Editorial

3 pages, 194 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Progress and Challenges in Biohydrogen Production

by Joanna Kazimierowicz, Marcin Dębowski and Marcin Zieliński

Energies 2022, 15(15), 5413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15155413 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1118

According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), in order to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, approximately 306 million tonnes of green hydrogen (H₂) must be produced annually [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

4 pages, 175 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production: Innovative Technologies, Research and Development Directions

by Marcin Dębowski and Marcin Zieliński

Energies 2022, 15(6), 2122; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15062122 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1936

Abstract

The development of wastewater treatment methods and the processing of sewage sludge is associated with the search for new, efficient and technologically justified solutions, the use of which will be an alternative to the systems used thus far [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 2515 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biogas Production from Excess Sludge Oxidized with Peracetic Acid (PAA)

by Iwona Zawieja and Małgorzata Worwąg

Energies 2021, 14(12), 3434; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14123434 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1970

Abstract

Human functioning related to living and economic activity involves generating an increasing amount of sewage and sludge, which needs to be subjected to advanced processes of treatment, neutralization, and management. The deterioration in the susceptibility of excess sludge to biochemical decomposition observed under [...] Read more.

Human functioning related to living and economic activity involves generating an increasing amount of sewage and sludge, which needs to be subjected to advanced processes of treatment, neutralization, and management. The deterioration in the susceptibility of excess sludge to biochemical decomposition observed under anaerobic conditions leads to the development and application of highly effective methods of wastewater treatment based on the removal of biogenic compounds using activated sludge, with a high degree of sludge thickening obtained in mechanical facilities. The concentration of volatile fatty acids, being an important intermediate product of anaerobic stabilization, directly determines biogas production efficiency. This study aimed to determine the effect of chemical disintegration with peracetic acid on biogas production efficiency using methane fermentation of pretreated sludge. Intensification of the hydrolysis phase is an important determinant of the efficiency of biochemical sludge decomposition under anaerobic conditions. The association of excess sludge oxidation, initiated by peracetic acid with biological hydrolysis, which is the first phase of methane fermentation, led to an increase in sludge digestion degree and biogas production efficiency. The compound of STERIDIAL W-10, which is an aqueous solution of 10% peracetic acid, 10% acetic acid, and 8% hydrogen peroxide, was used. The disintegration of excess sludge with a reactant dose of 3.0 mL of STERIDIAL W-10/L yielded a specific biogas production of 0.52 L/g VSS and a 74% degree of sludge digestion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 11680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Tannery and Slaughterhouse Wastewater for Solids Reduction and Resource Recovery: Effect of Sulfate Concentration and Inoculum to Substrate Ratio

by Ashton B. Mpofu, Victoria A. Kibangou, Walusungu M. Kaira, Oluwaseun O. Oyekola and Pamela J. Welz

Energies 2021, 14(9), 2491; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14092491 - 27 Apr 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2448

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion is considered unsuitable for the bioremediation of tannery effluent due to process inhibition, mainly due to high concentrations of sulfur species, and the accumulation of

H_{2} S

and/or

{NH}_{3}

. This study using the standardized biochemical methane potential protocol [...] Read more.

Anaerobic digestion is considered unsuitable for the bioremediation of tannery effluent due to process inhibition, mainly due to high concentrations of sulfur species, and the accumulation of

H_{2} S

and/or

{NH}_{3}

. This study using the standardized biochemical methane potential protocol showed that efficient processing is possible with slaughterhouse wastewater, provided sufficient functional biomass is present at the start of the process and the

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

concentration is below inhibition threshold. Methanogenic activity (K = 13.4–17.5 and µm = 0.15–0.27) and

{CH}_{4}

yields were high when reactors were operated ISR ≥ 3 and/or lower

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

≤ 710 mg/L while high

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

≥ 1960 mg/L and ISR < 3.0 caused almost complete inhibition regardless of corresponding ISR and

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

. The theoretical optimum operating conditions (922 mg/L

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

, ISR = 3.72) are expected to generate 361 mL biogas/gVS, 235 mL

{CH}_{4}

/gVS with reduction efficiencies of 27.5% VS, 27.4% TS, 75.1% TOC, 75.6%

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

, and 41.1% COD. This implies that tannery sludge will be reduced by about 27% (dry mass) and

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

by 76%, with a fraction of it recovered as

S_{0}

. The models displayed a perfect fit to the cumulative

{CH}_{4}

yields with high precision in the order Logistic > Cone > modified Gompertz > first order. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 38415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Artificial Neural Networks in Modeling of Dewaterability of Sewage Sludge

by Mariusz Kowalczyk and Tomasz Kamizela

Energies 2021, 14(6), 1552; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14061552 - 11 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1599

Abstract

Mechanical dewatering is a key process in the management of sewage sludge. However, the drainage efficiency depends on a number of factors, from the type and dose of the conditioning agent to the parameters of the drainage device. The selection of appropriate methods [...] Read more.

