Biomethanation of Spent Wash: Bacterial Pretreatment to Remove Heavy Metals by Adsorption

Optimization of biogas production from wheat straw stillage in UASB reactor

“…The pretreated biomass showed to contain inhibitory compounds such as lignin-related phenolic compounds and sugar-related HMF and furfurals [20,30,33]. In addition, high levels of potassium [15], metals [16] and sulphate [17], not determined in the present study, were shown to inhibit anaerobic digestion of stillage.…”

“…Similarly, 80% COD removal efficiency was reported during the treatment of grain distillation wastewater with an initial COD level of 20-30 g O 2 /l in an up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor [10]. However, high levels of potassium [15], metals [16] and sulphate [17] have been demonstrated to inhibit anaerobic digestion of stillage. For instance, cane molasses stillage with a COD of over 100 g/l was found to inhibit stable digestion and dilution to a COD of around 50 g/l using other waste streams at the plant improved the digestion [18].…”