Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6769019 | Renewable Energy | 2014 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
A slow start-up period of approximately 200 days was observed, but increased leachate recirculation rates (from 0.04 to >0.14Â m3/m3straw-d) resulted in increased gas production that initiated the microbial growth phase in the digestion cycle. Although sufficient buffering capacity as well as macro- and micronutrients were supplied to the system by the pig wastewater, an overall straw (dry wt.) to wastewater ratio (wet wt.) of 1 to 1.4 is recommended to improve gas production and decrease the acclimation period. A raw economic assessment of the system shows an investment recovery time of 8.3 years. Improvements such as continuous leachate recirculation, a more efficient heat exchange system to maintain mesophilic conditions year round, and periodic addition of fresh wastewater and sludge acclimated to lignocellulosic material are recommended to achieve a more sustainable and profitable system.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Authors
Wendy Mussoline, Giovanni Esposito, Piet Lens, Gilberto Garuti, Andrea Giordano,