A fuzzy-logic-based controller for methane production in anaerobic fixed-film reactors. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robles, A.; Latrille, E.; Ruano, M. V.; Steyer, J. P.
• Is Part Of: Environmental technology. Volume 38:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Anaerobic fixed-bed reactor -- fuzzy-logic control -- methane -- pilot scale -- winery wastewater; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; 628.05
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2016.1184321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3330

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The main objective of this work was to develop a controller for biogas production in continuous anaerobic fixed-bed reactors, which used effluent total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration as control input in order to prevent process acidification at closed loop. To this aim, a fuzzy-logic-based control system was developed, tuned and validated in an anaerobic fixed-bed reactor at pilot scale that treated industrial winery wastewater. The proposed controller varied the flow rate of wastewater entering the system as a function of the gaseous outflow rate of methane and VFA concentration. Simulation results show that the proposed controller is capable to achieve great process stability even when operating at high VFA concentrations. Pilot results showed the potential of this control approach to maintain the process working properly under similar conditions to the ones expected at full-scale plants.