Enhanced co-digestion of sewage sludge and food waste using novel electrochemical anaerobic membrane bioreactor (EC-AnMBR). (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhen, Guangyin; Pan, Yang; Han, Yule; Gao, Yijing; Ibrahim Gadow, Samir; Zhu, Xuefeng; Yang, Liying; Lu, Xueqin
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 377(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion -- Biogas recovery -- Electrochemical regulation -- Membrane fouling -- Microbial community; AnMBR Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor -- EC-AnMBR Electrochemical Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor -- SS Sewage Sludge -- FW Food Waste -- EPS Extracellular Polymeric Substances -- TMP transmembrane Pressure; 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.2023.128939
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Electrochemical membrane reactor was designed to co-digest sludge and food waste. Functional electroactive microorganisms were proliferated on bioelectrodes. Robust synergy of various microorganisms improved anaerobic co-digestion. 2.76-time increase in methane production was obtained in the optimized conditions. Electrostatic repulsion and electrochemical oxidation mitigated membrane fouling. Abstract: Membrane fouling remains a big challenge hindering the wide-application of anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology. In this study, an electrochemical anaerobic membrane bioreactor (EC-AnMBR) was developed by coupling electrochemical regulation to enhance co-digestion of sewage sludge and food waste and mitigate membrane fouling. The highest methane production (0.12 ± 0.02 L/Lreactor /day) and net energy recovery (31.82 kJ/day) were achieved under the optimum conditions of 0.8 V, hydraulic retention time of 10 days and solids retention time of 50 days. Electrochemical regulation accelerated the mineralization of high-molecular-weight organics and reinforced the membrane antifouling ability by inducing electrostatic repulsive force and electrochemical oxidation. Besides, symbiotic relationships among functional microorganisms ( Spirochaetes, Methanolinea, etc.) were enhanced, improving the hydrolysis and methanogenesis processes of complex organics and the long-term stability. This study confirms the technical feasibility of EC-AnMBR in treating high-solid biowastes, and provides the fundamental data to support its application in real-world scenarios.