title: Test of an anaerobic prototype reactor coupled with a filtration unit for production of VFAs.
abstract: The artificial ecosystem MELiSSA, supported by the European Space Agency is a closed loop system consisting of 5 compartments in which food, water and oxygen are produced out of organic waste. The first compartment is conceived as a thermophilic anaerobic membrane bioreactor liquefying organic waste into VFAs, ammonium and CO2 without methane. A 20 L reactor was assembled to demonstrate the selected design and process at prototype scale. We characterized system performance from start-up to steady state and evaluated process efficiencies with special attention drawn to the mass balances. An overall efficiency for organic matter biodegradation of 50% was achieved. The dry matter content was stabilized around 40-50 g L(-1) and VFA production around 5-6 g L(-1). The results were consistent for the considered substrate mixture and can also be considered relevant in a broader context, as a first processing step to produce building blocks for synthesis of primary energy vectors.
authors: Institut Pascal, UMR CNRS 6602, Axe Génie des Procédés, Energétique et Biosystèmes, Clermont Université BP 10448, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Poughon
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Creuly
authors: Bérangère
authors: B
authors: Farges
authors: Claude-Gilles
authors: CG
authors: Dussap
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Schiettecatte
authors: Srdjan
authors: S
authors: Jovetic
authors: Heleen
authors: H
authors: De Wever
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism*; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D000641:Ammonia
keywords: Acidification; Organic waste; Thermophilic; VFA production