Design of experiments to assess pre-treatment and co-digestion strategies that optimize biogas production from macroalgae Gracilaria vermiculophylla.
A design of experiments was applied to evaluate different strategies to enhance the methane yield of macroalgae Gracilaria vermiculophylla. Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) of G. vermiculophylla after physical pre-treatment (washing and maceration) reached 481±9 L CH4 kg(-1) VS, corresponding to a methane yield of 79±2%. No significant effects were achieved in the BMP after thermochemical pre-treatment, although the seaweeds solubilisation increased up to 44%. Co-digestion with glycerol or sewage sludge has proved to be effective for increasing the methane production. Addition of 2% glycerol (w:w) increased the BMP by 18%, achieving almost complete methanation of the substrate (96±3%). Co-digestion of seaweed and secondary sludge (15:85%, TS/TS) increased the BMP by 25% (605±4 L CH4 kg(-1) VS) compared to the seaweed individual digestion.
CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
J V
JV
Oliveira
CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
M M
MM
Alves
CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: carloscosta@deb.uminho.pt.
J C
JC
Costa
D000693:Anaerobiosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental / Q000187:drug effects; D056804:Biofuels; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012624:Seaweed / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D056804:Biofuels; D012722:Sewage; D008697:Methane; D005990:Glycerol
Algae; Glycerol; Gracilaria sp.; Pre-treatment; Sewage sludge