Optimization of Thermal Pre-treatment Temperature and Time and Material Concentration to Maximize Methane Production in Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Waste

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ferdowsi Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Department of Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering Faculty Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Anaerobic digestion of municipal organic waste faces numerous challenges. This process is often lengthy, requires a large reactor volume and produces insufficient methane to supply the process energy need, as well as uncertain digestate to be utilized in farmlands. Thermal pretreatment sometimes can be considered as an efficient method to address these problems. Many researchers, on the other hand, suggest that applying high temperature thermal pretreatment for easily biodegradable organics such as food waste will result in reduced methane production. In the current study, the contribution of the independent variables, including pretreatment temperature at 70, 90 and 110 ̊C, pretreatment duration of 30, 75 and 120 minutes as well as the digestible concentration at 8, 12 and 16% to methane production were considered. To optimize the aforementioned variables, modeling was conducted using Box-Behnken design followed by Genetic Algorithm to find the optimal quantities for mentioned parameters. The results of Genetic Algorithm revealed that the optimum pretreatment temperature and time and organic concentration to achieve the highest amount of methane from anaerobic digestion of organic waste would be 96 ̊C, 95 minutes and 12%. The predicted amount of methane applying the optimal conditions of temperature and pretreatment time and solid content resulting from Genetic Algorithm was 354 mL per gram of volatile solids. This value was in a good agreement with the actual amount of methane obtained applying these pretreatment conditions to organic wastes (354  ±4.58).
 

