scholarly journals Methodological Approaches to Optimising Anaerobic Digestion of Water Hyacinth for Energy Efficiency in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6746
Author(s):  
Obianuju Patience Ilo ◽  
Mulala Danny Simatele ◽  
S’phumelele Lucky Nkomo ◽  
Ntandoyenkosi Malusi Mkhize ◽  
Nagendra Gopinath Prabhu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Water Hyacinth ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Methodological Approaches

Anaerobic digestion has been identified as a feasible fragment of a bioeconomy, yet numerous factors hinder the adoption of the technology in South Africa. Apart from its energy recovery, other nonmarket advantages support the technology. Though it may be challenging to have a price tag, they provide clear added worth for such investments. With a growing energy demand and global energy transitions, there is a need to sustainably commercialise the biogas industry in South Africa. Most studies are at laboratory scale and under specific conditions, which invariably create gaps in using their data for commercialising the biogas technology. The key to recognising these gaps depends on knowing the crucial technical phases that have the utmost outcome on the economics of biogas production. This study is a meta-analysis of the optimisation of anaerobic digestion through methodological approaches aimed at enhancing the production of biogas. This review, therefore, argues that regulating the fundamental operational parameters, understanding the microbial community’s interactions, and modelling the anaerobic processes are vital indicators for improving the process stability and methane yield for the commercialisation of the technology. It further argues that South Africa can exploit water hyacinth as a substrate for a self-sufficient biogas production system in a bid to mitigate the invasive alien plants.

Enhanced anaerobic digestion as a sanitation and energy recovery technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 572-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Garoma ◽  
C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Volatile Solids

The potential for using an enhanced anaerobic digestion (AD) process as a sanitation and energy recovery technology for communities that lack access to basic sanitation was evaluated. For the enhanced AD system to generate a reliable supply of biogas, so that it can be adopted and self-sustained by the community, the use of algal biomass as a supplementary feedstock was evaluated. In addition, the effects of operational parameters on waste mineralization and biogas production were investigated. The results show that the system has the potential to be developed into an effective waste treatment technology, and it has produced high biogas yields and digested waste low in fecal bacteria and high in nutrients. Reductions of 42 to 51% in volatile solids and 29 to 45% in chemical oxygen demand were achieved at 35 °C. On average, total coliform and fecal coliform concentrations of 7.6 × 105 and 1.4 × 104 CFU per gram of total solids, respectively, were measured in the digested waste. The total nitrogen and phosphorus content of the residual was determined to be in the range of 9–17% as N and 3–7% as P (7–16% as P2O5). The biogas yields varied in the range of 0.47–0.57 mL per mg of volatile solids digested.

scholarly journals Biogas potential of organic waste onboard cruise ships — a yet untapped energy source

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Schumüller ◽  
Dirk Weichgrebe ◽  
Stephan Köster
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Yield ◽  
Cruise Ships ◽  
Detailed Presentation

AbstractTo tap the organic waste generated onboard cruise ships is a very promising approach to reduce their adverse impact on the maritime environment. Biogas produced by means of onboard anaerobic digestion offers a complementary energy source for ships’ operation. This report comprises a detailed presentation of the results gained from comprehensive investigations on the gas yield from onboard substrates such as food waste, sewage sludge and screening solids. Each person onboard generates a total average of about 9 kg of organic waste per day. The performed analyses of substrates and anaerobic digestion tests revealed an accumulated methane yield of around 159 L per person per day. The anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge and food waste (50:50 VS) emerged as particularly effective and led to an increased biogas yield by 24%, compared to the mono-fermentation. In the best case, onboard biogas production can provide an energetic output of 82 W/P, on average covering 3.3 to 4.1% of the total energy demand of a cruise ship.

scholarly journals Enhancing Anaerobic Digestion: The Effect of Carbon Conductive Materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith González ◽  
Marta Sánchez ◽  
Xiomar Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Global Energy ◽  
Conductive Materials ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Interesting Approach ◽  
Feasible Alternative

Anaerobic digestion is a well-known technology which has been extensively studied to improve its performance and yield biogas from substrates. The application of different types of pre-treatments has led to an increase in biogas production but also in global energy demand. However, in recent years the use of carbon conductive materials as supplement for this process has been studied resulting in an interesting way for improving the performance of anaerobic digestion without greatly affecting its energy demand. This review offers an introduction to this interesting approach and covers the different experiences performed on the use of carbon conductive materials proposing it as a feasible alternative for the production of energy from biomass, considering also the integration of anaerobic digestion and thermal valorisation.

scholarly journals Operational Parameters of Biogas Plants: A Review and Evaluation Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Nsair ◽  
Senem Onen Cinar ◽  
Ayah Alassali ◽  
Hani Abu Qdais ◽  
Kerstin Kuchta
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Digestion Process ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Main Factors

The biogas production technology has improved over the last years for the aim of reducing the costs of the process, increasing the biogas yields, and minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions. To obtain a stable and efficient biogas production, there are several design considerations and operational parameters to be taken into account. Besides, adapting the process to unanticipated conditions can be achieved by adequate monitoring of various operational parameters. This paper reviews the research that has been conducted over the last years. This review paper summarizes the developments in biogas design and operation, while highlighting the main factors that affect the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process. The study’s outcomes revealed that the optimum operational values of the main parameters may vary from one biogas plant to another. Additionally, the negative conditions that should be avoided while operating a biogas plant were identified.

