Title

Using Soybean Derived Crude Glycerol As Co-Digestate in Sewage Sludge Anaerobic Digester to Increase Biogas Production

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

11-18-2014

Conference Name

2014 AIChE Annual Meeting

Abstract

In an effort to convert waste streams to energy in a green process, glycerol from biodiesel manufacturing has been used to increase the gas production and methane content of biogas within a mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion process using primary sewage sludge. Glycerol was systematically added to the primary digester from 0 to 60 percent of the organic loading rate (OLR). The optimum glycerol loading range was from 25% to 60% OLR. This resulted in an 82% to 280% improvement in specific gas production. Following the feeding schedule described, the digesters remained balanced and healthy until inhibition was achieved at 70% glycerol OLR. This suggests that high glycerol loadings are possible if slow additions are upheld in order to allow the bacterial community to adjust properly. Waste water treatment plant operators with anaerobic digesters can use the data to increase loadings and boost biogas production to enhance energy conversion. This process provides a safe, environmentally friendly method to convert a typical waste stream to an energy stream of biogas.

Rights Statement

2014 Copyright © American Institute of Chemical Engineers. All rights reserved.

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