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14 pages, 2500 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Biogas from Quinoa, Wheat, and Andean Guinea Pig Residuals as Biofuels for Gas Turbines

by José Francisco González Álvarez, Borja Velázquez-Martí, Juan Gaibor-Chávez, John Eloy Franco Rodríguez and Carlos Rico

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7802; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137802 - 02 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1281

Abstract

This article shows the effect that biogases obtained from crop residuals from the Andean region have on the performance of a whole medium-sized electrical-generating gas turbine. This technology could be used to supply electricity in energy-depressed areas where biogas is the only accessible [...] Read more.

This article shows the effect that biogases obtained from crop residuals from the Andean region have on the performance of a whole medium-sized electrical-generating gas turbine. This technology could be used to supply electricity in energy-depressed areas where biogas is the only accessible resource. The gas turbine worked with higher efficiencies when the obtained biogases were used compared to natural gas. The biofuel that presented the highest efficiencies was the one obtained from wheat residuals alone. Despite this fact, this biofuel would be the most prone to create aerodynamic problems in the stages of the gas turbine. In this work, it was found that the addition of guinea pig manure to different crop residuals created biofuels less prone to create aerodynamic problems in the compression and expansion stages. In particular, the studied biofuel that had the most similar aerodynamic behavior to the design natural gas case was the one obtained from guinea pig manure and quinoa residuals. On the other hand, this biogas presented the lowest efficiencies of the studied biofuels. Despite this fact, this biofuel showed higher efficiencies than the natural gas case. In the gas turbine combustion chamber, all the studied biofuels operated at lower temperatures than the ones with natural gas, even in the high-power range. This would be an important feature for the running of the combustion chamber and the high-pressure turbine superalloys. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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15 pages, 3102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salinity Inhibition in Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Waste

by Gregor Drago Zupančič, Mario Panjičko, Romana Marinšek Logar, Lea Lavrič, Maša Zorec and Lijana Fanedl

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6590; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116590 - 29 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1238

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion, despite its preferable use as a treatment for high organic matter polluted waste streams, is susceptible to inhibitors, salt included. Therefore, two different experiments were conducted to observe the responses of bacterial and archaeal communities to hypersaline environments. In the first [...] Read more.

Anaerobic digestion, despite its preferable use as a treatment for high organic matter polluted waste streams, is susceptible to inhibitors, salt included. Therefore, two different experiments were conducted to observe the responses of bacterial and archaeal communities to hypersaline environments. In the first experiment, salt was added gradually, while in the second experiment, salt was added rapidly (so-called salt shocks were performed). The results of the gradual addition of salt showed a recovery of methane production after the salt concentration decreased. The NaCl concentration of 28.2 g/L seems to be the limit between stable operation and occurrence inhibition. The specific biogas production varied between 0.490 and 0.562 m³/kg_tCOD during the stepwise salt addition, depending on the salt concentration, while the maximal achieved COD removal was 79.8%. The results of the rapid salt addition showed good recovery of the bacterial community, while a reduction of salt-sensitive species was observed in the archaeal community. The trend of specific biogas production during rapid salt addition was stable with an average value of 0.590 m³/kg_tCOD, and it was observed that higher concentrations of up to 39.4 g/L of NaCl were tolerated. The maximum COD removal achieved during rapid salt addition was 83.1%. In conclusion, certain bacterial and archaeal communities were well-adapted to the hypersaline environment and remained active during the anaerobic digestion of substrates with high salt concentration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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21 pages, 2626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biogas Production and Metagenomic Analysis in a New Hybrid Anaerobic Labyrinth-Flow Bioreactor Treating Dairy Wastewater

by Marcin Zieliński, Marta Kisielewska, Marcin Dębowski, Paulina Rusanowska, Anna Nowicka and Magda Dudek

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 5197; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13085197 - 21 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1071

Abstract

Increasing worldwide milk manufacturing and dairy processing resulted in producing more effluents, and thus effective management of wastewater is now the most important issue. This study used a new design of a pilot plant-scale hybrid anaerobic labyrinth-flow bioreactor (AL-FB) to increase the efficiency [...] Read more.

Increasing worldwide milk manufacturing and dairy processing resulted in producing more effluents, and thus effective management of wastewater is now the most important issue. This study used a new design of a pilot plant-scale hybrid anaerobic labyrinth-flow bioreactor (AL-FB) to increase the efficiency of anaerobic biodegradation and biogas productivity and improve anaerobic microflora performance. In addition, effluent recirculation was used to boost the treatment of dairy wastewater. Metagenomic analyses of the anaerobic microbial community were performed. It was found that an organic loading rate (OLR) of 4.0–8.0 g COD/L·d contributed to the highest CH₄ yield of 0.18 ± 0.01–0.23 ± 0.02 L CH₄/g COD removed, which corresponded to a high COD removal of 87.5 ± 2.8–94.1 ± 1.3%. The evenest distribution of the microorganisms’ phyla determined the highest biogas production. In all tested samples, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes abundance was the highest, and Archaea accounted for about 4%. Metagenomic studies showed that methane was mainly produced in acetoclastic methanogenesis; however, higher OLRs were more favorable for enhanced hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Effluent recirculation enhanced the overall treatment. Thus, at OLR of 10.0 g COD/L·d, the highest COD removal was 89.2 ± 0.4%, and methane production yield achieved 0.20 ± 0.01 L CH₄/g COD removed, which was higher by 25% compared to the achievements without recirculation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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21 pages, 25143 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Microwave Radiation on Pollutant Removal and Biomethane Production Efficiency in Anaerobic Treatment of High-Load Poultry Wastewater