scholarly journals Biogas Potential from the Anaerobic Digestion of Potato Peels: Process Performance and Kinetics Evaluation

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyridon Achinas ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
Vasileios Achinas ◽  
Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Methane Yield ◽  
Cow Manure ◽  
Potato Peel ◽  
Potato Peels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Kinetics Of

This article intends to promote the usage of potato peels as efficient substrate for the anaerobic digestion process for energy recovery and waste abatement. This study examined the performance of anaerobic digestion of potato peels in different inoculum-to-substrate ratios. In addition, the impact of combined treatment with cow manure and pretreatment of potato peels was examined. It was found that co-digestion of potato peel waste and cow manure yielded up to 237.4 mL CH4/g VSadded, whereas the maximum methane yield from the mono-digestion of potato peels was 217.8 mL CH4/g VSadded. Comparing the co-digestion to mono-digestion of potato peels, co-digestion in PPW/CM ratio of 60:40 increased the methane yield by 10%. In addition, grinding and acid hydrolysis applied to potato peels were positively effective in increasing the methane amount reaching 260.3 and 283.4 mL CH4/g VSadded respectively. Likewise, compared to untreated potato peels, pretreatment led to an elevation of the methane amount by 9% and 17% respectively and alleviated the kinetics of biogas production.

scholarly journals Pretreatment of Animal Manure Biomass to Improve Biogas Production: A Review

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meneses-Quelal Orlando ◽  
Velázquez-Martí Borja
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Methane Yield ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Chemical Pretreatments

The objective of this research is to present a review of the current technologies and pretreatments used in the fermentation of cow, pig and poultry manure. Pretreatment techniques were classified into physical, chemical, physicochemical, and biological groups. Various aspects of these different pretreatment approaches are discussed in this review. The advantages and disadvantages of its applicability are highlighted since the effects of pretreatments are complex and generally depend on the characteristics of the animal manure and the operational parameters. Biological pretreatments were shown to improve methane production from animal manure by 74%, chemical pretreatments by 45%, heat pretreatments by 41% and physical pretreatments by 30%. In general, pretreatments improve anaerobic digestion of the lignocellulosic content of animal manure and, therefore, increase methane yield.

scholarly journals Compositional Assessment of Selected Plant-based Substrates for Biogas Production

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ugwu Tochukwu Nicholas ◽  
Nwachukwu Augusta Anuli ◽  
Ogbulie Toochukwu Ekwutosi ◽  
Anyalogbu Ernest Anayochukwu
Keyword(s):  
Rice Straw ◽  
Water Hyacinth ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Corn Cob ◽  
Biogas Yield ◽  
Corn Cobs

Enormous quantities of plant biomass are generated annually, as agricultural wastes. Lignocellulose is the main structural constituent of plants and represents the primary source of renewable organic matter on earth. This study was carried out to evaluate the lignocellulose composition, proximate and selected physicochemical characteristics of some selected plant-based substrates for biogas production. The substrates were: Corn cobs, Rice straw and Water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes). They were collected, cut, dried for 72 hours at 320C, milled and subjected to hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose compositional analyses, using the standard Sox let extraction method. Standard methods were employed for proximate and physicochemical analyses. Results of the compositional evaluation showed that corn cob has the highest percentages of cellulose (42.0%), while extractives content was least (2.18%) in Rice straw. For the proximate analysis, the percentage carbohydrates (24.22) and ash (24.40) were highest in rice straw, while fat content  had the least values of 0.65%  recorded in corn cobs. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that Rice straw had the highest values of TS (94.55%) and phosphorus (928.57mg/kg), Corn cob had the highest TVS (85.53%) and organic carbon (50.46%) while Water hyacinth recorded the highest Nitrogen content (2.33%). They are good substrates for energy generation, and lignocellulosic biomass holds a huge potential to meet the current energy demand of the modern world. The knowledge of the lignocellulosic composition of the biomass would help in choosing appropriate pretreatment measures to achieve better hydrolysis which would translate to higher biogas yield.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Coupling Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Analyzing Thermal Demand

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 11660
Author(s):  
Rubén González ◽  
Marcos Ellacuriaga ◽  
Alby Aguilar-Pesantes ◽  
Daniela Carrillo-Peña ◽  
José García-Cascallana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Biological Process ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Pre Treatment

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process with wide application for the treatment of high organic-containing streams. The production of biogas and the lack of oxygen requirements are the main energetic advantages of this process. However, the digested stream may not readily find a final disposal outlet under certain circumstances. The present manuscript analyzed the feasibility of valorizing digestate by the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process. A hypothetical plant treating cattle manure and cheese whey as co-substrate (25% v/w, wet weight) was studied. The global performance was evaluated using available data reported in the literature. The best configuration was digestion as a first stage with the subsequent treatment of digestate in an HTC unit. The treatment of manure as sole substrate reported a value of 752 m3/d of biogas which could be increased to 1076 m3/d (43% increase) when coupling an HTC unit for digestate post-treatment and the introduction of the co-substrate. However, the high energy demand of the combined configurations indicated, as the best alternative, the valorization of just a fraction (15%) of digestate to provide the benefits of enhancing biogas production. This configuration presented a much better energy performance than the thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment of manure. The increase in biogas production does not compensate for the high energy demand of the pre-treatment unit. However, several technical factors still need further research to make this alternative a reality, as it is the handling and pumping of high solid slurries that significantly affects the energy demand of the thermal treatment units and the possible toxicity of hydrochar when used in a biological process.

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