Anaerobic co-digestion of residual glycerol with sanitary sewage in a pilot scale hybrid reactor aiming at optimization of biogas production

• Grant number: 17/22476-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: February 01, 2018
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Eugenio Foresti
• Grantee: Caroline de Cassia Banci Garcia
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Anaerobic reactors are used to treat the most diverse types of effluents, such as domestic sewage and industrial wastewater. In Brazil, many sewage treatment plants operate using UASB reactors. These reactors have low efficiency chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and high amount of solids in the effluent. The performance of the biological wastewater treatment system can be improved by maintaining a high concentration of active biomass in the system, obtained by immobilization of the microbial community. Since hybrid reactors combine advantages of UASB and fixed bed reactors while minimizing their limitations, the performance of hybrid reactors treating sanitary sewage is better than other treatment systems. Methane produced from the anaerobic digestion of sanitary sewage, has not been used mainly because of the gas production, due to the low concentration of organic matter. However, biogas production can be increased by the anaerobic co-digestion process, which has emerged as an effective alternative to biogas production and optimization, and correct environmental destination for various wastes. Glycerol has been highlighted as co-substrate of method generation potential due to its readily biodegradable high organic concentration. In order to make feasible a biogas production for the use of the energy potential, a hybrid reactor fed with sanitary sewage, operated with hydraulic holding time of 8 hours, will be supplemented with glycerol. Thus, the present study intends to collaborate with bases for a reduction of disposed residues in the environment and use of the energy potential in existing sewage treatment plants. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

GARCIA, Caroline de Cassia Banci. Anaerobic co-digestion of residual glycerol with sanitary sewage in a pilot scale hybrid reactor aiming at enhancement of biogas production. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD) São Carlos.