Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) scale-up from laboratory to pilot-scale for microalgae and primary sludge co-digestion: Biological and filtration assessment. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Serna-García, R.; Mora-Sánchez, J.F.; Sanchis-Perucho, P.; Bouzas, A.; Seco, A.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 316(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) -- Anaerobic co-digestion (ACoD) -- Microalgae -- Membrane -- Methane; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123930
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Microalgae and primary sludge co-digestion at 35 °C showed high biodegradation (65%). Same biodegradability was observed when digesting Chlorella or Scenedesmus. Higher annual costs were found operating at 100 d SRT compared to 70 d. 5.5-fold increase in energetic demand was found operating at 55 °C compared to 35 °C. No fouling formation was observed when applying gas sparging and backwashing. Abstract: This research work proposes the scale-up evaluation in terms of biological and filtration performance from laboratory to pilot-scale of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) co-digesting raw microalgae and primary sludge. Best operating conditions for this scale-up were energetically and economically assessed based on laboratory results. Economic balance showed 3% higher annual costs when operating a reactor at 100 d solids retention time (SRT) compared to 70 d SRT. Energetic balance showed a 5.5-fold increase in heat demand working at thermophilic temperature comparing to mesophilic. The AnMBR operating conditions were set at 70 d SRT and 35 °C. The pilot-scale and lab-scale co-digesters performed similarly in terms of biogas production and system stability. 154 mLbiogas·d −1 ·L −1 reactor were produced at pilot-scale, corresponding to methane yield of 215 mLCH4 ·gCODinf −1 . AnMBR filtration at both laboratory and pilot-scale showed stability working at permeate fluxes of 4.2–5.8 L·m −2 ·h −1 .