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Performance Characteristics of a Pilot-Scale Electromethanogenic Reactor Treating Brewery Wastewater

Author

Listed:
  • Kyle Bowman

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
    WASE, Unit 1, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP, UK)

  • Marcelo Elaiuy

    (WASE, Unit 1, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP, UK)

  • George Fudge

    (WASE, Unit 1, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP, UK)

  • Harvey Rutland

    (WASE, Unit 1, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP, UK)

  • William Gambier

    (WASE, Unit 1, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP, UK)

  • Theo Hembury

    (Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK)

  • Ben Jobling-Purser

    (WASE, Unit 1, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP, UK)

  • Thomas Fudge

    (WASE, Unit 1, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP, UK)

  • Izzet Kale

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK)

  • Godfrey Kyazze

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK)

Abstract

A pilot-scale (4000 L) continuous flow electromethanogenic reactor (EMR), also known as a microbial electrochemical cell coupled with an anaerobic digester (MEC-AD), treating brewery wastewater was designed and installed at Hepworth’s Brewery, UK. This investigation presents a 4-fold increase in size compared to the next largest pilot-scale MEC-AD system presented in the literature, providing findings to inform the operation of a 52,000 L MEC-AD system (currently under construction). Housed in a 20 ft shipping container, the pilot system features four 1000 L reaction vessels arranged in series, each with a working volume of 900 L. Each reaction vessel contained 8 electrode modules. The system was tested over varying organic loading rates (OLRs), achieved through systematic reductions in hydraulic retention time (HRT). HRTs between 24 and 1.8 days were investigated to align with commercial viability targets. OLRs were observed from 0.4 to 7.5 kgCOD/m 3 /d. A maximum stable OLR of 6.75 kgCOD/m 3 /d at a HRT of 2.3 days was observed while maintaining COD removal of 65 and 88% over the first two vessels. This pilot demonstrated commercially viable performance of an EMR at a brewery, resulting in the purchase of the technology at commercial scale (52,000 L) to form part of a wastewater treatment system.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyle Bowman & Marcelo Elaiuy & George Fudge & Harvey Rutland & William Gambier & Theo Hembury & Ben Jobling-Purser & Thomas Fudge & Izzet Kale & Godfrey Kyazze, 2025. "Performance Characteristics of a Pilot-Scale Electromethanogenic Reactor Treating Brewery Wastewater," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:11:p:2939-:d:1671155
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Theresa Menzel & Peter Neubauer & Stefan Junne, 2020. "Role of Microbial Hydrolysis in Anaerobic Digestion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-29, October.
    2. Jiang-Hao Tian & Rémy Lacroix & Asim Ali Yaqoob & Chrystelle Bureau & Cédric Midoux & Elie Desmond-Le Quéméner & Théodore Bouchez, 2023. "Study of a Pilot Scale Microbial Electrosynthesis Reactor for Organic Waste Biorefinery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Kovalev, Andrey A. & Kovalev, Dmitriy A. & Zhuravleva, Elena A. & Katraeva, Inna V. & Panchenko, Vladimir & Fiore, Ugo & Litti, Yuri V., 2022. "Two-stage anaerobic digestion with direct electric stimulation of methanogenesis: The effect of a physical barrier to retain biomass on the surface of a carbon cloth-based biocathode," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 966-977.
    4. Cristiani, Lorenzo & Leobello, Lorenzo & Zeppilli, Marco & Villano, Marianna, 2023. "Role of C/N ratio in a pilot scale Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) for biomethane production and biogas upgrading," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 355-363.
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