by Marcin Zieliński, Marcin Dębowski, Paulina Rusanowska and Joanna Kazimierowicz

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3553; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063553 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 997

Abstract

The growing consumption of poultry meat has spurred the development of meat-processing plants and an associated rise in wastewater generation. Anaerobic digestion is one of the preferred processes for treating such waste. The current push towards biogas upgrading and out-of-plant use necessitates new, [...] Read more.

The growing consumption of poultry meat has spurred the development of meat-processing plants and an associated rise in wastewater generation. Anaerobic digestion is one of the preferred processes for treating such waste. The current push towards biogas upgrading and out-of-plant use necessitates new, competitive ways of heating digesters. One such alternative is to use electromagnetic microwave radiation (EMR). The aim of the study was to assessment how EMR used as a heat source impacts the anaerobic processing of high-load poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (H-LPSW) and its performance. Microwave heating (MWH) was found to boost the CH₄ fraction in the biogas under mesophilic conditions (35 °C) as long as the organic load rate (OLR) was maintained within 1.0 kgCOD/dm³·d to 4.0 kgCOD/dm³·d. The best performing variant—EPM heating (55 °C), OLR = 3.0 kgCOD/dm³·d, HRT = 5 days—produced 70.4 ± 2.7% CH₄. High COD and TOC removal, as well as the highest biogas yields, were achieved for loadings of 1.0 gCOD/dm³·d to 4.0 gCOD/dm³·d. Effluent from the EMR-heated reactors (1.0 gCOD/dm³·d) contained, on average, 0.30 ± 0.07 gO₂/dm³ at 55 °C and 0.38 ± 0.10 gO₂/dm³ at 35 °C. The corresponding COD removal rates were 97.8 ± 0.6% and 98.1 ± 0.4%, respectively. The 5.0 gCOD/dm³·d and 6.0 gCOD/dm³·d OLR variants showed incremental decreases in performance. Based on the polymerase chain reaction results of 16S rDNA analysis, diversity of bacterial communities were mostly determined by OLR, not way of heating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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18 pages, 2386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Synergistic Effect of Simultaneous Ultrasound Heating and Disintegration on the Technological Efficiency and Energetic Balance of Anaerobic Digestion of High-Load Slaughter Poultry Sewage

by Joanna Kazimierowicz, Marcin Dębowski and Marcin Zieliński

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2420; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042420 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1022

Abstract

Regulations in force urge for thermal pre-treatment of post-slaughter waste prior to its anaerobic digestion. Increased interest in biomethane as a fuel in gas networks or vehicles of road transport forces the need to look for heating methods that are alternative to heat [...] Read more.

Regulations in force urge for thermal pre-treatment of post-slaughter waste prior to its anaerobic digestion. Increased interest in biomethane as a fuel in gas networks or vehicles of road transport forces the need to look for heating methods that are alternative to heat recovery from cogeneration. The goal of this study was to determine the synergistic effect of simultaneous ultrasound heating and disintegration on the technological efficiency and energetic balance of the anaerobic digestion of high-load slaughter poultry wastewater. The highest efficiency of anaerobic digestion was obtained for the ultrasound thermal pre-treatment (60 min, 90 °C, OLR = 2.0 gCOD/dm³). In this experimental variant, the biogas production rate reached 9.0 ± 0.2 cm³/gCOD·h, biogas yield was 492 ± 10 cm³/gCOD, and the biogas produced contained 69.8 ± 1.4% CH₄. Given the incurred energy outputs, the highest net energetic efficiencies, i.e., 5.92 ± 0.43 Wh and 5.80 ± 0.42 Wh, were obtained in the variants with the conventional thermal pre-treatment (60 min, 70 °C, OLR = 6.0 gCOD/dm³) and ultrasound thermal pre-treatment (60 min, 70 °C, OLR = 6.0 gCOD/dm³), respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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8 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Effect of pH Change on the Microalgae-Based Biogas Upgrading Process

by Leslie Meier, Carlos Vilchez, María Cuaresma, Álvaro Torres-Aravena and David Jeison

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 12194; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122312194 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1409

Abstract

An alternative way to remove CO₂ from biogas is the use of photosynthetic microorganisms, such as microalgae. This can be achieved by the operation of an open photobioreactor, connected with a mass transfer column, such as a counterflow column. This technology provides [...] Read more.

