title: Experimental study on a coupled process of production and anaerobic digestion of Chlorella vulgaris.
abstract: The main goal of this present study is to investigate the feasibility of coupling algae production (Chlorella vulgaris) to an anaerobic digestion unit. An intermediate settling device was integrated in order to adapt the feed-flow concentration and the flow rate. Digestion of C. vulgaris was studied under 16 and 28 days hydraulic retention times (HRT), with a corresponding organic loading rate of 1g(COD)L(-1). Increasing the HRT achieved 51% COD removal with a methane production measured at 240 mL g(VSS)(-1). Performing different HRTs and dynamic monitoring during degradation highlighted differential hydrolysis of microalgae compartments. However, 50% of the biomass did not undergo anaerobic digestion, even under long retention times. This points out the interest for further studies on pre-treatment performances and more generally speaking on the need for intensifying microalgae biomass digestion.
authors.affiliation: INRA, UR50, Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement, Avenue des Etangs, 11000 Narbonne, France.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ras
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lardon
authors.forename: Sialve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bernet
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Steyer
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D002138:Calibration; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005285:Fermentation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D058086:Microalgae; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D000641:Ammonia; D008697:Methane; D010100:Oxygen