Keywords

References

American Public Health Association (APHA). (2012). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 22. Washington DC (USA): American Public Health Association/American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation.
Angelidaki, I., Alves, M., Bolzonella, D., Borzacconi, L., Campos, J. L., Guwy, A. J., Kalyuzhnyi, S., Jenicek, P., and Van Lier, J. B. (2009). Defining the biomethane potential (BMP) of solid organic wastes and energy crops: a proposed protocol for batch assays. Water science and technology. 59(5): 927-934.
Ariunbaatar, J., Panico, A., Frunzo, L., Esposito, G., Lens, P. N.,, and Pirozzi, F. (2014). Enhanced anaerobic digestion of food waste by thermal and ozonation pretreatment methods. Journal of environmental management. 146: 142-149.
Barjenbruch, M., & Kopplow, O. (2003). Enzymatic, mechanical and thermal pre-treatment of surplus sludge. Advances in Environmental Research. 7(3): 715-720.
Chynoweth, D.P., Owens, J.M., and Legrand, R. (2001). Renewable methane from anaerobic digestion of biomass. Renewable energy. 22(1-3): 1-8.
Climent, M., Ferrer, I., del Mar Baeza, M., Artola, A., Vázquez, F., and Font, X. (2007). Effects of thermal and mechanical pretreatments of secondary sludge on biogas production under thermophilic conditions. Chemical Engineering Journal.133(1-3): 335-342.
Gupta, P., Singh, R.S., Sachan, A., Vidyarthi, A.S., and Gupta, A. (2012). A re-appraisal on intensification of biogas production. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(7): 4908-4916.
Liu, X., Wang, W., Gao, X., Zhou, Y., and Shen, R. (2012). Effect of thermal pretreatment on the physical and chemical properties of municipal biomass waste. Waste Management. 32(2): 249-255.
Ma, J., Duong, T. H., Smits, M., Verstraete, W., and Carballa, M. (2011). Enhanced biomethanation of kitchen waste by different pre-treatments. Bioresource technology. 102(2): 592-599.
Maghanaki, M.M., Ghobadian, B., Najafi, G., and Galogah, R.J. (2013). Potential of biogas production in Iran. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 28:702-714.
McLeod, J. D., Othman, M. Z., Beale, D. J., and Joshi, D. (2015). The use of laboratory scale reactors to predict sensitivity to changes in operating conditions for full-scale anaerobic digestion treating municipal sewage sludge. Bioresource technology. 189: 384-390.
Neyens, E., and Baeyens, J. (2003). A review of thermal sludge pre-treatment processes to improve dewaterability Journal of hazardous materials. 98(1-3): 51-67.
Pérez-Elvira, S., Fdz-Polanco, M., Plaza, F. I., Garralón, G., & Fdz-Polanco, F. (2009). Ultrasound pre-treatment for anaerobic digestion improvement. Water Science and Technology. 60(6): 1525-1532.
Prorot, A., Julien, L., Christophe, D., and Patrick, L. (2011). Sludge disintegration during heat treatment at low temperature: a better understanding of involved mechanisms with a multiparametric approach. Biochemical engineering journal. 54(3): 178-184.
Rafique, R., Poulsen, T. G., Nizami, A. S., Murphy, J. D., and Kiely, G. (2010). Effect of thermal, chemical and thermo-chemical pre-treatments to enhance methane production. Energy, 35(12): 4556-4561.
Raposo, F., De la Rubia, M. A., Fernández-Cegrí V., and Borja, R. (2012). Anaerobic digestion of solid organic substrates in batch mode: an overview relating to methane yields and experimental procedures. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(1): 861-877.
Saxena, R. C., Adhikari, D. K., and Goyal, H. B. (2009). Biomass-based energy fuel through biochemical routes: A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. 13(1): 167-178.
Scherzinger, M., and Kaltschmitt, M. (2021). Thermal pre-treatment options to enhance anaerobic digestibility – A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. 137: 110627.
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
American Public Health Association (APHA). (2012). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 22. Washington DC (USA): American Public Health Association/American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation.
Angelidaki, I., Alves, M., Bolzonella, D., Borzacconi, L., Campos, J. L., Guwy, A. J., Kalyuzhnyi, S., Jenicek, P., and Van Lier, J. B. (2009). Defining the biomethane potential (BMP) of solid organic wastes and energy crops: a proposed protocol for batch assays. Water science and technology. 59(5): 927-934.
Ariunbaatar, J., Panico, A., Frunzo, L., Esposito, G., Lens, P. N.,, and Pirozzi, F. (2014). Enhanced anaerobic digestion of food waste by thermal and ozonation pretreatment methods. Journal of environmental management. 146: 142-149.
Barjenbruch, M., & Kopplow, O. (2003). Enzymatic, mechanical and thermal pre-treatment of surplus sludge. Advances in Environmental Research. 7(3): 715-720.
Chynoweth, D.P., Owens, J.M., and Legrand, R. (2001). Renewable methane from anaerobic digestion of biomass. Renewable energy. 22(1-3): 1-8.
Climent, M., Ferrer, I., del Mar Baeza, M., Artola, A., Vázquez, F., and Font, X. (2007). Effects of thermal and mechanical pretreatments of secondary sludge on biogas production under thermophilic conditions. Chemical Engineering Journal.133(1-3): 335-342.
Gupta, P., Singh, R.S., Sachan, A., Vidyarthi, A.S., and Gupta, A. (2012). A re-appraisal on intensification of biogas production. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(7): 4908-4916.
Liu, X., Wang, W., Gao, X., Zhou, Y., and Shen, R. (2012). Effect of thermal pretreatment on the physical and chemical properties of municipal biomass waste. Waste Management. 32(2): 249-255.
Ma, J., Duong, T. H., Smits, M., Verstraete, W., and Carballa, M. (2011). Enhanced biomethanation of kitchen waste by different pre-treatments. Bioresource technology. 102(2): 592-599.
