. and Liao, B.Q. (2011) Effects of Temperature and Temperature Shock on the Performance and Microbial Community Structure of a Submerged Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor. Bioresource Technology, 102, 8733-8740.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.07.095 [10] Al-Maliky, S.J.B. (2010) Feasibility of Anaerobic Digestion of Flotation Skim and Its Potential as Renewable Energy Source. Journal of Sustainable Development, 3, 121-126. [11] Peces, M., Astals, S. and Mata-Alvarez, J. (2013) Response of a Sewage Sludge Mesophilic Anaerobic Digester to Short and Long-Term Thermophilic Temperature Fluctuations. Chemical Engineering Journal, 233, 109-116.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2013.07.088 [12] Rahman, M.A. and Elefsiniotis, P. (2015) The Effect of Upper Mesophilic Temperature and Feed-to-Seed Ratio on Batch Anaerobic Digestion Systems. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, 45, 1126-1133.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2010.486346 [13] Yu, J., Zheng, M., Tao, T., Zuo, J. and Wang, K. (2013) Waste Activated Sludge Treatment Based on Temperature Staged and Biologically Phased Anaerobic Digestion System. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 25, 2056-2064.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60266-6 [14] USEPA (1994) A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule. EPA/832/R-93/003, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wastewater Management, Washington DC. [15] Speece, R.E. (2008) Anaerobic Biotechnology and Odor/Corrosion Control for Municipalities and Industries. Archae Press, Nashville. [16] APHA (2012) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 22nd Edition, American Public Health Association, Washington DC. [17] USEPA (2006) EPA Method 1680: Fecal Coliforms in Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) by Multiple-Tube Fermentation Using Lauryl Tryptose Broth (LTB) and EC Medium. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wastewater Management, Washington DC. [18] Smith, H.S., McCarty, P.L. and Kitanidis, P.K. (1998) Spreadsheet Method for Evaluation of Biochemical Reaction Rate Coefficients and Their Uncertainties by Weighted Nonlinear Least-Squares Analysis of the Integrated Monod Equation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 64, 2044-2050. [19] Shuler, M.L. and Kargi, F. (2002) Bioprocess Engineering Basic Concepts. Prentice Hall International, Englewood Cliffs. [20] Gerardi, M.H. (2003) The Microbiology of Anaerobic Digesters. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/0471468967 [21] McCarty, P.L. (1964) Anaerobic Waste Treatment Fundamentals—Part Three—Toxic Materials and Their Control. Public Works, 95, 91-94. [22] Braun, R., Huber, P. and Meyrath, J. (1981) Ammonia Toxicity in Liquid Piggery Manure Digestion. Biotechnology Letter, 3, 159-164.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00239655 [23] McCarty, P.L. (1964) Anaerobic Waste Treatment Fundamentals—Part Two—Environmental Requirements and Control. Public Works, 95, 123-126. [24] McCarty, P.L. (1964) Anaerobic Waste Treatment Fundamentals—Part Four—Process Design. Public Works, 95, 95-99. [25] McCarty, P.L. and McKinney, R.E. (1961) Volatile Acid Toxicity in Anaerobic Digestion. Journal of Water Pollution Control Federation, 33, 223-232. [26] Zhao, Q. and Kugel, G. (1996) Thermophilic/Mesophilic Digestion of Sewage Sludge and Organic Wastes. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, 31, 2211-2231.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10934529609376487 [27] USEPA (2003) Environmental Regulations and Technology: Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge. EPA/625/R-92-013, Washington DC. [28] Han, Y. and Dague, R.R. (1997) Laboratory Studies on the Temperature-Phased Anaerobic Digestion of Domestic Primary Sludge. Water Environment Research, 69, 1139-1143.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2175/106143097X125885 [29] Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, J. and Meng, L. (2009) Effects of Volatile Fatty Acid Concentrations on Methane Yield and Methanogenic Bacteria. Biomass and Bioenergy, 33, 848-853.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.01.007 [30] Izumi, K., Okishio, Y.K., Niwa, C., Yamamoto, S. and Toda, T. (2010) Effects of Particle Size on Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 64, 601-608.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2010.06.013 [31] McCarty, P.L. and McKinney, R.E. (1965) Salt Toxicity in Anaerobic Digestion. Journal of Water Pollution Control Federation, 33, 399-415.