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Inhibition during Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Aqueous Pyrolysis Liquid from Wastewater Solids and Synthetic Primary Sludge

Author

Listed:
  • Saba Seyedi

    (Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Marquette University, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA)

  • Kaushik Venkiteshwaran

    (Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Marquette University, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA)

  • Nicholas Benn

    (Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Marquette University, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA)

  • Daniel Zitomer

    (Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Marquette University, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA)

Abstract

Pyrolysis can convert wastewater solids into useful byproducts such as pyrolysis gas (py-gas), bio-oil and biochar. However, pyrolysis also yields organic-rich aqueous pyrolysis liquid (APL), which presently has no beneficial use. Autocatalytic pyrolysis can beneficially increase py-gas production and eliminate bio-oil; however, APL is still generated. This study aimed to utilize APLs derived from conventional and autocatalytic wastewater solids pyrolysis as co-digestates to produce biomethane. Results showed that digester performance was not reduced when conventional APL was co-digested. Despite having a lower phenolics concentration, catalyzed APL inhibited methane production more than conventional APL and microbial community analysis revealed a concomitant reduction in acetoclastic Methanosaeta . Long-term (over 500-day) co-digestion of conventional APL with synthetic primary sludge was performed at different APL organic loading rates (OLRs). Acclimation resulted in a doubling of biomass tolerance to APL toxicity. However, at OLRs higher than 0.10 gCOD/L r -d (COD = chemical oxygen demand, L r = liter of reactor), methane production was inhibited. In conclusion, conventional APL COD was stoichiometrically converted to methane in quasi steady state, semi-continuous fed co-digesters at OLR ≤ 0.10 gCOD/L r -d. Undetected organic compounds in the catalyzed APL ostensibly inhibited anaerobic digestion. Strategies such as use of specific acclimated inoculum, addition of biochar to the digester and pretreatment to remove toxicants may improve future APL digestion efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Saba Seyedi & Kaushik Venkiteshwaran & Nicholas Benn & Daniel Zitomer, 2020. "Inhibition during Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Aqueous Pyrolysis Liquid from Wastewater Solids and Synthetic Primary Sludge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3441-:d:349350
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fonts, Isabel & Gea, Gloria & Azuara, Manuel & Ábrego, Javier & Arauzo, Jesús, 2012. "Sewage sludge pyrolysis for liquid production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 2781-2805.
    2. Yu, Xiunan & Zhang, Congguang & Qiu, Ling & Yao, Yiqing & Sun, Guotao & Guo, Xiaohui, 2020. "Anaerobic digestion of swine manure using aqueous pyrolysis liquid as an additive," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 2484-2493.
    3. Li, Hongyu & Xu, Qingli & Xue, Hanshen & Yan, Yongjie, 2009. "Catalytic reforming of the aqueous phase derived from fast-pyrolysis of biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(12), pages 2872-2877.
    4. Liu, Zhongzhe & Singer, Simcha & Tong, Yiran & Kimbell, Lee & Anderson, Erik & Hughes, Matthew & Zitomer, Daniel & McNamara, Patrick, 2018. "Characteristics and applications of biochars derived from wastewater solids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 650-664.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vincenzo Torretta & Athanasia K. Tolkou & Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis & Francesca Maria Caccamo & Marco Carnevale Miino & Marco Baldi & Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, 2021. "Enhancement of Methanogenic Activity in Volumetrically Undersized Reactor by Mesophilic Co-Digestion of Sewage Sludge and Aqueous Residue," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Liu, Zhongzhe & Hughes, Matthew & Tong, Yiran & Zhou, Jizhi & Kreutter, William & Valtierra, Danny & Singer, Simcha & Zitomer, Daniel & McNamara, Patrick, 2021. "Enhanced energy and resource recovery via synergistic catalytic pyrolysis of byproducts from thermal processing of wastewater solids," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 475-481.

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