Co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge: Effect on biogas production and microcontaminants removal

Solé-Bundó, Maria; Garfí, Marianna; Matamoros, Víctor; Ferrer, Ivet

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.011

Cited by 73 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Carbon-rich biomass can be added to the digester to increase the low C:N ratio of algae and reduce the inhibitory effects of ammonia [218]. Many reports suggest a co-digestion process with an improved C:N ratio can deliver economic viability in addition to other benefits such as better biogas yield; improved buffering capacity; dilution of inhibitory compounds; and improved nutrient balance [168,219]. The co-digestion of Sargassum spp.…”

Section: C:n and Co-digestionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Brief Review of Anaerobic Digestion of Algae for Bioenergy

et al. 2019

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The potential of algal biomass as a source of liquid and gaseous biofuels has been the subject of considerable research over the past few decades, with researchers strongly agreeing that algae have the potential of becoming a viable aquatic energy crop with a higher energy potential compared to that from either terrestrial biomass or municipal solid waste. However, neither microalgae nor seaweed are currently cultivated solely for energy purposes due to the high costs of harvesting, concentrating and drying. Anaerobic digestion of algal biomass could theoretically reduce costs associated with drying wet biomass before processing, but practical yields of biogas from digestion of many algae are substantially below the theoretical maximum. New processing methods are needed to reduce costs and increase the net energy balance. This review examines the biochemical and structural properties of seaweeds and of microalgal biomass that has been produced as part of the treatment of wastewater, and discusses some of the significant hurdles and recent initiatives for producing biogas from their anaerobic digestion.

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Section: C:n and Co-digestionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Brief Review of Anaerobic Digestion of Algae for Bioenergy

et al. 2019

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“…The high ultimate digestibility of the sludge mixture used in this study is attributed to its relatively lower WAS proportion compared to PS, which typically contains more readily biodegradable organic substrates (Solé‐Bundó et al, 2019; Wu et al, 2010). Thus, the pre‐stage HT is less effective in increasing CH 4 production from sludge with a relatively high content of readily biodegradable organic substrates.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative assessment of pre‐ and inter‐stage hydrothermal treatment of municipal sludge for increased methane production

Zhang

Liu

Wang

et al. 2021

Water Environment Research

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Hydrothermal treatment (HT) is a promising technology to enhance anaerobic digestion (AD) of municipal sludge. However, the capacity of pre-and inter-stage HT (i.e., HT-AD and AD-HT-AD, respectively) to enhance the digestibility of municipal sludge has not been sufficiently explored. This study compared the efficacy of pre-and inter-stage HT performed from 90 to 185°C to enhance methane production from a mixture of primary sludge and waste activated sludge using mesophilic (35°C) biochemical methane potential tests. In both configurations, sludge solubilization increased with HT temperature. HT-AD, and to a greater extent AD-HT-AD, increased the release of ammonium nitrogen. Even though HT at 185°C dramatically increased sludge solubilization, the overall specific methane yield with HT at 185°C was lower than or comparable to that at lower HT temperatures in the HT-AD and AD-HT-AD configurations, respectively. Up to 155°C HT, the overall specific methane yield with the HT-AD configuration was higher by 4.9%-8.3% compared to the AD-HT-AD configuration. However, when the HT energy was considered, compared to the control (i.e., AD of sludge without HT), the net energy gain (ΔE) decreased as the HT temperature increased, becoming negative at an HT of 185°C. The AD-HT-AD configuration resulted in a higher overall volatile solids destruction (by 8.1 to 20.1%). In conclusion, for municipal sludge with a relatively high ultimate digestibility, as was the case in this study, HT-AD is preferable as it has a smaller footprint and is easier to operate than the AD-HT-AD configuration. However, given the significantly higher volatile solids destruction in the AD-HT-AD configuration, compared to the HT-AD configuration, AD-HT-AD may be more beneficial considering post-AD sludge handling processes. © 2021 Water Environment Federation • Practitioner points• Hydrothermal treatment (HT) increased the rate and extent of methane production from municipal sludge mixture. • 155°C was the optimal temperature for either pre-or inter-stage HT to increase biogas production. • Pre-and inter-stage HT resulted in comparable ultimate methane production.• Pre-stage HT is preferable to inter-stage HT (smaller footprint, easier to operate).• AD-HT-AD resulted in significantly higher volatile solids destruction compared to the HT-AD configuration.

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“…In most of the investigations for biogas production using microalgal biomass, it has been carried out via methanogenesis in co-digestion system with sewage sludge (SS) or with other co-substrates [101]. Solé-Bundó et al [102] investigated the effect of co-digestion of microalgae biomass and primary sludge (PS) on biogas productivity as well as on microcontaminants removal efficiency. The results showed that co-digestion enhances 65% CH 4 productivity as well as microcontaminants removal efficiency achieved up to 90%.…”

Section: Biogasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Biofuel Production in Microalgae Biorefineries

et al. 2021

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The increasing world population generates huge amounts of wastewater as well as large energy demand. Additionally, fossil fuel’s combustion for energy production causes the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants. Therefore, there is a strong need to find alternative green approaches for wastewater treatment and energy production. Microalgae biorefineries could represent an effective strategy to mitigate the above problems. Microalgae biorefineries are a sustainable alternative to conventional wastewater treatment processes, as they potentially allow wastewater to be treated at lower costs and with lower energy consumption. Furthermore, they provide an effective means to recover valuable compounds for biofuel production or other applications. This review focuses on the current scenario and future prospects of microalgae biorefineries aimed at combining wastewater treatment with biofuel production. First, the different microalgal cultivation systems are examined, and their main characteristics and limitations are discussed. Then, the technologies available for converting the biomass produced during wastewater treatment into biofuel are critically analyzed. Finally, current challenges and research directions for biofuel production and wastewater treatment through this approach are outlined.

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Co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge: Effect on biogas production and microcontaminants removal

Cited by 73 publications

References 49 publications

A Brief Review of Anaerobic Digestion of Algae for Bioenergy

A Brief Review of Anaerobic Digestion of Algae for Bioenergy

Comparative assessment of pre‐ and inter‐stage hydrothermal treatment of municipal sludge for increased methane production

Integrated Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Biofuel Production in Microalgae Biorefineries

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