Maghanaki, M.M., Ghobadian, B., Najafi, G., and Galogah, R.J. (2013). Potential of biogas production in Iran. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 28:702-714.
McLeod, J. D., Othman, M. Z., Beale, D. J., and Joshi, D. (2015). The use of laboratory scale reactors to predict sensitivity to changes in operating conditions for full-scale anaerobic digestion treating municipal sewage sludge. Bioresource technology. 189: 384-390.
Neyens, E., and Baeyens, J. (2003). A review of thermal sludge pre-treatment processes to improve dewaterability Journal of hazardous materials. 98(1-3): 51-67.
Pérez-Elvira, S., Fdz-Polanco, M., Plaza, F. I., Garralón, G., & Fdz-Polanco, F. (2009). Ultrasound pre-treatment for anaerobic digestion improvement. Water Science and Technology. 60(6): 1525-1532.
Prorot, A., Julien, L., Christophe, D., and Patrick, L. (2011). Sludge disintegration during heat treatment at low temperature: a better understanding of involved mechanisms with a multiparametric approach. Biochemical engineering journal. 54(3): 178-184.
Rafique, R., Poulsen, T. G., Nizami, A. S., Murphy, J. D., and Kiely, G. (2010). Effect of thermal, chemical and thermo-chemical pre-treatments to enhance methane production. Energy, 35(12): 4556-4561.
Raposo, F., De la Rubia, M. A., Fernández-Cegrí V., and Borja, R. (2012). Anaerobic digestion of solid organic substrates in batch mode: an overview relating to methane yields and experimental procedures. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(1): 861-877.
Saxena, R. C., Adhikari, D. K., and Goyal, H. B. (2009). Biomass-based energy fuel through biochemical routes: A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. 13(1): 167-178.
Scherzinger, M., and Kaltschmitt, M. (2021). Thermal pre-treatment options to enhance anaerobic digestibility – A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. 137: 110627.
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
American Public Health Association (APHA). (2012). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 22. Washington DC (USA): American Public Health Association/American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation.
Angelidaki, I., Alves, M., Bolzonella, D., Borzacconi, L., Campos, J. L., Guwy, A. J., Kalyuzhnyi, S., Jenicek, P., and Van Lier, J. B. (2009). Defining the biomethane potential (BMP) of solid organic wastes and energy crops: a proposed protocol for batch assays. Water science and technology. 59(5): 927-934.
Ariunbaatar, J., Panico, A., Frunzo, L., Esposito, G., Lens, P. N.,, and Pirozzi, F. (2014). Enhanced anaerobic digestion of food waste by thermal and ozonation pretreatment methods. Journal of environmental management. 146: 142-149.
Barjenbruch, M., & Kopplow, O. (2003). Enzymatic, mechanical and thermal pre-treatment of surplus sludge. Advances in Environmental Research. 7(3): 715-720.
Chynoweth, D.P., Owens, J.M., and Legrand, R. (2001). Renewable methane from anaerobic digestion of biomass. Renewable energy. 22(1-3): 1-8.
Climent, M., Ferrer, I., del Mar Baeza, M., Artola, A., Vázquez, F., and Font, X. (2007). Effects of thermal and mechanical pretreatments of secondary sludge on biogas production under thermophilic conditions. Chemical Engineering Journal.133(1-3): 335-342.
Gupta, P., Singh, R.S., Sachan, A., Vidyarthi, A.S., and Gupta, A. (2012). A re-appraisal on intensification of biogas production. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(7): 4908-4916.
Liu, X., Wang, W., Gao, X., Zhou, Y., and Shen, R. (2012). Effect of thermal pretreatment on the physical and chemical properties of municipal biomass waste. Waste Management. 32(2): 249-255.
Ma, J., Duong, T. H., Smits, M., Verstraete, W., and Carballa, M. (2011). Enhanced biomethanation of kitchen waste by different pre-treatments. Bioresource technology. 102(2): 592-599.
Maghanaki, M.M., Ghobadian, B., Najafi, G., and Galogah, R.J. (2013). Potential of biogas production in Iran. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 28:702-714.
McLeod, J. D., Othman, M. Z., Beale, D. J., and Joshi, D. (2015). The use of laboratory scale reactors to predict sensitivity to changes in operating conditions for full-scale anaerobic digestion treating municipal sewage sludge. Bioresource technology. 189: 384-390.
Neyens, E., and Baeyens, J. (2003). A review of thermal sludge pre-treatment processes to improve dewaterability Journal of hazardous materials. 98(1-3): 51-67.
Pérez-Elvira, S., Fdz-Polanco, M., Plaza, F. I., Garralón, G., & Fdz-Polanco, F. (2009). Ultrasound pre-treatment for anaerobic digestion improvement. Water Science and Technology. 60(6): 1525-1532.
Prorot, A., Julien, L., Christophe, D., and Patrick, L. (2011). Sludge disintegration during heat treatment at low temperature: a better understanding of involved mechanisms with a multiparametric approach. Biochemical engineering journal. 54(3): 178-184.
Rafique, R., Poulsen, T. G., Nizami, A. S., Murphy, J. D., and Kiely, G. (2010). Effect of thermal, chemical and thermo-chemical pre-treatments to enhance methane production. Energy, 35(12): 4556-4561.
Raposo, F., De la Rubia, M. A., Fernández-Cegrí V., and Borja, R. (2012). Anaerobic digestion of solid organic substrates in batch mode: an overview relating to methane yields and experimental procedures. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(1): 861-877.
Saxena, R. C., Adhikari, D. K., and Goyal, H. B. (2009). Biomass-based energy fuel through biochemical routes: A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. 13(1): 167-178.
Scherzinger, M., and Kaltschmitt, M. (2021). Thermal pre-treatment options to enhance anaerobic digestibility – A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. 137: 110627. 
 
 
 
 
Agricultural Mechanization
Volume 6, Issue 1
April 2021
Pages 69-79

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 11 July 2021
  • Accept Date: 11 July 2021

Share

How to cite

Statistics