Three-Stage Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR) for Maximum Methane Production: Effects of COD Loading Rate and Reactor Volumetric Ratio

Achiraya Jiraprasertwong, Kornpong Vichaitanapat, Malinee Leethochawalit and Sumaeth Chavadej
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Achiraya Jiraprasertwong: The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Kornpong Vichaitanapat: The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Malinee Leethochawalit: Innovative Learning Center, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Sumaeth Chavadej: The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: A three-stage anaerobic sequencing batch reactor system was developed as a new anaerobic process with an emphasis on methane production from ethanol wastewater. The three-stage anaerobic sequencing batch reactor system consisted of three bioreactors connected in series. It was operated at 37 °C with a fixed recycle ratio of 1:1 (final effluent flow rate to feed flow rate) and the washout sludge from the third bioreactor present in the final effluent was allowed to be recycled to the first bioreactor. The pH of the first bioreactor was controlled at 5.5, while the pH values of the other two bioreactors were not controlled. Under the optimum chemical oxygen demand loading rate of 18 kg/m 3 d (based on the feed chemical oxygen demand load and total volume of the three bioreactors) with a bioreactor volumetric ratio of 5:5:20, the system provided the highest gas production performance in terms of yields of both hydrogen and methane and the highest overall chemical oxygen demand removal. Interestingly, the three-stage anaerobic sequencing batch reactor system gave a much higher energy production rate and a higher optimum chemical oxygen demand loading rate than previously reported anaerobic systems since it was able to maintain very high microbial concentrations in all bioreactors with very high values of both alkalinity and solution pH, especially in the third bioreactor, resulting in sufficient levels of micronutrients for anaerobic digestion.

Keywords: three-stage anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR); hydrogen and methane production; mesophilic temperature; reactor volumetric ratio (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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