Mechanical dewatering is a key process in the management of sewage sludge. However, the drainage efficiency depends on a number of factors, from the type and dose of the conditioning agent to the parameters of the drainage device. The selection of appropriate methods and parameters of conditioning and dewatering of sewage sludge is the task of laboratory work. This work can be accelerated through the use of artificial neural network (ANNs). The paper discusses the possibilities of using ANNs in predicting the dewatering efficiency of physically conditioned sludge. The input variables were only four parameters characterizing the conditioning methods and the dewatering method by centrifugation. These were the dose of the sludge skeleton builders (cement, gypsum, fly ash, and liquid glass), sonication parameters (sonication amplitude and time), and relative centrifugal force. Dewatering efficiency parameters such as sludge hydration and separation factor were output variables. Due to the nature of the research problem, two nonlinear networks were selected: a multilayer perceptron and a radial neural network. Based on the results of the prediction of artificial neural networks, it was found that these networks can be used to forecast the effectiveness of municipal sludge dewatering. The prediction error did not exceed 1.0% of the real value. ANN can therefore be useful in optimizing the dewatering process. In the case of the conducted research, it was the optimization of the sludge dewatering efficiency as a function of the type and parameters of conditioning factors. Therefore, it is possible to predict the dewatering efficiency of sludge that has not been tested in the laboratory, for example, with the use of other doses of physical conditioner. However, the condition for correct prediction and optimization was the use of a large dataset in the neural network training process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Static Magnetic Field on Methanogenesis in the Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Sewage Sludge

by Marcin Zieliński, Marcin Dębowski and Joanna Kazimierowicz

Energies 2021, 14(3), 590; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14030590 - 24 Jan 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3041

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effect of a 17.6 mT static magnetic field (SMF) on the efficiency of anaerobic digestion (AD) of municipal sewage sludge (MSS). The SMF had a significant impact on methane (CH₄) production efficiency, the levels [...] Read more.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of a 17.6 mT static magnetic field (SMF) on the efficiency of anaerobic digestion (AD) of municipal sewage sludge (MSS). The SMF had a significant impact on methane (CH₄) production efficiency, the levels of fermentation rate (η_FMSS) vs. removal rate (ηVS), and the structure of the anaerobic bacteria consortium, but it did not affect cumulative biogas production. The highest CH₄ yield (431 ± 22 dm³_CH4/kgVS) and the highest methane content in the biogas (66.1% ± 1.9%) were found in the variant in which the SMF exposure time was 144 min/day. This variant also produced the highest η_FMSS and ηVS values, reaching 73.8% ± 2.3% and ηVS 36.9% ± 1.6%, respectively. Longer anaerobic sludge retention time in the SMF area significantly decreased AD efficiency and caused a significant reduction in the number of methanogens in the anaerobic bacteria community. The lowest values were observed for SMF exposure time of 432 min/day, which produced only 54.8 ± 1.9% CH₄ in the biogas. A pronounced reduction was recorded in the Archaea (ARC915) and Methanosaeta (MX825) populations in the anaerobic sludge, i.e., to 20% ± 11% and 6% ± 2%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Low-Temperature Conditioning of Excess Dairy Sewage Sludge with the Use of Solidified Carbon Dioxide on the Efficiency of Methane Fermentation

by Joanna Kazimierowicz, Izabela Bartkowska and Maria Walery

Energies 2021, 14(1), 150; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14010150 - 30 Dec 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2212

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of the low-temperature conditioning of excess dairy sewage sludge using solidified carbon dioxide on the efficiency of methane fermentation. An increase in the solidified carbon dioxide to excess dairy sewage sludge volumetric ratio above 0.3 had [...] Read more.

