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Acidogenic codigestion of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) was studied at 37"C using suspended sludge digesters operated as sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). Volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was found to increase with larger FOG loading rates, although this increase was insignificant compared the theoretical VFA production from FOG addition. Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) were found to have accumulated in the reactor vessel in semi-solid balls that were primarily composed of saturated LCFAs. Adding high FOG loadings to an APD not acclimated to LCFAs allowed for a mass balance calculation and resulted in near complete saturation of unsaturated LCFAs and significant accumulation of LCFA material in the digester, which was found to be mostly 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1. While 18:2 and 18:3 LCFAs were nearly completely removed, 18:0 and 14:0 LCFAs were produced, most likely from the degradation of 18:2 and 18:3 LCFAs. The APD pH was found to have a significant impact on the amount of accumulated LCFA material present, with higher pH levels resulting in less accumulated material. Two-phase codigestion of FOG was also studied using an APD followed by gas-phase (GPD) digesters. The two-phase systems were compared by FOG addition to the APD versus GPD. FOG addition to the APD resulted in 88% destruction of LCFAs, whereas FOG addition to the GPD resulted in 95% destruction of LCFAs. Accumulated LCFAs in the APD receiving FOG were composed mostly of stearic acid (18:0). The low pH of the APD is likely the cause of LCFA accumulation due to saturation of unsaturated LCFAs. / Master of Science

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The UK buries about 100 million tonnes of waste a year, of which 25% is municipal solid waste (refuse). The environmental impacts from gas and leachate releases are known and direct risks to health from landfill are reported. Europe has agreed to a Landfill Directive which has set targets for the stepwise reduction in biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill. The anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste in controlled bioreactors is an area that could play an important role in overall evolution towards sustainability by recovering biogas and organic matter. Separated hydrolysis and subsequent anaerobic codigestion was demonstrated from the literature review to have the best potential for biodegradable municipal waste diverted from landfill. The rate of hydrolysis of solids wastes remains an outstanding problem. In this research, firstly the codigestion of industrial effluent (coffee wastewater), food wastes and garden wastes were investigated for their impact on hydrolysis and digestion. The results show that there were no treatability problems for coffee wastes up to 37.5% of volume feed per day at the HRT of 9 days. The results supported the view that dilute biodegradable streams such as coffee waste may improve digestion by promoting mixing. Fruit and vegetable wastes were highly biodegradable and can have a major improvement in biogas production of the whole codigestion process, whereas garden waste was not as successful as a cosubstrate, probably because of the predominant celluloses and lignocelluloses with a low biodegradability. The literature review also revealed that washing or elutriation can remove organic matter from municipal waste. This is an important hydrolytic process in which a solubilised acidic organic matter is obtained. The codigestion of refuse hydrolysate with sewage sludge was therefore studied. A control digester treating sewage sludge only was compared with an experimental reactor fed mixed refuse hydrolysate with sewage sludge. It was possible to add the solubilised hydrolysate to existing anaerobic digesters designed at a standard sludge solids loading rate without causing overloading. (Continues...).

Resumo: A suinocultura atingiu índices elevados de produtividade por meio do emprego de avançadas tecnologias de produção, resultando em maior geração de dejeto líquido suíno (DLS) com grande potencial de contaminação de águas mananciais. O resíduo de hortifruti (RH) é produzido em grandes quantidades nos mercados atacadistas, sendo caracterizado pelo elevado teor de umidade e de compostos orgânicos voláteis, o que causa efeitos negativos nos sistemas tradicionais de destinação dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. A codigestão de dejetos suínos e resíduos orgânicos vem sendo amplamente estudada, com melhorias na degradação dos substratos em digestão e, consequentemente, dos rendimentos de biogás. Assim, neste trabalho, avaliou-se o desempenho da codigestão de dejetos de suínos e crescentes níveis de resíduos de hortifrúti, utilizando-se um delineamento fatorial de experimentos 2³ (3 fatores, 2 níveis) seguido de modelagem matemática para descrever o volume de metano acumulado durante o bioprocesso. Para a realização dos ensaios, foram preparadas misturas de substratos compostas por dejeto líquido suíno e resíduo de hortifruti nas relações 4:1, 2,5:1 e 1:1, as quais foram inoculadas e digeridas em frascos batelada por tempos de retenção hidráulica de 20 a 30 dias e temperaturas de 35 a 45°C. Os maiores rendimentos foram de 455,47 e 442,37 NmL CH4/g SVT e ocorreram nos ensaios com relação DLS:RH de 2,5:1 e 1:1, respectivamente. A relação DLS:RH foi significante para o acúmulo de metano durant... