Effect of Temporal Variation in Chemical Composition on Methane Yields of Rendering Plant Wastewater

Erika Conde and Prasad Kaparaju ()
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Erika Conde: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
Prasad Kaparaju: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: The effect of temporal variation in chemical composition on methane yields of rendering plant wastewater was studied in batch experiments at 37 °C. In total, 14 grab samples were collected from Monday through Friday (Day 1 to 5) from a rendering plant located in Queensland, Australia. Each day, three samples were collected: early morning (S1), midday (S2) and afternoon (S3). Chemical analyses showed that a significant different in total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was noticed among the samples. TS content ranged from 0.13% to 1.82% w / w , while VS content was between 0.11% and 1.44% w / w . Among the samples, S2 of Day 3 had the highest COD concentration (10.5 g/L) whilst S1 of Day 1 had the lowest COD (3.75 g/L) and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (149.1 mg/L). In all samples, acetic acid was the dominant VFA and accounted for more than 65–90% of total VFAs. Biochemical methane potential studies showed that the highest methane yield of 270.2 L CH 4 /kgCOD added was obtained from S3 of Day 3. Whilst the lowest methane yield was noticed for S1 of Day 1 (83.7 L CH 4 /kgCOD added ). Results from kinetic modelling showed the modified Grompetz model was best fit than the first order model and a large variation was noticed between the experimental and the modelled data. Time delay ranged from 2.51 to 3.84 d whilst hydrolysis constant values were close to 0.21 d −1 . Thus, the study showed that chemical composition of incoming feed to a biogas plant varies throughout the week and is dependent on the chemical composition of organic materials received and the amount of steam used for rendering process.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; meat processing industry; rendering process wastewater; Australia carbon neutral target (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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