The human colon is an anaerobic environment densely populated with bacterial species, creating what is known as the human intestinal microbiome; an ecosystem imperative to physiological function with regards to metabolism of non-digestible residues, growth of cells and immune protection from invading organisms. As such, quantifying, and subsequently developing an understanding of the behaviour of this microbial population can be of great value. Unfortunately, because of the physical inaccessibility of many parts of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, routine experimentation with this environment is not practical. However, theoretical modelling techniques including in vitro and in silico simulation/experimental platforms provide a means by which further studying of intestinal microflora can be approached. Perfecting these theoretical models is an important step in further understanding colon microbiota. An existing in silico model of carbohydrate digestion in the colon, developed by Munoz-Tamayo et al. (2010) has been used as a platform for experimentation with the intention of of discovering features which may be removed and/or added to improve the performance and reliability of the design. The model is an adaptation of the waste-water engineering based mathematical model ADM1 (Anaerobic Digestion Model 1), developed to incorporate biochemical and environmental specifications as well as physical structures particular to the human colon. The model is then a system of 102-ordinary differential equation with 66 parameters.Simulations with the default model configuration as well as variations of input variables, namely dietary fiber consumption and system flow rate, were completed to study the effect on average biomass concentration, demonstrating significant sensitivity to input variables and an unexpected linearity based on the non-linearity of the original complex system. Simulations and further study suggest that advancements in in silico modelling of the colon rely on the development of a metric or scheme that can effectively compare mathematically generated data with that collected through traditional experimentation. Also, experimenting with various reactor configurations as a basis for mathematical modelling may prove simpler configurations capable of generating comparable data to more complicated designs which may then also be applicable to existing in vitro representations of the colon.

In municipal wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion is the slowest process requiring at least 15 day solids retention time (SRT). Treating only a small fraction of the total wastewater stream, anaerobic digesters require large reactor volumes and consistent heating (40°C). Thus, there is a growing need to investigate techniques to improve digestion efficiency. The long SRT requirement is a result of the time required for biological reactions such as hydrolysis and acetoclastic methanogenesis. There are numerous pretreatment methods which have so far been developed to particularly enhance hydrolysis. These pretreatment methods include thermalization, mechanical treatments, and chemical treatments. These methods aim to increase the degradability of the influent waste sludge which in turn will increase the efficiency of the digestion process. The goal of the research presented in this thesis is to enhance another limiting biological reaction: acetoclastic methanogenesis. Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) technology was integrated into lab-scale anaerobic digesters in order to accelerate biosolids destruction under various SRT and temperature conditions. Various mathematical simulations were conducted using a developed steady-state ADM1 (Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1) model to further evaluate the performance of the digesters. The results of the research indicate that the proposed method is effective at shortened SRTs (e.g., 6 days) and can enhance the stability of anaerobic digestion when exposed to variations in temperature and influent composition. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Thesis (Master of Environmental Management)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Fresh water is a renewable resource, but it is also finite, especially given environmental impacts from anthropogenic activities. Globally, there are countless signs that untreated industrial discharge into fresh watercourses is one of the main causes of ecosystem degradation. Poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) amongst the main pollutants of fresh water sources. In recent years, the world’s pre-eminent researchers have developed innovative wastewater treatment processes to treat the large quantity of wastewater generated as well as to manage the environmental health concerns arising from PSW discharged into the environment. Furthermore, increasing wastewater treatment capital costs and the implementation of increasingly rigorous government legislation to mitigate environmental pollution whilst minimizing fresh water source contamination, requires that wastewater such as PSW, be adequately treated prior to discharge. In order to assist