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Swine production reached high levels of productivity through the use of technology, resulting in higher generation of swine manure (SM) with great potential for ground water contamination. Fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) are produced in large quantities in wholesale markets, characterized by high moisture content and volatile organic compounds, causing negative effects in the traditional systems of municipal solid waste disposal. The codigestion of swine manure and organic wastes has been widely explored, with improvements in the degradation of the substrates in digestion and, consequently, of the biogas yields. Thus, in this work, the performance of the codigestion of SM and increasing levels of FVW were evaluated using a factorial design of experiments 2³ (3 factors; 2 levels) followed by mathematical modelling to describe the volume of methane accumulated during the bioprocess. In order to carry out the assays, mixtures of substrates composed of SM and FVW were prepared in the ratios 4:1, 2,5:1 e 1:1, which were inoculated and digested in batches with hydraulic retention times of 20 to 30 days and temperatures of 35 to 45 °C. The maximum yields were 455.47 and 442.37 NmL CH4 / g VS and occurred in assays with 2.5:1 and 1:1 SM:FVW ratios, respectively. The SM:FVW ratio was significant for the accumulation of methane during the process, while the hydraulic retention time was not significant at a 95% confidence level. The temperature was marginally significant, with a higher ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Em muitas Estações de Tratamento de Esgoto Sanitário (ETE) no Brasil, reatores anaeróbios de manta de lodo (UASB) têm sido utilizados para tratamento de esgoto doméstico, embora apresentem baixa eficiência de remoção de demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) e alta quantidade de sólidos no efluente para esse substrato. Ademais, a digestão anaeróbia do esgoto sanitário em reatores UASB tem apresentado baixa produção do biogás, em razão da baixa concentração de matéria orgânica no afluente. No entanto, a produção de biogás pode ser aumentada pelo processo de codigestão anaeróbia, com a adição de um cossubstrato para aumentar a concentração inicial de matéria orgânica. O glicerol tem se destacado como cossubstrato de elevado potencial de geração de metano devido à sua alta concentração de matéria orgânica prontamente biodegradável. Nesse trabalho foi avaliada a possibilidade de utilização do potencial de produção de metano de reatores UASB já instalados no Brasil, por meio da adição de glicerol ao esgoto afluente. A pesquisa foi realizada em duas etapas, usando reatores UASB híbrido, com volumes de 24,75 L na primeira etapa, e 1,46 L na segunda etapa. Os reatores alimentados com esgoto sanitário e efluente de reator UASB, respectivamente, mantendo-se o tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) constante em 8 horas e variando-se a dosagem de glicerol afluente. A melhor fase de operação considerando eficiência de remoção de DQO, produção de metano e estabilidade do sistema biológico, foi operada com COV de 2,09 ± 0,22 kgDQO.m-3.d-1 e rendimento de metano de 75 ± 68 mLCH4.gDQOremovida-1. / In many sewage treatment plants in Brazil, up-flow sludge blanket (UASB) reactors have been used to treat domestic sewage, although they have a low removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and high amount of solids in the effluent for this substrate. In addition, most of the installed UASB reactors has presented small biogas production due to the low influent organic matter concentration. However, biogas production can be increased by the anaerobic codigestion process, by adding a co-substrate to increase the influent organic matter concentration. Glycerol has been highlighted as a co-substrate for high methane generation potential due to its high concentration of readily biodegradable organic matter. It is intended to evaluate the possibility of using the methane production potential of UASB reactors already installed in Brazil, through the addition of glycerol to the influent sewage. The research was conducted in two stages, using UASB hybrid reactors, with volumes of 24.75 L in the first stage, and 1.46 L in the second stage. They were fed with sanitary sewage and UASB reactor effluent, respectively, maintaining the hydraulic holding time (TDH) constant at 8 hours and varying the dosage of affluent glycerol. The best phase of operation considering COD removal efficiency, methane production and biological system stability was operated with OLR of 2.09 ± 0.22 kg CODm-3.d-1 and methane yield of 75 ± 68 mLCH4.gCODremoved-1.