An alternative way to remove CO₂ from biogas is the use of photosynthetic microorganisms, such as microalgae. This can be achieved by the operation of an open photobioreactor, connected with a mass transfer column, such as a counterflow column. This technology provides up-graded biogas with high quality. The microalgal uptake of CO₂ from the biogas in counterflow columns generates pH changes in microalgae culture. To clarify the potential effect of these dynamic pH conditions in the culture, the effect of pH change on the photosynthetic activity and PSII quantum yield was studied for microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana. Thus, assays were carried out, where the pH drop reported in the counterflow columns was replicated in batch microalgae culture through HCl addition and CO₂ injection, moving the culture pH from 7.0 to 5.0 and from 7.0 to 5.8, respectively. Moreover, the effect of light/darkness on photosynthetic activity was tested when the pH decreased. The results obtained in this research showed that the photosynthetic activity decreased for the light conditions when the pH was shifted by HCl addition and CO₂ injection. Despite this, the value of the PSII quantum yield remained at 0.6–0.7, which means that the microalgae culture did not suffer a negative effect on the photosynthetic system of cells because a high value of PSII efficiency remained. In the same way, the results indicated that when the pH change was corrected, the photosynthetic activity recovered. Moreover, the apparent affinity constant for dissolved inorganic carbon (KDIC) was 0.9 µM at pH 5 and 112.0 µM at pH 7, which suggests that the preferred carbon source for C.sorokniana is CO₂. Finally, all the results obtained indicated that the pH drop in the counter-flow column for biogas upgrading did not cause permanent damage to the photosynthetic system, and the decrease in the photosynthetic activity as a result of the pH drop can be recovered when the pH is corrected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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Review

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27 pages, 888 KiB

Open AccessReview

Production of Biogas and Biomethane as Renewable Energy Sources: A Review

by Debora Mignogna, Paolo Ceci, Claudia Cafaro, Giulia Corazzi and Pasquale Avino

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10219; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810219 - 12 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3670

Abstract

An economy based on renewable energy sources is the hallmark of responsible companies. Climate policy and energy crisis commitments have led to a search for alternative ways to produce energy. Bioenergy is considered the most consistent renewable energy source due to its economic [...] Read more.

An economy based on renewable energy sources is the hallmark of responsible companies. Climate policy and energy crisis commitments have led to a search for alternative ways to produce energy. Bioenergy is considered the most consistent renewable energy source due to its economic and environmental benefits. Biogas and biomethane are promising forms of renewable energy derived from widely available evergreen raw materials. Agricultural, animal, industrial and food wastes are excellent substrates used to produce clean and sustainable energy in a circular economy context. Their conversion into biogas and biomethane through the anaerobic digestion (AD) process is an efficient solution to the treatment of waste of different origins. The production and use of biomethane favor important environmental advantages, such as the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with those deriving from the use of conventional fossil fuels. This review would like to highlight modern trends and approaches to evaluate processes and strategies to control biogas and biomethane production. In particular, the use of livestock waste for the digestion process and the reuse of the by-product as fertilizer, as well as the potential development of biogas and biomethane as prospects for the improvement and optimization of renewable energy sources, are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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22 pages, 2349 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biogas Production in AnMBRs via Treatment of Municipal and Domestic Wastewater: Opportunities and Fouling Mitigation Strategies

by Wirginia Tomczak, Marek Gryta, Ireneusz Grubecki and Justyna Miłek

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6466; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116466 - 25 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1155

Abstract

In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in developing the potential of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). The present paper presents a comprehensive review of studies focused on biogas production via the treatment of municipal and domestic wastewater with the use of such [...] Read more.

In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in developing the potential of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). The present paper presents a comprehensive review of studies focused on biogas production via the treatment of municipal and domestic wastewater with the use of such technology. The main aim of the current work was to evaluate the impact of operating parameters on the biogas production yield. Moreover, the possibilities of applying various fouling mitigation strategies have been discussed in detail. Analyses have been performed and reported in the literature, which were conducted with the use of submerged and external AnMBRs equipped with both polymeric and ceramic membranes. It has been shown that, so far, the impact of the hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biogas yield is ambiguous. This finding indicates that future studies on this issue are required. In addition, it was demonstrated that temperature has a positive impact on process performance. However, as presented in the literature, investigations have been carried out mainly under psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions. Hence, performing further experimental studies at temperatures above 40 °C is highly recommended. Moreover, it has been shown that in order to restore the initial permeate flux, a combination of several membrane cleaning methods is often required. The findings presented in the current study may be particularly important for the determination of operating conditions and suitable fouling mitigation strategies for laboratory-scale and pilot-scale AnMBRs used for biogas production via the treatment of municipal and domestic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Treatment, Utilization and Future Opportunities of Biogas)

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