the small-scale poultry producers in South Africa (SA), process simulation for a small-scale poultry slaughterhouse wastewater treatment plant was proposed using Sumo Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) simulation software. Sumo is an innovative and most versatile wastewater simulation package on the market. The simulator is capable of modelling treatment plants of unlimited complexity, focusing largely on Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen and phosphorus removal; with digester, and side streams design options, being available. Considering the possible advantages in modelling and ongoing studies of implementing wastewater treatment to increase water management, anaerobic digestion of high strength wastewater such as PSW, warranted this research study. Model development from the simulation included the evaluation of numerous design options to assist small scale poultry producers, to have a variety of designs to choose from in their PSW WWTP designs. With the aid of Sumo, two models were designed in this study, namely a single-stage and a two-stage anaerobic digestion without a recycle. The PSW used as feed was obtained from a local poultry slaughterhouse (Western Cape, South Africa). Both model designs predicted the reduction of the organic matter (COD, BOD5) total suspended solids (TSS), and volatile suspended solids (VSS) in the PSW. The digester for the single stage anaerobic digestion system modelled was set to operate at steady state for 150 days under mesophilic temperature (35 ˚C) with a solid retention time (SRT) of 25 days. The COD, TSS, VSS and BOD removal efficiencies reached a maximum of 64%, 77%, 84%, and 94%, respectively, at an organic load rate (OLR) of 143.6 mg COD/L/day. A minute increase in the ammonia (NH3) and phosphate (PO3- 4) concentration was observed once the simulation was completed. As for the two-stage anaerobic digestion system, both digesters were set to perform at mesophilic temperatures (35 ˚C) and a SRT of 13 days in the first digester and 25 days in the subsequent digester. The two-stage anaerobic digestion showed better performance in comparison to the single-stage anaerobic digestion system. The COD, TSS, VSS and BOD5 removal efficiencies reached a maximum of 69%, 79%, 85%, and 96%, respectively, at an at an OLR of 143.6 mg COD/L/day. A similar trend regarding phosphate and ammonia removal was noticed in the two-stage anaerobic digestion, suggesting a tertiary treatment system to be in place for further treatment. Although, the two-stage anaerobic digestion demonstrated adequate performance, for the purpose of this study, the single-stage was the process recommended for PSW treatment, as it is less costly and will be suitable for small scale poultry producers; albeit biogas production is much higher when digesters are connected in series. The PSW treatment modelling for this study was successfully employed with the resultant effluent being compliant with the City of Cape Town (CCT) wastewater and industrial effluent by-law discharge limits. Although, both the PO3- 4 and NH3 were suggested to require further monitoring. Therefore, the poultry slaughterhouse from which the PSW was obtained will be able to safely discharge the treated wastewater proposed in this research into local water bodies, i.e. rivers in the Western Cape, SA; however, the treated PSW will not be suitable for re-use as process water.

Les deux principaux objectifs de cette thèse sont de développer les aspects théoriques et expérimentaux sur la co-méthanisation des déchets fermiers et alimentaires. Les objectifs de nos études portent sur l'élimination du maximum de déchets mis en ISDND, la réduction des pollutions des milieux naturels (eau, sol, air) par les effluents d'élevage, les boues de STEP et sur la mise en disposition d'une source énergétique renouvelable via le biogaz obtenu. Premièrement, nous avons effectué des expérimentations sur la co-méthanisation des effluents liquides, lisier de porc, boues de STEP, et de la vinasse et le mélange de ces effluents d'élevage avec les déjections solides des animaux (fumier, fientes) et des biodéchets (restes de repas). Ces expérimentations avaient pour but de suivre l'évolution du milieu réactionnel en fonction du composant du mélange ainsi co-digéré. Deuxièmement des tests des potentiels méthane et biogaz issus de mélange associant plusieurs types de déchets organiques sous différents états physiques (liquide, semi liquide, pâteux, solide) ont été effectués. La problématique qui se posait étant de savoir parmi les déchets à mélanger, quelle proportion de chaque mono-substrat donnera le meilleur potentiel méthanogène et s'il était possible de mettre en avant des effets synergétiques entre déchets. Nous avons fait appel à un outil statistique, le plan de mélange pour définir les mélanges à tester. Pour un mélange à 3 composants (fumier de vache, lisier de porc, restes de repas), le nombre d'expériences optimum à réaliser a été de 13. La réalisation du plan de mélange, c'est à dire la campagne expérimentale sur les co-méthanisations des 13 mélanges proposés nous a permis d'observer que le potentiel méthane d'un mélange dépend tout premièrement de sa texture (état physique) à l'entrée du processus. Un mélange contenant un maximum en proportion en co-produits liquides (lisier de porc) associé avec le maximum de déchets riches en substrats solubles (restes de repas) nous a donné les meilleurs potentiels méthane et biogaz. Cette observation a été confirmée par le taux de conversion de la matière sèche (MS) en matière volatile (MV) du mélange. Compte tenu du taux de MS, MV et le ratio MV/MS d'un mélange, ainsi que les interactions entre les composants du mélange, une loi permettant de prédire le potentiel biogaz d'un mélange doit considérer ces facteurs. Cette loi doit tenir compte de l'effet positif (synergisme) et l'effet négatif (antagonisme) entre les composants du mélange. Cette loi a été définie dans le but de prédire le potentiel méthane des mélanges constitués de fumier de vache, lisier de porc et restes de repas et se situant à l'intérieur du domaine expérimental défini par les limites sur les proportions minimale et maximale de chaque composant du mélange. Toutefois, cette loi définie n'est applicable qu'aux mélanges d'association de fumier de vache, de lisier de porc et des restes de repas. Cette loi a été définie pour estimer le BMP des mélanges, et ne permet pas de suivre le procédé de la méthanisation. Aussi, pour prédire le volume de biogaz (méthane) journalier ou cumulé de la cométhanisation. / The two main objectives of this thesis are to develop theoretical and experimental aspects of the anaerobic co-digestion of farm wastes associated with food. Our general studies have for objectives the elimination as much as possible the maximum of organic waste into non-hazardous landfills, reduce pollution of natural environments (water, soil, air) by the effluent livestock, sewage sludge, and dispose of energy via the produced biogas.Firstly, we carried out experiments on the anaerobic co-digestion of the liquid effluents association (pig slurry, sewage sludge, vinasse effluents) and the mixture of animal slurries, manures, and food waste. The aim of these experiments was to follow the evolution of the reactor behavior according to the component of the co-digested mixture.Secondly, BMP tests of mixture of association several types of organic waste under different physical condition (liquid, semi liquid, pasty, solid) were carried out. We have been tried to know, which proportion of each mono-substrate will give the best BMP among waste to mix? We used a statistical tool, the mixture design to define the mixtures to be tested. For a mixture with 3 components (cow dung, pig slurry, food waste), the optimum number of experiments to realize was 13.The realization of the mixture design, i.e. the experiment series on the anaerobic co-digestion of the 13 proposed mixtures enabled us to observe that the BMP of a mixture firstly depends on its texture (physical state) at the entry of the process. A mixture containing a maximum in proportion in liquid substrate (pig slurry) associated with food waste gave us the best biogas and methane potential. This observation was confirmed by the conversion rate of dry matter to volatile solid (VS) of the mixture. These results were proven by the activity (synergism, antagonism) of mixtures components influencing to BMP tests.The empiric law defined to predict the BMP of a mixture must to account the rate of VS/DM of a mixture, and the interactions between components of the mixture. This law must also include the positive effect (synergism) and negative (antagonism) between components of the mixture. This law has been defined in order to predict the potential methane mixtures of cow dung, pig slurry and food wastes and being within the experimental domain defined by the limits on minimum and maximum proportions of each component of the mixture. However, this definite law is applicable only to the mixtures of cow dung, pig slurry and food waste. The definite law is limited for prediction of mixtures BMP. However, this empiric law can not be used to follow reactor process. Model with three stages (hydrolysis of soluble substrate, acidogenic production stage and methanogenic stage) was used to predict daily and cumulative of biogas and methane production of anaerobic digestion of farm waste associated with vegetable waste. This model must be adapted with substrate type used and experimentations conditions (batch and mesophilic conditions). An adjustment of the model equations describing hydrolysis polymers stage was necessary in order to take into account of the concentration of polymers in particulate forms contained in complex substrates such as manure, slurry, and vegetable food waste. This adapted model was called model of Coupling. Indeed, a calibration of the most influential parameters of the model of Coupling, on the output must be carried out in order to validate the model.Daily and cumulative predictions of biogas and methane production of anaerobic digestion of farm waste associated with food waste were obtained by using adapted dynamical model. Model parameters values depend on the substrate type using in experimentation processes. Moreover, parameters values must be verified, needing further work.