<p>In the semi-enclosed Baltic Sea, excessive filamentous macro-algal biomass growth as a result of eutrophication is an increasing environmental problem. Drifting huge masses of red algae of the genera <em>Polysiphonia</em>, <em>Rhodomela</em>, and <em>Ceramium</em> accumulate on the open shore, up to five tones of algae per meter beach. During the aerobic decomposition of these algal bodies, large quantities of red colored effluents leak into the water what are toxic for the marine environment. In this study, feasibility of anaerobic conversion of red algae <em>Polysiphonia</em>, rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, was investigated. Biogas and methane potential of <em>Polysiphonia</em>, harvested in two different seasons [October and March], was investigated through three different batch digestion experiments and laboratory scale CSTR [continuous stirred tank reactor] at mesophilic (37^oC) condition. Autoclavation [steam and heat] and ultrasound pretreatments were applied in order to enhance the biodegradation. In STR, anaerobic codigestion of algal biomass with SS [sewage sludge] was applied with a gradual increase in organic loading rate [1.5-4.0 g VS/L/day] and operated for 117 days at 20days HRT [hydraulic retention time]. Reactor digestate was analyzed four times over the period to determine the nutrients and heavy metals content. It is concluded that the methane potential of algae harvested in October is almost two-fold than that of algae harvested in March, probably due to it’s higher [more than double] nitrogen richness. An increase in biogas yield was observed upto 28% and VS reduction was increased from 37% to 45% due to autoclave pretreatment. Ultrasound pretreatment had no effect on digestion. In batch digestion, maximum methane yield 0.25 m³/kg VS added at 273^oK, was obtained from algae [harvested in October] pretreated in autoclave. Codigestion of algae with SS worked well in STR with a comparatively lower OLR. At a higher OLR, methanogens were inhibited due to increased VFAs accumulation and decreased pH. A maximum biogas yield 0.49 m³/kg VS added at 310^oK , was obtained from algae [harvested in October] pretreated with autoclave. The methane content of the produced biogas was 54%. Average [over a short period, day 99-107, reactor showed steady performance] maximum biogas yields from untreated algae obtained 0.44 m3/kg VSadded at 310^oK and the VS reduction was calculated 32%. Digestate, to be used as a fertilizer, was found NH₄-N, N, P, K, S and Na rich and only Cadmium level was above the maximal limit among the heavy metals. The sand content in algae during harvesting was considered as a factor to disrupt the operation. Codigestion of <em>Polysiphonia</em> algal biomass with substrate with higher C:N ratio like paper mill waste should be more appropriate to increase the methane and biogas yield. It is inconclusive whether AD process is a good method to dewater redalgae or not but large scale harvesting of algae will definitely contribute to curb eutrophication of the Baltic Sea through decreasing N and P level.</p>

In the semi-enclosed Baltic Sea, excessive filamentous macro-algal biomass growth as a result of eutrophication is an increasing environmental problem. Drifting huge masses of red algae of the genera Polysiphonia, Rhodomela, and Ceramium accumulate on the open shore, up to five tones of algae per meter beach. During the aerobic decomposition of these algal bodies, large quantities of red colored effluents leak into the water what are toxic for the marine environment. In this study, feasibility of anaerobic conversion of red algae Polysiphonia, rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, was investigated. Biogas and methane potential of Polysiphonia, harvested in two different seasons [October and March], was investigated through three different batch digestion experiments and laboratory scale CSTR [continuous stirred tank reactor] at mesophilic (37oC) condition. Autoclavation [steam and heat] and ultrasound pretreatments were applied in order to enhance the biodegradation. In STR, anaerobic codigestion of algal biomass with SS [sewage sludge] was applied with a gradual increase in organic loading rate [1.5-4.0 g VS/L/day] and operated for 117 days at 20days HRT [hydraulic retention time]. Reactor digestate was analyzed four times over the period to determine the nutrients and heavy metals content. It is concluded that the methane potential of algae harvested in October is almost two-fold than that of algae harvested in March, probably due to it’s higher [more than double] nitrogen richness. An increase in biogas yield was observed upto 28% and VS reduction was increased from 37% to 45% due to autoclave pretreatment. Ultrasound pretreatment had no effect on digestion. In batch digestion, maximum methane yield 0.25 m3/kg VS added at 273oK, was obtained from algae [harvested in October] pretreated in autoclave. Codigestion of algae with SS worked well in STR with a comparatively lower OLR. At a higher OLR, methanogens were inhibited due to increased VFAs accumulation and decreased pH. A maximum biogas yield 0.49 m3/kg VS added at 310oK , was obtained from algae [harvested in October] pretreated with autoclave. The methane content of the produced biogas was 54%. Average [over a short period, day 99-107, reactor showed steady performance] maximum biogas yields from untreated algae obtained 0.44 m3/kg VSadded at 310oK and the VS reduction was calculated 32%. Digestate, to be used as a fertilizer, was found NH4-N, N, P, K, S and Na rich and only Cadmium level was above the maximal limit among the heavy metals. The sand content in algae during harvesting was considered as a factor to disrupt the operation. Codigestion of Polysiphonia algal biomass with substrate with higher C:N ratio like paper mill waste should be more appropriate to increase the methane and biogas yield. It is inconclusive whether AD process is a good method to dewater redalgae or not but large scale harvesting of algae will definitely contribute to curb eutrophication of the Baltic Sea through decreasing N and P level.