IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v227y2018icp64-72.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Co-digestion of sewage sludge and microalgae – Biogas production investigations

Author

Listed:
  • Thorin, Eva
  • Olsson, Jesper
  • Schwede, Sebastian
  • Nehrenheim, Emma

Abstract

In municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), algae could be utilised for cleaning the water and, at the same time, produce a biomass that can be used for energy. Through anaerobic digestion, microalgae can contribute to biogas production when co-digested with sewage sludge. In this paper, previous published results on the co-digestion of sewage sludge and microalgae are summarised and reviewed, and any remaining knowledge gaps are identified. The batch tests currently documented in literature mostly concern digestion under mesophilic conditions, and studies investigating thermophilic conditions are less common. The average biochemical methane potential (BMP) for 29 different mixtures co-digested under mesophilic conditions is 317±101Ncm3 CH4 gVS−1 while the result for 12 different mixtures investigated under thermophilic conditions is a BMP of 318±60Ncm3 CH4gVS−1. An evaluation of the heat required for increasing the temperature from mesophilic to thermophilic conditions shows that increased methane production under thermophilic conditions can be enough to create a positive energy balance. For a full-scale WWTP, using thermophilic digestion on sludge, or a combination of sludge and microalgae could therefore be of interest. This is dependent on the demands on sanitation of the sludge and the possibilities for heat recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Thorin, Eva & Olsson, Jesper & Schwede, Sebastian & Nehrenheim, Emma, 2018. "Co-digestion of sewage sludge and microalgae – Biogas production investigations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 64-72.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:227:y:2018:i:c:p:64-72
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.085
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261917311054
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.085?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Frigon, Jean-Claude & Matteau-Lebrun, Frédérique & Hamani Abdou, Rekia & McGinn, Patrick J. & O’Leary, Stephen J.B. & Guiot, Serge R., 2013. "Screening microalgae strains for their productivity in methane following anaerobic digestion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 100-107.
    2. Caporgno, M.P. & Trobajo, R. & Caiola, N. & Ibáñez, C. & Fabregat, A. & Bengoa, C., 2015. "Biogas production from sewage sludge and microalgae co-digestion under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 374-380.
    3. Singh, Anoop & Olsen, Stig Irving, 2011. "A critical review of biochemical conversion, sustainability and life cycle assessment of algal biofuels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3548-3555.
    4. Chen, Guanyi & Zhao, Liu & Qi, Yun, 2015. "Enhancing the productivity of microalgae cultivated in wastewater toward biofuel production: A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 282-291.
    5. Yan, Cheng & Muñoz, Raúl & Zhu, Liandong & Wang, Yanxin, 2016. "The effects of various LED (light emitting diode) lighting strategies on simultaneous biogas upgrading and biogas slurry nutrient reduction by using of microalgae Chlorella sp," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 554-561.
    6. Odlare, M. & Nehrenheim, E. & Ribé, V. & Thorin, E. & Gavare, M. & Grube, M., 2011. "Cultivation of algae with indigenous species – Potentials for regional biofuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3280-3285.
    7. Passos, Fabiana & Solé, Maria & García, Joan & Ferrer, Ivet, 2013. "Biogas production from microalgae grown in wastewater: Effect of microwave pretreatment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 168-175.
    8. Jonker, J.G.G. & Faaij, A.P.C., 2013. "Techno-economic assessment of micro-algae as feedstock for renewable bio-energy production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 461-475.
    9. Zhu, Liandong, 2015. "Biorefinery as a promising approach to promote microalgae industry: An innovative framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1376-1384.
    10. Cheah, Wai Yan & Ling, Tau Chuan & Show, Pau Loke & Juan, Joon Ching & Chang, Jo-Shu & Lee, Duu-Jong, 2016. "Cultivation in wastewaters for energy: A microalgae platform," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 609-625.
