Enhancement of biogas production in anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and waste activated sludge by biological co-pretreatment. (15th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Jingxin; Li, Wangliang; Lee, Jonathan; Loh, Kai-Chee; Dai, Yanjun; Tong, Yen Wah
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 137(2017)
• Page Start: 479
• Page End: 486
• Publication Date: 2017-10-15
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion -- Biological co-pretreatment -- Waste activated sludge -- Food waste -- Microbial community; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.02.163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: The effects of biological co-pretreatment on biogas production from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste (FW) and waste activated sludge (WAS) were investigated. FW and WAS underwent anaerobic co-pretreatment to improve hydrolysis efficiency followed by co-digestion. Results showed that the methane yield from co-digestion of co-pretreated FW and WAS was 24.6% higher than that of control substrates without pretreatment. An increase of 10.1% in solids reduction was achieved in the anaerobic digester under the optimum pretreatment time of 24 h. Compared to mono-digestion of FW with pretreatment, the combination of anaerobic co-digestion and co-pretreatment of FW and WAS resulted in a higher treatment performance and methane production due to synergistic effects of pH amendment and enhancement of WAS particles solubilization. Pyrosequencing analysis indicated that anaerobic co-pretreatment reduced the abundance of filamentous bacteria of genus Levilinea in the subsequent co-digestion, which was liable to cause a decrease in anaerobic digestion performance. Highlights: A novel biological co-pretreatment method was developed for enhancing anaerobic co-digestion. Hydrolysis and acidogenesis of food waste and waste activated sludge was enhanced simultaneously. CH4 yields increased 25% by anaerobic co-pretreatment of food waste and waste activated sludge. 10.1% more solid reduction was achieved in anaerobic co-digestion by co-pretreatment.