The Influence of Co-Fermentation of Agri-Food Waste with Primary Sludge on Biogas Production and Composition of the Liquid Fraction of Digestate

Anna Wilinska-Lisowska, Monika Ossowska and Krzysztof Czerwionka
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Anna Wilinska-Lisowska: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Monika Ossowska: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Krzysztof Czerwionka: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: Energy self-sufficiency is a current trend in wastewater treatment plants. This effect can be achieved by increasing the production of electricity from biogas and by reducing energy consumption for technological processes. One idea, in line with the circular economy concept, is the use of waste rich in organic matter as co-substrates for the fermentation process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of waste co-fermentation on biogas production and nitrogen concentration in the reject water. A co-fermentation process with flotate or flotate and vegetables increased biogas production compared to primary sludge by 162 and 180%, respectively. During the tests, there was no inhibition of the fermentation process. Hydrolysis of organic compounds contained in flotate and vegetables resulted in a significant increase in ammonium nitrogen (by 80–100%) and dissolved organic nitrogen concentration (by 170–180%). The biogas and methane production rate as well as the ammonium and total nitrogen release rate were calculated. An energy balance was made, which took into account the variable amount of electric energy production depending on the efficiency of the cogeneration systems and energy consumption for supplying oxygen necessary to remove nitrogen contained in the reject water. A positive energy balance was obtained for all analyses.

Keywords: biogas plant; wastewater treatment plant; co-fermentation; organic nitrogen fractionation; energy balance (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: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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