    11. Yan, Cheng & Zhu, Liandong & Wang, Yanxin, 2016. "Photosynthetic CO2 uptake by microalgae for biogas upgrading and simultaneously biogas slurry decontamination by using of microalgae photobioreactor under various light wavelengths, light intensities,," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 9-18.
    12. Selvaratnam, Thinesh & Pegallapati, Ambica & Montelya, Felly & Rodriguez, Gabriela & Nirmalakhandan, Nagamany & Lammers, Peter J. & van Voorhies, Wayne, 2015. "Feasibility of algal systems for sustainable wastewater treatment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 71-76.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Beckinghausen, Aubrey & Odlare, Monica & Thorin, Eva & Schwede, Sebastian, 2020. "From removal to recovery: An evaluation of nitrogen recovery techniques from wastewater," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    2. Ombretta Paladino, 2022. "Data Driven Modelling and Control Strategies to Improve Biogas Quality and Production from High Solids Anaerobic Digestion: A Mini Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
    3. Solé-Bundó, Maria & Passos, Fabiana & Romero-Güiza, Maycoll S. & Ferrer, Ivet & Astals, Sergi, 2019. "Co-digestion strategies to enhance microalgae anaerobic digestion: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 471-482.
    4. Francesco Facchini & Giovanni Mummolo & Micaela Vitti, 2021. "Scenario Analysis for Selecting Sewage Sludge-to-Energy/Matter Recovery Processes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Giovanni Gadaleta & Sabino De Gisi & Michele Notarnicola, 2021. "Feasibility Analysis on the Adoption of Decentralized Anaerobic Co-Digestion for the Treatment of Municipal Organic Waste with Energy Recovery in Urban Districts of Metropolitan Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    6. Xia, Ao & Sun, Chihe & Fu, Qian & Liao, Qiang & Huang, Yun & Zhu, Xun & Li, Qing, 2020. "Biofuel production from wet microalgae biomass: Comparison of physicochemical properties and extraction performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    7. Giovanni Gadaleta & Francesco Todaro & Annamaria Giuliano & Sabino De Gisi & Michele Notarnicola, 2024. "Co-Treatment of Food Waste and Municipal Sewage Sludge: Technical and Environmental Review of Biological and Thermal Technologies," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-34, July.
    8. Villamil, J.A. & Mohedano, A.F. & San Martín, J. & Rodriguez, J.J. & de la Rubia, M.A., 2020. "Anaerobic co-digestion of the process water from waste activated sludge hydrothermally treated with primary sewage sludge. A new approach for sewage sludge management," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 435-443.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zabed, Hossain M. & Akter, Suely & Yun, Junhua & Zhang, Guoyan & Zhang, Yufei & Qi, Xianghui, 2020. "Biogas from microalgae: Technologies, challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    2. Du, Xinrui & Tao, Yi & Li, Huan & Liu, Yueling & Feng, Kai, 2019. "Synergistic methane production from the anaerobic co-digestion of Spirulina platensis with food waste and sewage sludge at high solid concentrations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 55-61.
    3. Prajapati, Sanjeev Kumar & Malik, Anushree & Vijay, Virendra Kumar, 2014. "Comparative evaluation of biomass production and bioenergy generation potential of Chlorella spp. through anaerobic digestion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 790-797.
    4. Sandra Lage & Zivan Gojkovic & Christiane Funk & Francesco G. Gentili, 2018. "Algal Biomass from Wastewater and Flue Gases as a Source of Bioenergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-30, March.
    5. Wieczorek, Nils & Kucuker, Mehmet Ali & Kuchta, Kerstin, 2014. "Fermentative hydrogen and methane production from microalgal biomass (Chlorella vulgaris) in a two-stage combined process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 108-117.
    6. Sibi G, 2018. "Bioenergy Production from Wastes by Microalgae as Sustainable Approach for Waste Management and to Reduce Resources Depletion," International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 13(3), pages 77-80, July.
    7. Mendez, Lara & Mahdy, Ahmed & Ballesteros, Mercedes & González-Fernández, Cristina, 2014. "Methane production of thermally pretreated Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus sp. biomass at increasing biomass loads," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 238-242.
    8. Visva Bharati Barua & Mariya Munir, 2021. "A Review on Synchronous Microalgal Lipid Enhancement and Wastewater Treatment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-20, November.
    9. Khan, Muhammad Usman & Lee, Jonathan Tian En & Bashir, Muhammad Aamir & Dissanayake, Pavani Dulanja & Ok, Yong Sik & Tong, Yen Wah & Shariati, Mohammad Ali & Wu, Sarah & Ahring, Birgitte Kiaer, 2021. "Current status of biogas upgrading for direct biomethane use: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    10. Watanabe, Hideo & Li, Dalin & Nakagawa, Yoshinao & Tomishige, Keiichi & Kaya, Kunimitsu & Watanabe, Makoto M., 2014. "Characterization of oil-extracted residue biomass of Botryococcus braunii as a biofuel feedstock and its pyrolytic behavior," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 475-484.
    11. Sastre, C.M. & Maletta, E. & González-Arechavala, Y. & Ciria, P. & Santos, A.M. & del Val, A. & Pérez, P. & Carrasco, J., 2014. "Centralised electricity production from winter cereals biomass grown under central-northern Spain conditions: Global warming and energy yield assessments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 737-748.
    12. Zheng, Lei & Cheng, Shikun & Han, Yanzhao & Wang, Min & Xiang, Yue & Guo, Jiali & Cai, Di & Mang, Heinz-Peter & Dong, Taili & Li, Zifu & Yan, Zhengxu & Men, Yu, 2020. "Bio-natural gas industry in China: Current status and development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    13. Chen, Hui & Wang, Jie & Zheng, Yanli & Zhan, Jiao & He, Chenliu & Wang, Qiang, 2018. "Algal biofuel production coupled bioremediation of biomass power plant wastes based on Chlorella sp. C2 cultivation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 296-305.
    14. Jacob, Amita & Xia, Ao & Murphy, Jerry D., 2015. "A perspective on gaseous biofuel production from micro-algae generated from CO2 from a coal-fired power plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 396-402.
    15. Bai, Xue & Lant, Paul A. & Jensen, Paul D. & Astals, Sergi & Pratt, Steven, 2016. "Enhanced methane production from algal digestion using free nitrous acid pre-treatment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 383-390.
    16. Yang, Qiulian & Li, Haitao & Wang, Dong & Zhang, Xiaochun & Guo, Xiangqian & Pu, Shaochen & Guo, Ruixin & Chen, Jianqiu, 2020. "Utilization of chemical wastewater for CO2 emission reduction: Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) wastewater-mediated culture of microalgae for CO2 bio-capture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    17. Roberts, Keiron P. & Heaven, Sonia & Banks, Charles J., 2016. "Comparative testing of energy yields from micro-algal biomass cultures processed via anaerobic digestion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(P1), pages 744-753.
    18. Zhang, Lijie & Cheng, Juan & Pei, Haiyan & Pan, Jianqiang & Jiang, Liqun & Hou, Qingjie & Han, Fei, 2018. "Cultivation of microalgae using anaerobically digested effluent from kitchen waste as a nutrient source for biodiesel production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 276-287.
    19. Wantz, Eliot & Benizri, David & Dietrich, Nicolas & Hébrard, Gilles, 2022. "Rate-based modeling approach for High Pressure Water Scrubbing with unsteady gas flowrate and multicomponent absorption applied to biogas upgrading," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    20. Zhu, Liandong & Nugroho, Y.K. & Shakeel, S.R. & Li, Zhaohua & Martinkauppi, B. & Hiltunen, E., 2017. "Using microalgae to produce liquid transportation biodiesel: What is next?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 391-400.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:227:y:2018:i:c:p:64-72. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.