This study aimed to determine the effect of the low-temperature conditioning of excess dairy sewage sludge using solidified carbon dioxide on the efficiency of methane fermentation. An increase in the solidified carbon dioxide to excess dairy sewage sludge volumetric ratio above 0.3 had no significant effect on chemical oxygen demand concentration in the dissolved phase. The highest chemical oxygen demand values, ranging from 490.6 ± 12.9 to 510.5 ± 28.5 mg·dm⁻³, were determined at solidified carbon dioxide to excess dairy sewage sludge ratio ranging from 0.3 to 0.5. The low-temperature conditioning caused ammonia nitrogen concentration to increase from 155.2 ± 10.2 to 185.9 ± 11.1 mg·dm⁻³ and orthophosphates concentration to increase from 198.5 ± 23.1 to 300.6 ± 35.9 mg·dm⁻³ in the dissolved phase. The highest unitary amount of biogas, reaching 630.2 ± 45.5 cm³·g o.d.m.⁻¹, was produced in the variant with the solidified carbon dioxide to excess dairy sewage sludge volumetric ratio of 0.3. Methane content of the biogas produced was at 68.7 ± 1.5%. Increased solidified carbon dioxide dose did not lead to any significant changes in biogas and methane production. The efficiency of biogas production from unconditioned excess dairy sewage sludge was lower by 43.0 ± 3.2%. The analysis demonstrated that the low-temperature conditioning is an energetic viable technology aiding the methane fermentation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3912 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Technological Effectiveness of Sugar-Industry Effluent Methane Fermentation in a Fluidized Active Filling Reactor (FAF-R)

by Marcin Dębowski and Marcin Zieliński

Energies 2020, 13(24), 6626; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13246626 - 15 Dec 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2320

Abstract

Technological solutions allowing the increase of the technological efficiency of anaerobic methods of wastewater treatment are still under investigation. The weaknesses of these solutions can be limited by the use of active fillings. The aim of the present study was to determine the [...] Read more.

Technological solutions allowing the increase of the technological efficiency of anaerobic methods of wastewater treatment are still under investigation. The weaknesses of these solutions can be limited by the use of active fillings. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of fluidized active filling on the effectiveness of anaerobic treatment of sugar-industry effluent, the production efficiency and the qualitative composition of the biogas produced. High, comparable (p = 0.05) effluent treatment results were observed at tested organic load rates between 4.0 and 6.0 kg COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)/m³·d. The COD removal rate reached over 74%, biogas yields ranged from 356 ± 25 to 427 ± 14 dm³/kg COD_removed and the average methane contents were approximately 70%. A significant decrease in effluent treatment efficiency and methane fermentation was observed after increasing the organic load rate to 8.0 kg COD/m³·d, which correlated with decreased pH and FOS/TAC (volatile organic acid and buffer capacity ratio) increased to 0.44 ± 0.2. The use of fluidized active filling led to phosphorus removal with an efficiency ranged from 64.4 ± 2.4 to 81.2 ± 8.2% depending on the stage. Low concentration of total suspended solids in the treated effluent was also observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 2515 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of Electric Energy Consumption during Dairy Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation

by Radosław Żyłka, Wojciech Dąbrowski, Paweł Malinowski and Beata Karolinczak

Energies 2020, 13(15), 3769; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13153769 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2210

Abstract

The intensification of biological wastewater treatment requires the high usage of electric energy, mainly for aeration processes. Publications on energy consumption have been mostly related to municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The aim of the research was to elaborate on models for the [...] Read more.

The intensification of biological wastewater treatment requires the high usage of electric energy, mainly for aeration processes. Publications on energy consumption have been mostly related to municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The aim of the research was to elaborate on models for the estimation of energy consumption during dairy WWTP operation. These models can be used for the optimization of electric energy consumption. The research was conducted in a dairy WWTP, operating with dissolved air flotation (DAF) and an activated sludge system. Energy consumption was measured with the help of three-phase network parameter transducers and a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The obtained models provided accurate predictions of DAF, biological treatment, and the overall WWTP energy consumption using chemical oxygen demand (COD), sewage flow, and air temperature. Using the energy consumption of the biological treatment as an independent variable, as well as air temperature, it is possible to estimate the variability of the total electric energy consumption. During the summer period, an increase in the organic load (expressed as COD) discharged into the biological treatment causes higher electric energy consumption in the whole dairy WWTP. Hence, it is recommended to increase the efficiency of the removal of organic pollutants in the DAF process. An application for the estimation of energy consumption was created. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Production

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (9 papers)

Editorial

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI