Co-digestion of glycerin and whey in AnSBBR for biohydrogen and biomethane production

Author(s)

Giovanna Lovato

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2018-02-23

Examining board members

José Alberto Domingues Rodrigues; Sérgio Francisco de Aquino; Ronan Cleber Contrera; Leonardo Henrique Soares Damasceno; Edson Luiz Silva

• Advisor: José Alberto Domingues Rodrigues

Abstract

The current research evaluated an anaerobic reactor, operated in batch or fed-batch mode, containing immobilized biomass in inert support and with recirculation of the liquid phase (AnSBBR), applied to the production of biohydrogen co-digesting glycerin (effluent from biodiesel production process) and whey (effluent from dairy industry). Stability, performance (regarding productivity and molar hydrogen yield) and conversion factor (between biogas produced and organic matter consumed) were analyzed according to the percentage of each substrate fed to the system, organic loading rate, filling time and temperature (20, 25, 30 and 35ºC). Assays were carried out using different substrates proportions and organic loading rates (10.3; 17.1 and 24.0 gCOD.L-1.d-1), which have been modified in function of: (i) influent concentration (3, 5 and 7 gCOD.L-1) and (ii) cycle length (4, 3 and 2 h, i.e. 6, 8 and 12 cycles daily). Assays were also carried out aiming for biomethane production using the proposed co-digestion (with AVOL of 7.6 gDQO.L-1.d-1) with different proportions of substrate mixture. For biomethane production, the assay conducted with 75% whey and 25% glycerin (COD basis) obtained the best results: molar productivity of 101.8 molCH4.m-3.d-1 and yield per applied load of 13.3 molCH4. kgCOD-1; which is an increase in productivity of about 9% and 30% when compared with the anaerobic mono-digestion of whey and glycerin, respectively. Methane production in this assay came mainly from the hydrogenotrophic route. For biohydrogen production, the highest productivity and yield were achieved in the assay operated with 75% whey and 25% glycerin, with 7 gCOD.L-1 of influent concentration, 3 h of cycle time and filling time of 1.5 h (fed batch mode - AVOL of 23.9 kgCOD.m-3.d-1), at 30°C: a molar productivity of 129.0 molH2.m-3.d-1 and yield of 5.4 molH2.kgCOD-1 were obtained. These results represent a productivity increase of 145% in relation to whey mono-digestion at its initial condition, which indicates the significant benefit of glycerin addition to the influent, probably due to its buffering capacity, and improvement of operational conditions. The addition of glycerin and the increase in AVOL balanced the hydrogen production routes, since hydrogen was produced similarly by the acetic, butyric and valeric acid routes. The characterization of the microbial consortium of this assay indicated that the microbial community present in the AnSBBR was dominated by Ethanoligenens and Megasphaera. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/07692-8 - Co-digestion of glycerin and whey in AnSBBR for biohydrogen and biomethane production
• Grantee: Giovanna Lovato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate